Deuteronomy 19:15-21

Witnesses

15 One witness is not enough to convict anyone accused of any crime or offense they may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.

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.

21 Show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.

Deuteronomy 19:15-21 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 19

This chapter contains an order to separate three cities of refuge in the land of Canaan, for such that killed a man unawares to flee to, of which those who were guilty of murder purposely were to have no benefit, De 19:1-13, a law is given against removing landmarks, De 19:14, and others concerning witnesses, that they should be more than one; be two, or three, De 19:15, and that a false witness, on conviction, should be punished, De 19:16-21.

Cross References

• 1. Numbers 35:30; S Deuteronomy 17:6; S Matthew 18:16*; Matthew 26:60; John 8:17; 2 Corinthians 13:1*; 1 Timothy 5:19; Hebrews 10:28
• 2. Exodus 23:1; Psalms 27:12; Proverbs 6:19
• 3. S Exodus 21:6; Deuteronomy 17:9
• 4. S Exodus 23:7
• 5. Proverbs 19:5,9; 1 Corinthians 5:13*
• 6. S Deuteronomy 13:11; Deuteronomy 17:13; Deuteronomy 21:21
• 7. ver 13
• 8. S Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 24:20; Matthew 5:38*