And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother;

DEUTERONOMY 19:18KJV
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Deuteronomy 19:18 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 19:18 mean?

Deuteronomy 19:18 says that judges must carefully investigate when someone is accused of being a false witness, and if they find that the person lied in their testimony against another, this must be recognized and addressed. The verse highlights the responsibility of judges to seek out the truth and not accept accusations at face value.

In this setting, Moses is instructing the Israelites about how their legal system should work once they are settled in the land. The verse is part of a larger section about justice and fairness, especially in court cases. It shows that God’s law values careful examination and protects people from being harmed by lies or false accusations.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 19:18

  • The word for "judges" (שָׁפַט, shafat) points to those with official authority to decide cases, highlighting the importance of leadership in maintaining justice.
  • "Diligent" (יָטַב, yatav) and "inquisition" (דָּרַשׁ, darash) together stress a thorough, careful search for the truth, not just a quick or surface-level check.
  • "False" (שֶׁקֶר, sheqer) and "witness" (עֵד, ed) are repeated to emphasize that the problem is not just a mistake but a deliberate lie, and that the testimony affects someone’s "brother" (אָח, ach)—meaning a fellow Israelite, not necessarily a literal sibling.

Why Deuteronomy 19:18 matters

  • This verse clears up the idea that accusations should always be believed; instead, it insists on careful investigation before any judgment is made.
  • The emphasis on diligent inquiry shows that justice in Israel was meant to be thorough and fair, not rushed or based on rumor.
  • By focusing on false witnesses, the verse connects to the wider biblical theme that truthfulness is essential for a just society, and that legal systems must protect people from wrongful harm.

Where else these words appear

“witness” Hebrew H5707 · used in 59 verses

  • Genesis 31:44 Now therefore come thou, let us make a covenant, I and thou; and let it be for a witness between me and thee.
  • Joshua 22:28 Therefore said we, that it shall be, when they should so say to us or to our generations in time to come, that we may say again, Behold the pattern of the altar of the LORD, which our fathers made, not for burnt offerings, nor for sacrifices; but it is a witness between us and you.
  • Proverbs 19:28 An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.

“diligent” Hebrew H3190 · used in 102 verses

  • Genesis 4:7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
  • Joshua 22:30 And when Phinehas the priest, and the princes of the congregation and heads of the thousands of Israel which were with him, heard the words that the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the children of Manasseh spake, it pleased them.
  • Psalms 49:18 Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself.

“false” Hebrew H8267 · used in 109 verses

  • Exodus 5:9 Let there more work be laid upon the men, that they may labour therein; and let them not regard vain words.
  • Psalms 144:11 Rid me, and deliver me from the hand of strange children, whose mouth speaketh vanity, and their right hand is a right hand of falsehood:
  • Jeremiah 8:8 How do ye say, We are wise, and the law of the LORD is with us? Lo, certainly in vain made he it; the pen of the scribes is in vain.