King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 19:18 Mean?

Deuteronomy 19:18 in the King James Version says “And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified false...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Deuteronomy 19:18 · KJV

Context

16

If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong; that: or, falling away

17

Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days;

18

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

19

Then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother: so shalt thou put the evil away from among you.

20

And those which remain shall hear, and fear, and shall henceforth commit no more any such evil among you.

Read Deuteronomy 19 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the judges shall make diligent inquisition (וְדָרְשׁוּ הַשֹּׁפְטִים הֵיטֵב, ve-darshu ha-shoftim heitev)—the verb darash (דָּרַשׁ) means to seek, investigate thoroughly, even to interrogate. The adverb heitev (הֵיטֵב, "well, diligently") intensifies the requirement: judges must not accept testimony at face value but actively investigate. This anticipates modern cross-examination and evidence gathering.

And, behold, if the witness be a false witness (וְהִנֵּה עֵד־שֶׁקֶר הָעֵד, ve-hinne ed-sheqer ha-ed)—the word sheqer (שֶׁקֶר) denotes not mere error but deliberate deception, fraud, lying. The phrase hath testified falsely against his brother (shaqer anah be'achiv) uses covenant language: ach (brother) emphasizes that perjury tears the community fabric, betraying kinship bonds. Leviticus 19:16 similarly warns against going about as a talebearer among your people.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Thorough judicial investigation was revolutionary in the ancient Near East, where social status often determined legal outcomes. This law required evidence-based verdicts regardless of the parties' positions. The command to investigate diligently protected both the accused from false conviction and the legal system's integrity from corruption. Later Jewish tradition developed extensive cross-examination procedures (Mishnah Sanhedrin 5:2) based on this command. The requirement that judges actively seek truth rather than passively hear testimony established an adversarial judicial process where evidence was tested and witnesses scrutinized.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the requirement for "diligent inquisition" challenge superficial judgment based on first impressions?
  2. What responsibility do Christians bear to investigate truth carefully before forming judgments about others (cf. Matthew 7:1-5)?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
וְדָֽרְשׁ֥וּ1 of 10

“inquisition”

H1875

properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship

הַשֹּֽׁפְטִ֖ים2 of 10

“And the judges”

H8199

to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal

הֵיטֵ֑ב3 of 10

“shall make diligent”

H3190

to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)

וְהִנֵּ֤ה4 of 10
H2009

lo!

הָעֵ֔ד5 of 10

“and behold if the witness”

H5707

concretely, a witness; abstractly, testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e., prince

שֶׁ֖קֶר6 of 10

“be a false”

H8267

an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial)

הָעֵ֔ד7 of 10

“and behold if the witness”

H5707

concretely, a witness; abstractly, testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e., prince

שֶׁ֖קֶר8 of 10

“be a false”

H8267

an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial)

עָנָ֥ה9 of 10

“and hath testified”

H6030

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

בְאָחִֽיו׃10 of 10

“against his brother”

H251

a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 19:18 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 19:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 17:4Deuteronomy 13:142 Chronicles 19:6-7Job 19:16

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