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Deuteronomy 19:18

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Deuteronomy 19:18 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “and the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and have testified falsely against his brother;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

and the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and have testified falsely against his brother;
Deuteronomy 19:18 — American Standard Version

Context — Deuteronomy 19

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
20And those that remain shall hear, and fear, and shall henceforth commit no more any such evil in the midst of thee.
21And thine eyes shall not pity; life [shall go] for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.
← Deuteronomy 19:17Deuteronomy 19:19 →
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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
“And the judges shall make diligent inquisition, etc.] 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.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“diligent: Deu 13:14, Deu 17:4; Ch2 19:6, Ch2 19:7; Job 19:16 Deuteronomy 19:19”
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Related study paths

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

Sources and verification