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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Deuteronomy 19:16 If a false witness testifies against someone, accusing him of a crime,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/deuteronomy/19-16.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/05_Deu_19_16.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Deuteronomy 19:16 - The Testimony of Two or Three Witnesses" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="If a false witness testifies against someone, accusing him of a crime," /><script type="application/javascript" 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cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad16.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/deuteronomy/19-15.htm" title="Deuteronomy 19:15">◄</a> Deuteronomy 19:16 <a href="/deuteronomy/19-17.htm" title="Deuteronomy 19:17">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/19.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/19.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />If a malicious witness takes the stand to accuse someone of a crime,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/19.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“If a malicious witness comes forward and accuses someone of a crime,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/deuteronomy/19.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />If a malicious witness arises to accuse a person of wrongdoing,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/19.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />If a false witness testifies against someone, accusing him of a crime,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/19.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him <i>that which is</i> wrong;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/deuteronomy/19.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />If a false witness rises against any man to testify against him of wrongdoing,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/deuteronomy/19.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />If a malicious witness rises up against a person to testify against him of wrongdoing,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/19.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220If a malicious witness rises up against a man to accuse him of wrongdoing,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/deuteronomy/19.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“If a malicious witness rises up against a man to accuse him of wrongdoing,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/deuteronomy/19.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />If a malicious witness rises up against a man to accuse him of wrongdoing,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/deuteronomy/19.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />If a malicious witness rises up against a man to [falsely] accuse him of wrongdoing,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/deuteronomy/19.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“If a malicious witness testifies against someone accusing him of a crime,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/deuteronomy/19.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If a malicious witness testifies against someone accusing him of a crime, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/deuteronomy/19.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />If an unrighteous witness rise up against any man to testify against him of wrong-doing,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/deuteronomy/19.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />If you accuse someone of a crime, but seem to be lying, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/deuteronomy/19.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />If an unrighteous witness rise up against any man to testify against him of wrong-doing;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/deuteronomy/19.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />This is what you must do whenever a witness takes the stand to accuse a person falsely of a crime.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/deuteronomy/19.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />If any of you try to harm another by false accusations, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/deuteronomy/19.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />When a malicious witness takes the stand against a man and accuses him, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/deuteronomy/19.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />If a false witness testifies against someone, accusing him of a crime,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/deuteronomy/19.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />If a false witness testifies against another person and accuses him of a crime,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/deuteronomy/19.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />If an unrighteous witness rise up against any man to testify against him of wrongdoing,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/deuteronomy/19.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />If a false witness shall rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/deuteronomy/19.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />If an unrighteous witness rises up against any man to testify against him of wrongdoing, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/deuteronomy/19.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />When a violent witness rises against a man to testify against him apostasy,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/deuteronomy/19.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'When a violent witness doth rise against a man, to testify against him apostasy,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/deuteronomy/19.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />If a witness of wrong shall rise up against a man to testify apostasy against him;<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/deuteronomy/19.