Deuteronomy 19:18
Deuteronomy 19:18 in Multiple Translations
The judges shall investigate thoroughly, and if the witness is proven to be a liar who has falsely accused his brother,
And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother;
and the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and have testified falsely against his brother;
And the judges will have the question looked into with care: and if the witness is seen to be false and to have made a false statement against his brother,
The judges shall conduct a full investigation, and if the accuser proves to be a liar who has made false accusations
And the Iudges shall make diligent inquisition: and if the witnesse be found false, and hath giuen false witnes against his brother,
and the judges have searched diligently, and lo, the witness [is] a false witness, a falsehood he hath testified against his brother:
and the judges shall make diligent inquisition; and behold, if the witness is a false witness, and has testified falsely against his brother,
And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and behold, if the witness is a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother;
And when after most diligent inquisition, they shall find that the false witness hath told a lie against his brother:
The judges must ◄investigate the case carefully/try to find out which one is telling the truth►. If the judges determine that one of them has accused the other falsely,
Berean Amplified Bible — Deuteronomy 19:18
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Deuteronomy 19:18 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/דָרְשׁ֥וּ
הַ/שֹּׁפְטִ֖ים
הֵיטֵ֑ב
וְ/הִנֵּ֤ה
עֵֽד
שֶׁ֨קֶר֙
הָ/עֵ֔ד
שֶׁ֖קֶר
עָנָ֥ה
בְ/אָחִֽי/ו
וְ/דָרְשׁ֥וּ
dârash
H1875
to seek
Conj | V-Qal-3cp
הַ/שֹּׁפְטִ֖ים
shâphaṭ
H8199
to judge
Art | V-Qal
הֵיטֵ֑ב
yâṭab
H3190
be good
V-Hiphil-Ptc
וְ/הִנֵּ֤ה
hinnêh
H2009
behold
Conj | Part
עֵֽד
ʻêd
H5707
witness
N-ms
שֶׁ֨קֶר֙
sheqer
H8267
deception
N-ms
הָ/עֵ֔ד
ʻêd
H5707
witness
Art | N-ms
שֶׁ֖קֶר
sheqer
H8267
deception
N-ms
עָנָ֥ה
ʻânâh
H6030
to dwell
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
בְ/אָחִֽי/ו
ʼâch
H251
brother
Prep | N-ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Deuteronomy 19:18
וְ/דָרְשׁ֥וּ
dârash
H1875
"to seek"
Conj | V-Qal-3cp
To seek or ask is the meaning of this Hebrew word, often used to describe seeking God or worshiping him. It can also mean to investigate or enquire about something.
Definition: 1) to resort to, seek, seek with care, enquire, require 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to resort to, frequent (a place), (tread a place) 1a2) to consult, enquire of, seek 1a2a) of God 1a2b) of heathen gods, necromancers 1a3) to seek deity in prayer and worship 1a3a) God 1a3b) heathen deities 1a4) to seek (with a demand), demand, require 1a5) to investigate, enquire 1a6) to ask for, require, demand 1a7) to practice, study, follow, seek with application 1a8) to seek with care, care for 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to allow oneself to be enquired of, consulted (only of God) 1b2) to be sought, be sought out 1b3) to be required (of blood)
Usage: Occurs in 152 OT verses. KJV: ask, [idiom] at all, care for, [idiom] diligently, inquire, make inquisition, (necro-) mancer, question, require, search, seek (for, out), [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 9:5; Ezra 10:16; Psalms 9:11.
הַ/שֹּׁפְטִ֖ים
shâphaṭ
H8199
"to judge"
Art | V-Qal
To shaphat means to judge or govern, and can also mean to vindicate or punish. In the Bible, this term is often used to describe God's role as a judge, as well as human judges and rulers.
Definition: 1) to judge, govern, vindicate, punish 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to act as law-giver or judge or governor (of God, man) 1a1a) to rule, govern, judge 1a2) to decide controversy (of God, man) 1a3) to execute judgment 1a3a) discriminating (of man) 1a3b) vindicating 1a3c) condemning and punishing 1a3d) at theophanic advent for final judgment 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to enter into controversy, plead, have controversy together 1b2) to be judged 1c) (Poel) judge, opponent-at-law (participle)
Usage: Occurs in 182 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] avenge, [idiom] that condemn, contend, defend, execute (judgment), (be a) judge(-ment), [idiom] needs, plead, reason, rule. See also: Genesis 16:5; Psalms 9:5; Psalms 2:10.
הֵיטֵ֑ב
yâṭab
H3190
"be good"
V-Hiphil-Ptc
To be good means to be pleasing or joyful, making something or someone sound, beautiful, or happy. It is used in various forms, including being glad, doing well, or being content. It appears in many books, including Psalms and Proverbs.
Definition: 1) to be good, be pleasing, be well, be glad 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be glad, be joyful 1a2) to be well placed 1a3) to be well for, be well with, go well with 1a4) to be pleasing, be pleasing to 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to make glad, rejoice 1b2) to do good to, deal well with 1b3) to do well, do thoroughly 1b4) to make a thing good or right or beautiful 1b5) to do well, do right
Usage: Occurs in 105 OT verses. KJV: be accepted, amend, use aright, benefit, be (make) better, seem best, make cheerful, be comely, [phrase] be content, diligent(-ly), dress, earnestly, find favour, give, be glad, do (be, make) good(-ness), be (make) merry, please ([phrase] well), shew more (kindness), skilfully, [idiom] very small, surely, make sweet, thoroughly, tire, trim, very, be (can, deal, entreat, go, have) well (said, seen). See also: Genesis 4:7; 2 Samuel 3:36; Psalms 33:3.
וְ/הִנֵּ֤ה
hinnêh
H2009
"behold"
Conj | Part
This Hebrew word is an expression that means 'behold' or 'look', often used to draw attention to something. It appears in Genesis and Isaiah, and is translated as 'behold' or 'lo' in the KJV.
Definition: behold, lo, see, if
Usage: Occurs in 799 OT verses. KJV: behold, lo, see. See also: Genesis 1:29; Genesis 42:35; Deuteronomy 19:18.
עֵֽד
ʻêd
H5707
"witness"
N-ms
This Hebrew word means witness or testimony, describing someone who sees or experiences something. It's used in the Bible to talk about people who testify to what they've seen, like in Deuteronomy when describing legal witnesses.
Definition: 1) witness 1a) witness, testimony, evidence (of things) 1b) witness (of people)
Usage: Occurs in 60 OT verses. KJV: witness. See also: Genesis 31:44; Psalms 27:12; Psalms 35:11.
שֶׁ֨קֶר֙
sheqer
H8267
"deception"
N-ms
This word refers to deception or falsehood, often implying a sense of betrayal or disappointment. It's used in the Bible to describe lies, false testimony, or deceitful behavior, like in Psalm 116:11, where the psalmist says all men are liars.
Definition: 1) lie, deception, disappointment, falsehood 1a) deception (what deceives or disappoints or betrays one) 1b) deceit, fraud, wrong 1b1) fraudulently, wrongfully (as adverb) 1c) falsehood (injurious in testimony) 1c1) testify falsehood, false oath, swear falsely 1d) falsity (of false or self-deceived prophets) 1e) lie, falsehood (in general) 1e1) false tongue 1f) in vain
Usage: Occurs in 109 OT verses. KJV: without a cause, deceit(-ful), false(-hood, -ly), feignedly, liar, [phrase] lie, lying, vain (thing), wrongfully. See also: Exodus 5:9; Proverbs 25:18; Psalms 7:15.
הָ/עֵ֔ד
ʻêd
H5707
"witness"
Art | N-ms
This Hebrew word means witness or testimony, describing someone who sees or experiences something. It's used in the Bible to talk about people who testify to what they've seen, like in Deuteronomy when describing legal witnesses.
Definition: 1) witness 1a) witness, testimony, evidence (of things) 1b) witness (of people)
Usage: Occurs in 60 OT verses. KJV: witness. See also: Genesis 31:44; Psalms 27:12; Psalms 35:11.
שֶׁ֖קֶר
sheqer
H8267
"deception"
N-ms
This word refers to deception or falsehood, often implying a sense of betrayal or disappointment. It's used in the Bible to describe lies, false testimony, or deceitful behavior, like in Psalm 116:11, where the psalmist says all men are liars.
Definition: 1) lie, deception, disappointment, falsehood 1a) deception (what deceives or disappoints or betrays one) 1b) deceit, fraud, wrong 1b1) fraudulently, wrongfully (as adverb) 1c) falsehood (injurious in testimony) 1c1) testify falsehood, false oath, swear falsely 1d) falsity (of false or self-deceived prophets) 1e) lie, falsehood (in general) 1e1) false tongue 1f) in vain
Usage: Occurs in 109 OT verses. KJV: without a cause, deceit(-ful), false(-hood, -ly), feignedly, liar, [phrase] lie, lying, vain (thing), wrongfully. See also: Exodus 5:9; Proverbs 25:18; Psalms 7:15.
עָנָ֥ה
ʻânâh
H6030
"to dwell"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
This verb means to sing or make music, but also to respond or give an answer. In the Bible, it is used to describe praising God in song or responding to a question. The KJV translates it as 'sing' or 'answer'.
Definition: (Qal) to dwell
Usage: Occurs in 316 OT verses. KJV: give account, afflict (by mistake for H6031 (עָנָה)), (cause to, give) answer, bring low (by mistake for H6031 (עָנָה)), cry, hear, Leannoth, lift up, say, [idiom] scholar, (give a) shout, sing (together by course), speak, testify, utter, (bear) witness. See also H1042 (בֵּית עֲנוֹת), H1043 (בֵּית עֲנָת). See also: Genesis 18:27; 2 Samuel 14:19; Job 40:2.
