Deuteronomy 19:16
New International Version
If a malicious witness takes the stand to accuse someone of a crime,

New Living Translation
“If a malicious witness comes forward and accuses someone of a crime,

English Standard Version
If a malicious witness arises to accuse a person of wrongdoing,

Berean Standard Bible
If a false witness testifies against someone, accusing him of a crime,

King James Bible
If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong;

New King James Version
If a false witness rises against any man to testify against him of wrongdoing,

New American Standard Bible
If a malicious witness rises up against a person to testify against him of wrongdoing,

NASB 1995
“If a malicious witness rises up against a man to accuse him of wrongdoing,

NASB 1977
“If a malicious witness rises up against a man to accuse him of wrongdoing,

Legacy Standard Bible
If a malicious witness rises up against a man to accuse him of wrongdoing,

Amplified Bible
If a malicious witness rises up against a man to [falsely] accuse him of wrongdoing,

Christian Standard Bible
“If a malicious witness testifies against someone accusing him of a crime,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
If a malicious witness testifies against someone accusing him of a crime,

American Standard Version
If an unrighteous witness rise up against any man to testify against him of wrong-doing,

Contemporary English Version
If you accuse someone of a crime, but seem to be lying,

English Revised Version
If an unrighteous witness rise up against any man to testify against him of wrong-doing;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
This is what you must do whenever a witness takes the stand to accuse a person falsely of a crime.

Good News Translation
If any of you try to harm another by false accusations,

International Standard Version
When a malicious witness takes the stand against a man and accuses him,

Majority Standard Bible
If a false witness testifies against someone, accusing him of a crime,

NET Bible
If a false witness testifies against another person and accuses him of a crime,

New Heart English Bible
If an unrighteous witness rise up against any man to testify against him of wrongdoing,

Webster's Bible Translation
If a false witness shall rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong;

World English Bible
If an unrighteous witness rises up against any man to testify against him of wrongdoing,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
When a violent witness rises against a man to testify against him apostasy,

Young's Literal Translation
'When a violent witness doth rise against a man, to testify against him apostasy,

Smith's Literal Translation
If a witness of wrong shall rise up against a man to testify apostasy against him;
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
If a lying witness stand against a man, accusing him of transgression,

Catholic Public Domain Version
If a lying witness will have stood against a man, accusing him of a transgression,

New American Bible
If a hostile witness rises against someone to accuse that person of wrongdoing,

New Revised Standard Version
If a malicious witness comes forward to accuse someone of wrongdoing,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
If a false witness rise up against any man, and testify against him that which is wrong;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And if a false witness shall arise against a man and will testify evil against him;
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
If an unrighteous witness rise up against any man to bear perverted witness against him;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And if an unjust witness rise up against a man, alleging iniquity against him;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Testimony of Two or Three Witnesses
15A lone witness is not sufficient to establish any wrongdoing or sin against a man, regardless of what offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. 16If a false witness testifies against someone, accusing him of a crime, 17both parties to the dispute must stand in the presence of the LORD, before the priests and judges who are in office at that time.…

Cross References
Exodus 23:1
“You shall not spread a false report. Do not join the wicked by being a malicious witness.

Proverbs 19:5
A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape.

Proverbs 19:9
A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who pours out lies will perish.

Proverbs 25:18
Like a club or sword or sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor.

Psalm 27:12
Do not hand me over to the will of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence.

Psalm 35:11
Hostile witnesses come forward; they make charges I know nothing about.

Leviticus 19:16
You must not go about spreading slander among your people. You must not endanger the life of your neighbor. I am the LORD.

Zechariah 8:17
do not plot evil in your hearts against your neighbor, and do not love to swear falsely, for I hate all these things,” declares the LORD.

1 Kings 21:10-13
But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them testify, ‘You have cursed both God and the king!’ Then take him out and stone him to death.” / So the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth’s city did as Jezebel had instructed in the letters she had written to them. / They proclaimed a fast and gave Naboth a seat of honor among the people. ...

Jeremiah 9:3-5
“They bend their tongues like bows; lies prevail over truth in the land. For they proceed from evil to evil, and they do not take Me into account,” declares the LORD. / “Let everyone guard against his neighbor; do not trust any brother, for every brother deals craftily, and every friend spreads slander. / Each one betrays his friend; no one tells the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they wear themselves out committing iniquity.

Matthew 26:59-61
Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking false testimony against Jesus in order to put Him to death. / But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward / and declared, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”

Mark 14:55-59
Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but they did not find any. / For many bore false witness against Jesus, but their testimony was inconsistent. / Then some men stood up and testified falsely against Him: ...

