Deuteronomy 19:20 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 19:20 mean?

Deuteronomy 19:20 says that when the rest of the people hear about the punishment of someone who did evil, they will be afraid and will not dare to do the same wrong thing again. The verse is about using justice as a warning to discourage others from committing similar offenses.

In this part of Deuteronomy, Moses is speaking to the Israelites about laws for their community, specifically about dealing with those who bear false witness or do serious wrong. The verse comes after instructions for punishing someone who tries to harm another by lying in court. The main idea is that public justice serves to protect the community by making others think twice before doing evil.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 19:20

• "remain" (שָׁאָר, sha'ar): This word refers to those who are left in the community after judgment has been carried out. It emphasizes that the warning is for everyone else who witnesses or hears about the event.
• "hear" (שָׁמַע, shama'): This word means more than just hearing sounds; it often includes the idea of paying attention and taking the message seriously.
• "fear" (יָרֵא, yare'): This word means to be afraid or to have a deep respect that leads to caution. Here, it is about a healthy fear that keeps people from wrongdoing.
• "evil" (רַע, ra'): This word is a general term for wrongdoing or harmful behavior. The verse is not just about any mistake, but about serious acts that harm the community.

Why Deuteronomy 19:20 matters

• Deuteronomy 19:20 clarifies that justice in ancient Israel was not only about punishing the guilty but also about protecting the community by discouraging others from doing wrong.
• The verse shows that public consequences for wrongdoing were meant to teach and warn, not just to punish the individual offender.
• This verse connects to the wider passage about false witnesses, showing that God’s law aimed to keep the community honest and safe by making examples of serious offenses.