Deuteronomy 19:14-21

Witnesses 19:14-21

The previous pericope alluded to the need for witnesses, and this one explains their role. A common cause of hostility between individuals that sometimes led to homicide was a failure to agree on common boundaries and to respect property rights (cf. 1 Kings 21:1-26; 1 Kings 22:37-38). [Note: Kaufman, p. 137.] In the ancient world boundary markers protected the property rights of individuals (Deuteronomy 19:14). Many nations as well as Israel regarded them as sacred. Stones several feet high marked the boundaries of royal grants. [Note: Kline, "Deuteronomy," p. 182.] The Romans later executed people who moved boundary markers. [Note: Keil and Delitzsch, 3:399.] Tribal boundaries were particularly significant in the Promised Land because Yahweh, the owner of the land, determined them.

In Israel judges assumed a person was innocent until proven guilty. Deuteronomy 19:15-21 explain what they were to do if they suspected some witness of giving false testimony. Normally at least two witnesses were necessary (Deuteronomy 17:6), but sometimes there was only one. In such a case the trial moved to the supreme court at the tabernacle (Deuteronomy 19:17; cf. Deuteronomy 17:8-13). False witnesses received the punishment they sought to bring on the persons they falsely accused (Deuteronomy 19:19; Deuteronomy 19:21). [Note: See Chris Wright, "Principles of Punishment in Deuteronomy," Third Way 6:7 (July-August 1983):15-16. On Deuteronomy 19:21, see Eugene J. Fisher, "Lex Talionis in the Bible and Rabbinic Tradition," Journal of Ecumenical Studies 19:3 (Summer 1982):582-87.] God here extended to all criminals the safeguards formerly guaranteed to capital offenders. Jesus did not deny the validity of this principle for the courtroom, but He forbade its application in interpersonal relationships (Matthew 5:38-42).

God’s concern for His people’s lives, possessions, and reputations stands out in this chapter.