Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Deuteronomy 19:16
If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him [that which is] wrong;
16. But if ] So Sam. LXX.
unrighteous witness ] Heb. witness of violence. So E, Exo 23:1, and Psa 35:11, apparently one who forces his evidence, does violence to the truth or intends violence to his neighbour. Driver renders malicious, ‘meditates some covert violence himself or assists by false testimony the high-handed wrong doer.’ Marti ‘with whom might goes before right.’ In any case the description is proleptic, his character is not decided till he is taken before the judges.
rise up ] See on previous v. In this simpler sense in other Sg. passages; see on Deu 13:1.
to testify against him ] Same vb as in Deu 5:20 (17).
wrong doing ] Heb. sarah same as rebellion, Deu 13:5 (6) R.V. (cp. Deu 17:17), but while there it means apostacy from Jehovah here it is wider, any delinquency or defection from the law.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Testify against him that which is wrong – Margin, more literally, a falling away. The word is used Deu 13:5 to signify apostasy or revolt; here it is no doubt to be understood in the wider sense of any departure from the Law.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
A single witness, though he speak truth, is not to be accepted for the condemnation of another man; but if he be convicted of false witness, this is sufficient for his own condemnation.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
16-21. But if convicted ofperjury, it will be sufficient for his own condemnation, and hispunishment shall be exactly the same as would have overtaken theobject of his malignant prosecution. (See on Ex21:23; see also Le 24:20).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
If a false witness rise up against any man,…. In a court of judicature:
to testify against him: that which is not true of him, let it be in what case it will; Aben Ezra instances in idolatry, but it holds good of any other.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Verses 16-21:
“Wrong” sarah, “a turning aside, defection,” translated “rebellion,” Jer 28:16; Jer 29:32, and “revolt,” Isa 1:5; Isa 31:6; Isa 59:13. Use of this term implies a defection to idolatry, or rebellion against Jehovah.
The text deals with a case in which one is falsely accused of defection or rebellion, by another. Both the accused and accuser must appear at the Temple or sanctuary (before Jehovah), before the priests and the judges, where the case would be tried in the highest court.
“Diligent inquisition,” darash yatab, “thorough inquiry.”
If the court of inquiry determined the accusation to be false, the sentence was that it should be done to the accuser as he had intended for the accused. No deviation was to be allowed from this law. The purpose of this was to engender respect and reverence for God and His Law.
Compare verse 21 with Exo 21:23-25 and Lev 24:19; Lev 24:21.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
16. If a false witness rise up against any man. Because the fear of God does not so prevail in all men, as that they should voluntarily abstain from the love of slander, God here appoints the punishment to be inflicted for perjury: for political laws are enacted against the ungodly and disobedient, in order that those who despise God’s judgment should be brought before the tribunal of men. Although perjury is not here ordained to be tried before the judges, unless there should be an accuser, who should complain that he had been unjustly injured by false-witness, still reason dictates, that if any man have been condemned to death by false-witnesses, the judges should not hesitate to make an official inquiry into the matter. Yet, inasmuch as men are generally disposed to assert their own innocence, God has deemed it sufficient to put the case, that if any complaint should be lodged, the judges should diligently investigate it, and if the crime be proved, should inflict the punishment of retaliation ( talionis.) Whence it appears that false-witnesses and murderers stand in the same light before God. By commanding that the inquiry should be made not only by the judges, but also by the priests, as if God Himself were present, He shews that He requires unusual diligence to be used; because a secret crime is not easily detected without the most anxious care.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
16. A false witness The general treatment of the subject of bearing false witness is found in the earlier legislation. See Exodus xxiii, 1-3; Lev 19:15-18. But no penalties are assigned to particular cases. Here Moses allows the lex talionis the law of retaliation to be applied to those who through malice endeavour to wrong the innocent.
To testify that which is wrong The Hebrew word which is here rendered wrong is sometimes used with the significance of apostasy. It is here used in a more extended sense for any violation of law. We might translate the expression to testify against his departure that is, from the law of Jehovah.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Ver. 16. To testify against him that which is wrong That is, to accuse him, to lay any crime to his charge. Houbigant tenders it very properly, ut eum criminis accusat: that he may accuse him of a crime: and as the detection of a false witness was extremely difficult, the most diligent and exact inquiry was to be made by the priests and judges, ver. 17, 18. Some of the most excellent of our English laws are grounded upon this law; as that of the thirty-seventh of Edward III. chap. 18 which ordains, that “all they who make suggestion, shall be sent with the same suggestion before the chancellor, treasurer, &c. and his grand counsel; and that they there find surety to pursue their suggestions; and incur the same pain which the other should have had, if he were attainted, in case that his suggestions be found evil,” &c. And in the thirty-eighth of the same reign, chap. 9 it is enacted, “That if he that maketh complaint, cannot prove his intent against the defendant, in the same article, he shall be commanded to prison, there to abide till he hath made gree to the party of his damages, and of the slander that he hath suffered upon such occasion, and after shall make fine and ransom to the king.”
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
a false witness. Compare Exo 23:1, and Deu 19:16.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
a false witness: Exo 23:1-7, 1Ki 21:10-13, Psa 27:12, Psa 35:11, Mar 14:55-59, Act 6:13
that which is wrong: or, falling away
Reciprocal: Exo 23:7 – far from Deu 5:20 – General 1Ki 21:13 – the men of Belial Pro 6:19 – A false Pro 19:5 – false Pro 21:28 – false witness Mat 26:59 – sought Luk 6:38 – with