Devarim 25:1

1 5 If there be a dispute between anashim, and they come unto hamishpat (the court) that the shofetim may judge them; then they shall justify the tzaddik (i.e., declare him to be in the right), and condemn the guilty.

Devarim 25:1 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 25:1

If there be a controversy between men
Between two or more:

and they come unto judgment;
into a court of judicature, bring their cause thither:

that [the judges] may judge them;
who were never less than three; the great sanhedrim at Jerusalem consisted of seventy one, the lesser court was of twenty three, and the least of all three only:

then they shall justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked:
acquit the one, whose cause is good, and condemn the other to punishment, who is guilty of a crime, and as that deserves; which is to do righteous judgment; the contrary to this is an abomination to the Lord, ( Proverbs 17:15 ) .

Devarim 25:1 In-Context

1 5 If there be a dispute between anashim, and they come unto hamishpat (the court) that the shofetim may judge them; then they shall justify the tzaddik (i.e., declare him to be in the right), and condemn the guilty.

2 And it shall be, if the reshah be worthy to be beaten, that the shofet shall cause him to lie down, and to be beaten in his presence, according to his fault, by a certain number.

3 Arba’im he may give him, and not exceed; lest, if he should exceed, and beat him above these with makkah rabbah (many stripes), then thy brother would be degraded in your sight.

4 Thou shalt not muzzle the shor when he treadeth out the grain [1C 9:9; 1Ti 5:18].

5 If achim dwell together, and one of them die, and ben ain lo (have no child), the eshet hamet (wife of the dead) shall not marry outside unto an ish zar (strange man); her yevam (deceased husband’s brother) shall go in unto her, and take her to him as a wife, and perform the levirate marriage.