Deuteronomy 19:18

18 The judges shall ¹inquire diligently, and if the witness is a false witness and has accused his brother falsely,

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 arises to accuse a person of wrongdoing,

17 then both parties to the dispute shall appear before the LORD, before the priests and the judges who are in office in those days.

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

19 then you shall do to him as he had meant to do to his brother. So you shall purge the evil from your midst.

20 And the rest shall hear and fear, and shall never again commit any such evil among you.

Cross References

• 1. Deuteronomy 13:14; Deuteronomy 17:4