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Deuteronomy 19:16

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Deuteronomy 19:16 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “If an unrighteous witness rise up against any man to testify against him of wrong-doing,” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

If an unrighteous witness rise up against any man to testify against him of wrong-doing,
Deuteronomy 19:16 — American Standard Version

Context — Deuteronomy 19

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
13Thine eye shall not pity him, but thou shalt put away the innocent blood from Israel, that it may go well with thee.
14Thou shalt not remove thy neighbor`s landmark, which they of old time have set, in thine inheritance which thou shalt inherit, in the land that Jehovah thy God giveth thee to possess it.
15One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall a matter be established.
16If an unrighteous witness rise up against any man to testify against him of wrong-doing,
17then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before Jehovah, before the priests and the judges that shall be in those days;
18and the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and have testified falsely against his brother;
19then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to do unto his brother: so shalt thou put away the evil from the midst of thee.
← Deuteronomy 19:15Deuteronomy 19:17 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“If a false witness rise up against any man, etc.] In a court of judicature: to testify against him: that which is not true of him, let it be in what case it will; Aben Ezra instances in idolatry, but it holds good of any other.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“PUNISHMENT OF A FALSE WITNESS. (Deu 19:16-21) But if convicted of perjury, it will be sufficient for his own condemnation, and his punishment shall be exactly the same as would have overtaken the object of his malignant prosecution. (See on Exo 21:23; see also Lev 24:20). Next: Deuteronomy Chapter 20”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Testify against him that which is wrong - Margin, more literally, “a falling away.” The word is used Deuteronomy 13:5 to signify apostasy or revolt; here it is no doubt to be understood in the wider sense of any departure from the Law. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“A safe witness - A single witness, though he speak truth, is not to be accepted for the condemnation of another man, but if he be convicted of false witness, this is sufficient for his own condemnation. Deuteronomy 19:21”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“a false witness: Exo 23:1-7; Kg1 21:10-13; Psa 27:12, Psa 35:11; Mar 14:55-59; Act 6:13 that which is wrong: or, falling away Deuteronomy 19:17”
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Related study paths

Read Deuteronomy 19 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification