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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 19:14-21

Here is a statute for the preventing of frauds and perjuries; for the divine law takes care of men's rights and properties, and has made a hedge about them. Such a friend is it to human society and men's civil interest. I. A law against frauds, Deut. 19:14. 1. Here is an implicit direction given to the first planters of Canaan to fix land-marks, according to the distribution of the land to the several tribes and families by lot. Note, It is the will of God that every one should know his own,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 19:15

One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth ,.... Whether capital sins, or pecuniary debts; or whatsoever sins a man may be guilty of whether sins against the first or second table of the law, whether greater or lesser sins, whether in moral or civil things; the Jews except only in the case of a woman suspected of adultery and of beheading the heifer: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 19:15

One witness shall not rise up, etc. - See Numbers 35:30 ; (note). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 19:14-21

The law of retaliation. When we consider "retaliation," we find that it is the converse of the "golden rule." In fact, it is giving back to a person his breach of that rule to see how he likes it. It is just a rough method of teaching rude, selfish souls that there is retribution in all selfish practices; the gun may be fired maliciously, but it sooner or later lays the sportsman in the dust. Now, it is morally right that those who do to others as they do not wish others to do to them... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 19:15

The rule in Deuteronomy 17:6 , regarding accusations of idolatry, is here extended to accusations of every kind before a court of justice; a single witness was not to be admitted as sufficient to convict a man of any offence, either civil or criminal. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 19:15-21

To secure against injury to life or property through inadequate or false attestation, it is enacted that more than one witness must appear before anything can be established; and that, should a witness be found on trial to have testified falsely against his neighbor, he was to be punished by having done to him what he thought to have done to his neighbor (cf. Deuteronomy 17:6 ; Numbers 35:30 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 19:15-21

Bulwark against perjury. "The tongue is an unruly member, and cannot easily be restrained." Private slander is base enough, but its basest utterance is when, in the sacred halls of justice, it swears away a man's reputation or his life. It is doubtful if a deed so black is done in hell. I. PERJURY IS SO COMMON AS TO NECESSITATE A PUBLIC STIGMA ON HUMANITY . "One witness shall not rise up against a man." If every man had been known as truthful, the testimony of one... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Deuteronomy 19:15-17

Deuteronomy 19:15-17. One witness shall not rise up Or, be established, as the same word is rendered in the end of the verse; that is, shall not be accepted or owned as sufficient. If a false witness rise up A single witness, though he speak truth, is not to be accepted for the condemnation of another man; but if he be convicted of bearing false witness, it is sufficient for his own condemnation. Both the men shall stand before the Lord That is, shall come to the supreme court, which... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 19:1-21

Justice for the accused (19:1-21)Three cities of refuge had already been established east of Jordan (see 4:41-43), and three more were to be established west of Jordan (19:1-2). In each of these two regions one city was to be in the north, one in the centre and one in the south, so that a city of refuge was within easy reach of every person in the land, no matter where he lived. All six cities had to have well marked roads leading to them so that the refugee could reach safety quickly (3-7; see... read more

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