Deuteronomy 19:17

17 both they, of whom the cause is, shall stand before the Lord, in the sight of priests, and of judges, that be in those days. (then both of the people who be in dispute, shall stand before the Lord, in the sight of the priests, and the judges, who then be in office.)

Deuteronomy 19:17 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 19:17

Then both the men between whom the controversy is
The man that bears the false witness, and the man against whom it is borne:

shall stand before the Lord;
as in the presence of him, the omniscient God, and as represented by judges and civil magistrates, whose vicegerents they are; so it seems to be explained in the next words, which are exegetical of these:

before the priests and the judges which shall be in those days;
which shall compose the sanhedrim, or court of judicature; and this seems to confirm it, that by priest and judge, in ( Deuteronomy 17:9 Deuteronomy 17:12 ) are meant priests and judges; Jarchi says, this Scripture speaks of witnesses, that is, of the false witness that testifies wrong against a man, and another that contradicts his testimony, and teaches that there is no witness by women; and so it is elsewhere said F1, an oath of witness is made by men, and not by women; on which it is observed F2 that a woman is not fit to bear witness, as it is written,

then both the men
men and not women; and the above writer remarks further, that it teaches that they ought to bear testimony standing.


FOOTNOTES:

F1 Misn. Shebuot, c. 4. sect. 1.
F2 Bartenora in ib.

Deuteronomy 19:17 In-Context

15 One witness shall not stand against any man, whatever thing it is of sin, and of wickedness; but each word shall stand in the mouth of twain, either of three witnesses. (One witness shall not convict anyone, whatever his sin, or wickedness; but each charge must be established by the testimony of two, or three, witnesses.)
16 If a false witness standeth against a man, and accuseth him of breaking of the law,
17 both they, of whom the cause is, shall stand before the Lord, in the sight of priests, and of judges, that be in those days. (then both of the people who be in dispute, shall stand before the Lord, in the sight of the priests, and the judges, who then be in office.)
18 And when they seeking the cause most diligently (And if, after they have studied the case most diligently), (they) have found that the false witness said a lie against his brother,
19 they shall yield to him, as he thought to have done to his brother; and (so) thou shalt do away evil from the midst of thee,
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.