Deuteronomy 19:17
New International Version
the two people involved in the dispute must stand in the presence of the LORD before the priests and the judges who are in office at the time.

New Living Translation
then both the accuser and accused must appear before the LORD by coming to the priests and judges in office at that time.

English Standard Version
then both parties to the dispute shall appear before the LORD, before the priests and the judges who are in office in those days.

Berean Standard Bible
both parties to the dispute must stand in the presence of the LORD, before the priests and judges who are in office at that time.

King James Bible
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;

New King James Version
then both men in the controversy shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges who serve in those days.

New American Standard Bible
then both people who have the dispute shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges who will be in office in those days.

NASB 1995
then both the men who have the dispute shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges who will be in office in those days.

NASB 1977
then both the men who have the dispute shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges who will be in office in those days.

Legacy Standard Bible
then both the men who have the dispute shall stand before Yahweh, before the priests and the judges who will be in office in those days.

Amplified Bible
then both parties to the controversy shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges who will be in office at that time.

Christian Standard Bible
the two people in the dispute are to stand in the presence of the LORD before the priests and judges in authority at that time.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
the two people in the dispute must stand in the presence of the LORD before the priests and judges in authority at that time.

American Standard Version
then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before Jehovah, before the priests and the judges that shall be in those days;

English Revised Version
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;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The two people involved must stand in the LORD's presence, in front of the priests and judges who are serving at that time.

Good News Translation
both of you are to go to the one place of worship and be judged by the priests and judges who are then in office.

International Standard Version
then both must stand with their dispute in the LORD's presence, the priests, and the judges at that time.

Majority Standard Bible
both parties to the dispute must stand in the presence of the LORD, before the priests and judges who are in office at that time.

NET Bible
then both parties to the controversy must stand before the LORD, that is, before the priests and judges who will be in office in those days.

New Heart English Bible
then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges who shall be in those days;

Webster's Bible Translation
Then both the men between whom the controversy is shall stand before the LORD, before the priests, and the judges, who shall be in those days;

World English Bible
then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before Yahweh, before the priests and the judges who shall be in those days;
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
then both of the men who have the strife have stood before YHWH, before the priests and the judges who are in those days,

Young's Literal Translation
then have both the men who have the strife stood before Jehovah, before the priests and the judges who are in those days,

Smith's Literal Translation
And the two men to whom is the contention stood before Jehovah, before the priests and the judges who shall be in those days;
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Both of them, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the Lord in the sight of the priests and the judges that shall be in those days.

Catholic Public Domain Version
both of those whose case it is shall stand before the Lord in the sight of the priests and the judges who shall be in those days.

New American Bible
the two parties in the dispute shall appear in the presence of the LORD, in the presence of the priests and judges in office at that time,

New Revised Standard Version
then both parties to the dispute shall appear before the LORD, before the priests and the judges who are in office in those days,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then both the men between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges who shall be in those days;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Both men who have a legal case will stand before LORD JEHOVAH and before the Priests and the Judges there will be in those days;
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges that shall be in those days.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
then shall the two men between whom the controversy is, stand before the Lord, and before the priests, and before the judges, who may be in those days.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Testimony of Two or Three Witnesses
16If a false witness testifies against someone, accusing him of a crime, 17both parties to the dispute must stand in the presence of the LORD, before the priests and judges who are in office at that time. 18The judges shall investigate thoroughly, and if the witness is proven to be a liar who has falsely accused his brother,…

Cross References
Matthew 18:16
But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’

2 Corinthians 13:1
This is the third time I am coming to you. “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.”

1 Timothy 5:19
Do not entertain an accusation against an elder, except on the testimony of two or three witnesses.

Hebrews 10:28
Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.

John 8:17
Even in your own Law it is written that the testimony of two men is valid.

Numbers 35:30
If anyone kills a person, the murderer is to be put to death on the testimony of the witnesses. But no one is to be put to death based on the testimony of a lone witness.

Deuteronomy 17:6
On the testimony of two or three witnesses a man shall be put to death, but he shall not be executed on the testimony of a lone witness.

Deuteronomy 19:15
A lone witness is not sufficient to establish any wrongdoing or sin against a man, regardless of what offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.

Matthew 18:20
For where two or three gather together in My name, there am I with them.”

Acts 6:13
where they presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law.

1 Kings 21:10-13
But seat two scoundrels opposite him and have them testify, ‘You have cursed both God and the king!’ Then take him out and stone him to death.” / So the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth’s city did as Jezebel had instructed in the letters she had written to them. / They proclaimed a fast and gave Naboth a seat of honor among the people. ...

Proverbs 18:17
The first to state his case seems right until another comes and cross-examines him.