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />If a lying witness stand against a man, accusing him of transgression, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/deuteronomy/19.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />If a lying witness will have stood against a man, accusing him of a transgression,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/deuteronomy/19.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />If a hostile witness rises against someone to accuse that person of wrongdoing,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/deuteronomy/19.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />If a malicious witness comes forward to accuse someone of wrongdoing,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/deuteronomy/19.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />If a false witness rise up against any man, and testify against him that which is wrong;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/deuteronomy/19.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And if a false witness shall arise against a man and will testify evil against him;<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/deuteronomy/19.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />If an unrighteous witness rise up against any man to bear perverted witness against him;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/deuteronomy/19.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And if an unjust witness rise up against a man, alleging iniquity against him;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/deuteronomy/19-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IRhBtZaVxJ0?start=5426" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/19.htm">The Testimony of Two or Three Witnesses</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15</span>A lone witness is not sufficient to establish any wrongdoing or sin against a man, regardless of what offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. <span class="reftext">16</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">If</a> <a href="/hebrew/6965.htm" title="6965: yā·qūm (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To arise, stand up, stand. A primitive root; to rise."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2555.htm" title="2555: ḥā·mās (N-ms) -- Violence, wrong. From chamac; violence; by implication, wrong; by meton. Unjust gain.">a false</a> <a href="/hebrew/5707.htm" title="5707: ‘êḏ- (N-msc) -- A witness. Contracted from uwd; concretely, a witness; abstractly, testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e. Prince.">witness</a> <a href="/hebrew/6030.htm" title="6030: la·‘ă·nō·wṯ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To answer, respond.">testifies</a> <a href="/hebrew/bōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- ">against</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: bə·’îš (Prep-b:: N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">someone,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5627.htm" title="5627: sā·rāh (N-fs) -- Turning aside, defection, apostasy, withdrawal. From cuwr; apostasy, crime; figuratively, remission.">accusing him of a crime,</a> </span><span class="reftext">17</span>both parties to the dispute must stand in the presence of the LORD, before the priests and judges who are in office at that time.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/23-1.htm">Exodus 23:1</a></span><br />“You shall not spread a false report. Do not join the wicked by being a malicious witness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/19-5.htm">Proverbs 19:5</a></span><br />A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/19-9.htm">Proverbs 19:9</a></span><br />A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who pours out lies will perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/25-18.htm">Proverbs 25:18</a></span><br />Like a club or sword or sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/27-12.htm">Psalm 27:12</a></span><br />Do not hand me over to the will of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/35-11.htm">Psalm 35:11</a></span><br />Hostile witnesses come forward; they make charges I know nothing about.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/19-16.htm">Leviticus 19:16</a></span><br />You must not go about spreading slander among your people. You must not endanger the life of your neighbor. I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/8-17.htm">Zechariah 8:17</a></span><br />do not plot evil in your hearts against your neighbor, and do not love to swear falsely, for I hate all these things,” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/21-10.htm">1 Kings 21:10-13</a></span><br />But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them testify, ‘You have cursed both God and the king!’ Then take him out and stone him to death.” / So the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth’s city did as Jezebel had instructed in the letters she had written to them. / They proclaimed a fast and gave Naboth a seat of honor among the people. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/9-3.htm">Jeremiah 9:3-5</a></span><br />“They bend their tongues like bows; lies prevail over truth in the land. For they proceed from evil to evil, and they do not take Me into account,” declares the LORD. / “Let everyone guard against his neighbor; do not trust any brother, for every brother deals craftily, and every friend spreads slander. / Each one betrays his friend; no one tells the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they wear themselves out committing iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/26-59.htm">Matthew 26:59-61</a></span><br />Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking false testimony against Jesus in order to put Him to death. / But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward. Finally two came forward / and declared, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/mark/14-55.htm">Mark 14:55-59</a></span><br />Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but they did not find any. / For many bore false witness against Jesus, but their testimony was inconsistent. / Then some men stood up and testified falsely against Him: ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/6-11.htm">Acts 6:11-13</a></span><br />Then they prompted some men to say, “We heard Stephen speak words of blasphemy against Moses and against God.” / So they stirred up the people, elders, and scribes and confronted Stephen. They seized him and brought him before the Sanhedrin, / where they presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/5-19.htm">1 Timothy 5:19</a></span><br />Do not entertain an accusation against an elder, except on the testimony of two or three witnesses.