Deuteronomy 19:18

18 The judges must make a thorough investigation, and if the witness proves to be a liar, giving false testimony against a fellow Israelite,

Deuteronomy 19:18 in Other Translations

18 And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother;

18 The judges shall inquire diligently, and if the witness is a false witness and has accused his brother falsely,

18 The judges must investigate the case thoroughly. If the accuser has brought false charges against his fellow Israelite,

18 The judges must conduct a careful investigation; if the witness turns out to be a false witness and has lied against his fellow Israelite,

18 The judges are to make a careful investigation, and if the witness turns out to be a liar who has falsely accused his brother,

Deuteronomy 19:18 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 19:18

And the judges shall make diligent inquisition
Into the case before them, into the nature of the evidence and proof that each witness brings for or against; so the Targum of Jonathan,

``the judges shall interrogate the witness, by whom these things are said, well;''

shall thoroughly examine the testimony given, and look carefully into it:

and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified
falsely against his brother;
it appears plainly by full evidence that he has testified a falsehood of him.

Deuteronomy 19:18 In-Context

16 If a malicious witness takes the stand to accuse someone of a crime,

17 the two people involved in the dispute must stand in the presence of the LORD before the priests and the judges who are in office at the time.

18 The judges must make a thorough investigation, and if the witness proves to be a liar, giving false testimony against a fellow Israelite,

19 then do to the false witness as that witness intended to do to the other party. You must purge the evil from among you.

20 The rest of the people will hear of this and be afraid, and never again will such an evil thing be done among you.

Cross References

• 1. S Exodus 23:7