Acts 6:11-13
Then they prompted some men to say, “We heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.” / So they stirred up the people, elders, and scribes and confronted Stephen. They seized him and brought him before the Sanhedrin, / where they presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law.

1 Timothy 5:19
Do not entertain an accusation against an elder, except on the testimony of two or three witnesses.

Matthew 18:16
But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’


Treasury of Scripture

If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong;

a false witness

Exodus 23:1-7
Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness…

1 Kings 21:10-13
And set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And then carry him out, and stone him, that he may die…

Psalm 27:12
Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.

that which is wrong.

Jump to Previous
Accuse Apostacy Bear Crime Makes Malicious Offence Perverted Rise Rises Stand Statement Testify Unrighteous Violent Witness Wrong Wrongdoing Wrong-Doing
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Accuse Apostacy Bear Crime Makes Malicious Offence Perverted Rise Rises Stand Statement Testify Unrighteous Violent Witness Wrong Wrongdoing Wrong-Doing
Deuteronomy 19
1. The cities of refuge
4. The privilege thereof for the manslayer
14. The landmark is not to be removed
15. At least two witnesses are required
16. the punishment of a false witness














If a false witness testifies against someone,
In the context of ancient Israel, the integrity of the judicial system was paramount. The law given through Moses emphasized truthfulness and justice, reflecting God's character. False testimony was a serious offense because it could lead to unjust punishment or even death. The Ninth Commandment, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor" (Exodus 20:16), underscores the importance of truth. The community was responsible for maintaining justice, and false witnesses threatened the social order and covenant relationship with God.

accusing him of a crime,
The Hebrew legal system required at least two or three witnesses to establish a matter (Deuteronomy 19:15). This requirement was designed to protect individuals from false accusations and ensure that justice was served. Accusations of crimes, especially those punishable by death, needed to be thoroughly investigated. The principle of "an eye for an eye" (Exodus 21:24) was intended to ensure that the punishment fit the crime, but false accusations could subvert this justice. This passage foreshadows the trial of Jesus Christ, where false witnesses were brought against Him (Mark 14:56-59), highlighting the ultimate miscarriage of justice and fulfilling the prophecy of the suffering servant (Isaiah 53:7-9).

Persons / Places / Events
1. False Witness
An individual who deliberately provides untrue testimony against another person, potentially leading to unjust consequences.

2. Accused Person
The individual who is the subject of the false testimony, facing potential punishment for a crime they may not have committed.

3. Israelite Community
The broader context in which these laws were given, emphasizing justice and righteousness within the community.

4. Judicial System of Ancient Israel
The system established by God through Moses to ensure justice, including the role of judges and the process of legal proceedings.

5. Moses
The leader and lawgiver of Israel, through whom God delivered these laws to guide the community in righteousness.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Truthfulness
Truth is foundational to justice and community integrity. Upholding truth prevents the miscarriage of justice and maintains trust within the community.

The Role of Witnesses in Justice
Witnesses hold significant power in legal proceedings. Their integrity is crucial to ensuring fair outcomes and protecting the innocent.

God's Hatred of Falsehood
God detests falsehood and deceit, as they are contrary to His nature. Believers are called to reflect God's truthfulness in their lives.

The Consequences of False Testimony
False testimony can lead to severe consequences, not only for the accused but also for the community's moral fabric. It is a serious offense with spiritual and social repercussions.

The Call to Righteousness
Believers are called to pursue righteousness and justice, ensuring that their words and actions align with God's standards.Verse 16. - To testify against him that which is wrong; literally, to testify against him defection, i.e. from the Law of God. The speaker has apparently in view here all such defections from the Law as would entail punishment on the convicted offender. In Deuteronomy 13:5 [6], indeed, the crime described here as "that which is wrong" (margin, "falling away") is specially the crime of apostasy to idolatry; but the word (סָרָה), though usually expressing apostasy from Jehovah, has properly the general sense of a deflection from a prescribed course (from סוּר, to go off, to go aside), and so may describe any departure from what is constituted right.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
If
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

a false
חָמָ֖ס (ḥā·mās)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2555: Violence, wrong, by meton, unjust gain

witness
עֵד־ (‘êḏ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5707: A witness, testimony, a recorder, prince

testifies
לַעֲנ֥וֹת (la·‘ă·nō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6030: To answer, respond

against someone,
בְּאִ֑ישׁ (bə·’îš)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

accusing him of a crime,
סָרָֽה׃ (sā·rāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5627: Turning aside, defection, apostasy, withdrawal


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OT Law: Deuteronomy 19:16 If an unrighteous witness rise up against (Deut. De Du)
Deuteronomy 19:15
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