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/18-16.htm">Matthew 18:16</a></span><br />But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong;</p><p class="hdg">a false witness</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/23-1.htm">Exodus 23:1-7</a></b></br> Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/21-10.htm">1 Kings 21:10-13</a></b></br> And set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And <i>then</i> carry him out, and stone him, that he may die… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/27-12.htm">Psalm 27:12</a></b></br> Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.</p><p class="hdg">that which is wrong.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/revelation/12-10.htm">Accuse</a> <a href="/jeremiah/28-16.htm">Apostacy</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/10-8.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-15.htm">Crime</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-11.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/exodus/23-1.htm">Malicious</a> <a href="/1_peter/2-8.htm">Offence</a> <a href="/titus/3-11.htm">Perverted</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-15.htm">Rise</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-11.htm">Rises</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/18-7.htm">Stand</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/18-22.htm">Statement</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/8-19.htm">Testify</a> <a href="/exodus/23-1.htm">Unrighteous</a> <a href="/exodus/23-1.htm">Violent</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-15.htm">Witness</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-15.htm">Wrong</a> <a href="/numbers/30-15.htm">Wrongdoing</a> <a href="/2_peter/2-13.htm">Wrong-Doing</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/38-20.htm">Accuse</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-5.htm">Apostacy</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-15.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-8.htm">Crime</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/20-12.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/psalms/35-11.htm">Malicious</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-31.htm">Offence</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-5.htm">Perverted</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/25-6.htm">Rise</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/22-26.htm">Rises</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-17.htm">Stand</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-18.htm">Statement</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/21-7.htm">Testify</a> <a href="/job/18-21.htm">Unrighteous</a> <a href="/judges/20-34.htm">Violent</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-18.htm">Witness</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/23-16.htm">Wrong</a> <a href="/joshua/24-19.htm">Wrongdoing</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/25-2.htm">Wrong-Doing</a><div class="vheading2">Deuteronomy 19</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/19-1.htm">The cities of refuge</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/19-4.htm">The privilege thereof for the manslayer</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/19-14.htm">The landmark is not to be removed</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/19-15.htm">At least two witnesses are required</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/19-16.htm">the punishment of a false witness</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/deuteronomy/19.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/deuteronomy/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/deuteronomy/19.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>If a false witness testifies against someone,</b><br>In the context of ancient Israel, the integrity of the judicial system was paramount. The law given through Moses emphasized truthfulness and justice, reflecting God's character. False testimony was a serious offense because it could lead to unjust punishment or even death. The Ninth Commandment, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor" (<a href="/exodus/20-16.htm">Exodus 20:16</a>), underscores the importance of truth. The community was responsible for maintaining justice, and false witnesses threatened the social order and covenant relationship with God.<p><b>accusing him of a crime,</b><br>The Hebrew legal system required at least two or three witnesses to establish a matter (<a href="/deuteronomy/19-15.htm">Deuteronomy 19:15</a>). This requirement was designed to protect individuals from false accusations and ensure that justice was served. Accusations of crimes, especially those punishable by death, needed to be thoroughly investigated. The principle of "an eye for an eye" (<a href="/exodus/21-24.htm">Exodus 21:24</a>) was intended to ensure that the punishment fit the crime, but false accusations could subvert this justice. This passage foreshadows the trial of Jesus Christ, where false witnesses were brought against Him (<a href="/mark/14-56.htm">Mark 14:56-59</a>), highlighting the ultimate miscarriage of justice and fulfilling the prophecy of the suffering servant (<a href="/isaiah/53-7.htm">Isaiah 53:7-9</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/f/false_witness.htm">False Witness</a></b><br>An individual who deliberately provides untrue testimony against another person, potentially leading to unjust consequences.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/accused_person.htm">Accused Person</a></b><br>The individual who is the subject of the false testimony, facing potential punishment for a crime they may not have committed.