בְ/אָחִֽי/ו
ʼâch
H251
"brother"
Prep | N-ms | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a brother or male sibling, but it can also refer to a close relative, friend, or someone with a similar relationship. It is used to describe the bond between brothers, like the relationship between Cain and Abel in Genesis.
Definition: : male-sibling 1) brother 1a) brother of same parents 1b) half-brother (same father) 1c) relative, kinship, same tribe 1d) each to the other (reciprocal relationship) 1e) (fig.) of resemblance
Usage: Occurs in 572 OT verses. KJV: another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other. Compare also the proper names beginning with 'Ah-' or 'Ahi-'. See also: Genesis 4:2; Genesis 42:13; Numbers 25:6.
Study Notes — Deuteronomy 19:18
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The Testimony of Two or Three Witnesses
16If a false witness testifies against someone, accusing him of a crime,
17both parties to the dispute must stand in the presence of the LORD, before the priests and judges who are in office at that time.
18The judges shall investigate thoroughly, and if the witness is proven to be a liar who has falsely accused his brother,
19you must do to him as he intended to do to his brother. So you must purge the evil from among you. 20Then the rest of the people will hear and be afraid, and they will never again do anything so evil among you.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deuteronomy 13:14 | then you must inquire, investigate, and interrogate thoroughly. And if it is established with certainty that this abomination has been committed among you, |
| 2 | Deuteronomy 17:4 | and if it is reported and you hear about it, you must investigate it thoroughly. If the report is true and such an abomination has happened in Israel, |
| 3 | 2 Chronicles 19:6–7 | Then he said to the judges, “Consider carefully what you do, for you are not judging for man, but for the LORD, who is with you when you render judgment. And now, may the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful what you do, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.” |
| 4 | Job 19:16 | I call for my servant, but he does not answer, though I implore him with my own mouth. |
Deuteronomy 19:18 Summary
This verse, Deuteronomy 19:18, is saying that judges should carefully look into accusations to make sure they are true. If someone is found to be lying about another person, they will be punished, as seen in Deuteronomy 19:19. This is important because it helps keep our communities safe and just, which is in line with God's command to love our neighbors, as stated in Leviticus 19:18 and Matthew 22:39. By promoting truth and justice, we can create a more loving and supportive community, where everyone can feel safe and valued.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for judges to 'investigate thoroughly' in Deuteronomy 19:18?
This means that judges are to carefully examine the evidence and testimonies to determine the truth, as seen in Deuteronomy 17:4 and Deuteronomy 13:14, where thorough investigation is also required to establish the truth before making a judgment.
Why is it important to investigate false accusations?
Investigating false accusations is crucial to prevent injustice, as stated in Deuteronomy 19:18, and to maintain trust in the community, as seen in Proverbs 6:16-19, where God hates a false witness.
What happens if a witness is found to be a liar in Deuteronomy 19:18?
According to Deuteronomy 19:19, if a witness is proven to be a liar, they will receive the same punishment they intended for the person they falsely accused, as a means of purging evil from the community, similar to the principle in Exodus 21:24 and Leviticus 24:20.
How does this verse relate to the command to love our neighbors?
This verse relates to loving our neighbors, as stated in Leviticus 19:18 and Matthew 22:39, by protecting them from false accusations and promoting truth and justice, which are essential for maintaining healthy relationships and a just society.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can promote truth and justice in my own community, and how can I support those who are falsely accused?
- How can I apply the principle of thorough investigation in my own decision-making, and what are some potential consequences of not doing so?
- In what ways can I be a good neighbor by protecting others from false accusations and promoting truth, as seen in Deuteronomy 19:18 and Leviticus 19:18?
- What are some potential consequences of allowing false accusations to go unchecked, and how can I work to prevent this in my own community?
Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 19:18
And the judges shall make diligent inquisition,.... 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
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 19:18
If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong; But if convicted of perjury, it will be sufficient for his own condemnation, and his punishment shall be exactly
Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 19:18
Deuteronomy 19:15-21. FALSE .The law of retaliation is sternly laid down here; but it must be administered by the judges, not by men acting on their own behalf. (17) Both the men . . . shall stand before the Lord, before the priests and the judges.—This appears to mean that all cases of suspected false testimony were to go before the supreme court (see Deuteronomy 17:9); that the matter was not to be lightly decided. (21) Eye for eye, tooth for tooth.—This is to be effected by the award of the judges, not as a matter of private revenge. But manifestly it rests with the injured party to press the case.
Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 19:18
18. shall make diligent inquisition] See Deuteronomy 13:14 (15), Deuteronomy 17:4; Deuteronomy 17:9; Sg. false, falsely] Heb. sheḳ ?er: so in Exodus 20:16, but Deuteronomy 5:20 has shav, vain. brother] here and next v.: the usual term in Sg. passages for fellow-Israelite.