Exodus 23:1
“You shall not spread a false report. Do not join the wicked by being a malicious witness.

Leviticus 19:15
You must not pervert justice; you must not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the rich; you are to judge your neighbor fairly.

Deuteronomy 1:16-17
At that time I charged your judges: “Hear the disputes between your brothers, and judge fairly between a man and his brother or a foreign resident. / Show no partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be intimidated by anyone, for judgment belongs to God. And bring to me any case too difficult for you, and I will hear it.”


Treasury of Scripture

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;

Deuteronomy 17:9
And thou shalt come unto the priests the Levites, and unto the judge that shall be in those days, and inquire; and they shall shew thee the sentence of judgment:

Deuteronomy 21:5
And the priests the sons of Levi shall come near; for them the LORD thy God hath chosen to minister unto him, and to bless in the name of the LORD; and by their word shall every controversy and every stroke be tried:

Malachi 2:7
For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.

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Appear Argument Controversy Dispute Involved Judges Office Parties Power Presence Priests Stand Stood Strife Time
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Appear Argument Controversy Dispute Involved Judges Office Parties Power Presence Priests Stand Stood Strife Time
Deuteronomy 19
1. The cities of refuge
4. The privilege thereof for the manslayer
14. The landmark is not to be removed
15. At least two witnesses are required
16. the punishment of a false witness














both parties to the dispute
This phrase indicates the requirement for both individuals involved in a conflict to be present. The Hebrew root for "dispute" is "רִיב" (riv), which implies a legal contention or controversy. In ancient Israel, disputes were not merely personal but had communal implications, reflecting the importance of justice and reconciliation in maintaining societal harmony. This requirement underscores the biblical principle of fairness and impartiality, ensuring that both sides are heard, which is foundational to justice.

must stand
The act of standing signifies readiness and respect. In the Hebrew context, "עמד" (amad) means to stand or present oneself. This posture is not just physical but also symbolic of accountability and transparency before God and the community. It reflects the solemnity of the occasion, where individuals are called to present their case truthfully and with integrity.

in the presence of the LORD
This phrase highlights the theocratic nature of Israel's judicial system, where God is the ultimate judge. The Hebrew term "לִפְנֵי יְהוָה" (lifnei YHWH) means before the face of the LORD, indicating that all judgments are made with divine oversight. This presence ensures that justice is not merely a human endeavor but a divine mandate, reminding the parties involved of the moral and spiritual dimensions of their actions.

before the priests and judges
The priests and judges served as God's representatives in legal matters. The Hebrew words "כֹּהֲנִים" (kohanim) for priests and "שֹׁפְטִים" (shoftim) for judges indicate their roles in interpreting and applying God's law. Priests were responsible for religious instruction and maintaining purity, while judges were tasked with civil and criminal matters. Their presence ensured that decisions were grounded in both spiritual and legal wisdom.

who are in office at that time
This phrase emphasizes the continuity and adaptability of leadership. The Hebrew "אֲשֶׁר יִהְיוּ בַּיָּמִים הָהֵם" (asher yihyu bayamim hahem) suggests that the authority of priests and judges is not static but dynamic, adapting to the needs of the time. This adaptability ensures that justice remains relevant and responsive to contemporary issues, while still rooted in eternal principles.

Verse 17. - Both the men, i.e. both parties at the bar, shall stand before the Lord; i.e. shall come to the sanctuary where Jehovah had his dwelling-place in the midst of his people, and where the supreme judges, who were his delegates and representatives, held their court (Deuteronomy 17:9).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
both
שְׁנֵֽי־ (šə·nê-)
Number - mdc
Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number)

parties
הָאֲנָשִׁ֛ים (hā·’ă·nā·šîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

to the dispute
הָרִ֖יב (hā·rîḇ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7379: Strife, dispute

must stand
וְעָמְד֧וּ (wə·‘ā·mə·ḏū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations

in the presence
לִפְנֵ֣י (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

of the LORD,
יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

before
לִפְנֵ֤י (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

the priests
הַכֹּֽהֲנִים֙ (hak·kō·hă·nîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3548: Priest

and judges
וְהַשֹּׁ֣פְטִ֔ים (wə·haš·šō·p̄ə·ṭîm)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 8199: To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate

who
אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

are
יִהְי֖וּ (yih·yū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

[in office]
לָהֶ֥ם (lā·hem)
Preposition-l | Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992: They

at that
הָהֵֽם׃ (hā·hêm)
Article | Pronoun - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1992: They

time.
בַּיָּמִ֥ים (bay·yā·mîm)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3117: A day


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OT Law: Deuteronomy 19:17 Then both the men between whom (Deut. De Du)
Deuteronomy 19:16
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