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelite_community.htm">Israelite Community</a></b><br>The broader context in which these laws were given, emphasizing justice and righteousness within the community.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/judicial_system_of_ancient_israel.htm">Judicial System of Ancient Israel</a></b><br>The system established by God through Moses to ensure justice, including the role of judges and the process of legal proceedings.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The leader and lawgiver of Israel, through whom God delivered these laws to guide the community in righteousness.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_truthfulness.htm">The Importance of Truthfulness</a></b><br>Truth is foundational to justice and community integrity. Upholding truth prevents the miscarriage of justice and maintains trust within the community.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_witnesses_in_justice.htm">The Role of Witnesses in Justice</a></b><br>Witnesses hold significant power in legal proceedings. Their integrity is crucial to ensuring fair outcomes and protecting the innocent.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_hatred_of_falsehood.htm">God's Hatred of Falsehood</a></b><br>God detests falsehood and deceit, as they are contrary to His nature. Believers are called to reflect God's truthfulness in their lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_false_testimony.htm">The Consequences of False Testimony</a></b><br>False testimony can lead to severe consequences, not only for the accused but also for the community's moral fabric. It is a serious offense with spiritual and social repercussions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_righteousness.htm">The Call to Righteousness</a></b><br>Believers are called to pursue righteousness and justice, ensuring that their words and actions align with God's standards.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_deuteronomy_19.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 19</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_lying_against_god's_teachings.htm">Is lying against God's teachings?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_accept_jezebel's_false_witness_orders.htm">Why would local elders and nobles so easily accept Jezebel’s instructions to bear false witness, considering the legal necessities outlined in 1 Kings 21:8–13? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_a_false_witness.htm">What defines a false witness?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_susanna_prove_innocence.htm">How does Susanna prove her innocence against false accusations?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/deuteronomy/19.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 16.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">To testify against him</span> <span class="cmt_word">that which is wrong</span>; literally, to <span class="accented">testify against him defection</span>, <span class="accented">i</span>.<span class="accented">e</span>. from the Law of God. The speaker has apparently in view here all such defections from the Law as would entail punishment on the convicted offender. In <a href="/deuteronomy/13-5.htm">Deuteronomy 13:5</a> [6], indeed, the crime described here as "that which is wrong" (margin, "falling away") is specially the crime of apostasy to idolatry; but the word (<span class="hebrew">סָרָה</span>), though usually expressing apostasy from Jehovah, has properly the general sense of a deflection from a prescribed course (from <span class="hebrew">סוּר</span>, to go off, to go aside), and so may describe any departure from what is constituted right. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/deuteronomy/19-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">If</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּֽי־</span> <span class="translit">(kî-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a false</span><br /><span class="heb">חָמָ֖ס</span> <span class="translit">(ḥā·mās)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2555.htm">Strong's 2555: </a> </span><span class="str2">Violence, wrong, by meton, unjust gain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">witness</span><br /><span class="heb">עֵד־</span> <span class="translit">(‘êḏ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5707.htm">Strong's 5707: </a> </span><span class="str2">A witness, testimony, a recorder, prince</span><br /><br /><span class="word">testifies</span><br /><span class="heb">לַעֲנ֥וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(la·‘ă·nō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6030.htm">Strong's 6030: </a> </span><span class="str2">To answer, respond</span><br /><br /><span class="word">against someone,</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּאִ֑ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(bə·’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">accusing him of a crime,</span><br /><span class="heb">סָרָֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(sā·rāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5627.htm">Strong's 5627: </a> </span><span class="str2">Turning aside, defection, apostasy, withdrawal</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/19-16.htm">Deuteronomy 19:16 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/19-16.htm">Deuteronomy 19:16 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/deuteronomy/19-16.htm">Deuteronomy 19:16 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/19-16.htm">Deuteronomy 19:16 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/19-16.htm">Deuteronomy 19:16 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/deuteronomy/19-16.htm">Deuteronomy 19:16 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/deuteronomy/19-16.htm">Deuteronomy 19:16 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/deuteronomy/19-16.htm">Deuteronomy 19:16 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/deuteronomy/19-16.htm">Deuteronomy 19:16 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/deuteronomy/19-16.htm">Deuteronomy 19:16 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/deuteronomy/19-16.htm">OT Law: Deuteronomy 19:16 If an unrighteous witness rise up against (Deut. 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