Deuteronomy 19:17 - The Testimony of Two or Three Witnesses

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 ...

both parties to the dispute
In ancient Israel, disputes often arose over property, inheritance, or personal injury. The Mosaic Law provided a framework for resolving these conflicts. The requirement for both parties to be present ensured fairness and transparency. This reflects the biblical principle of justice, as seen in Exodus 23:1-3, which emphasizes impartiality and truthfulness in legal matters.

must stand in the presence of the LORD
Standing in the presence of the LORD signifies the solemnity and seriousness of the proceedings. It underscores the belief that God is the ultimate judge and witness to all human actions. This concept is echoed in 2 Chronicles 19:6, where judges are reminded to act with the fear of the LORD, recognizing His authority over all judgments.

before the priests and judges
The priests and judges served as mediators and interpreters of the Law. Priests, from the tribe of Levi, were responsible for religious instruction and maintaining the covenant relationship between God and Israel. Judges, appointed for their wisdom and integrity, ensured that civil and criminal laws were upheld. This dual role highlights the integration of religious and civil duties in Israelite society, as seen in Deuteronomy 17:9-12.

who are in office at that time
This phrase indicates the temporal nature of leadership roles, suggesting that the authority of priests and judges was not permanent but subject to change. It reflects the dynamic nature of governance in Israel, where leaders were appointed based on current needs and circumstances. This is consistent with the biblical narrative of leadership transitions, such as the appointment of judges in the Book of Judges and the succession of high priests in 1 Samuel 2:35.

Persons / Places / Events

1. The LORD
The ultimate judge and authority in all matters, emphasizing the divine oversight in judicial processes.

2. Priests
Religious leaders responsible for spiritual guidance and maintaining the law, serving as mediators in disputes.

3. Judges
Appointed officials tasked with interpreting and applying the law, ensuring justice is served.

4. Disputing Parties
Individuals involved in a legal disagreement, required to present their case before God and His appointed leaders.

5. Presence of the LORD
The setting for the resolution of disputes, signifying the sacredness and seriousness of the proceedings.

Teaching Points

Divine Oversight in Justice
Recognize that all justice ultimately comes from God, and our systems should reflect His righteousness and fairness.

Role of Spiritual Leaders
Understand the importance of involving spiritual leaders in resolving disputes, as they provide wisdom and guidance rooted in God's Word.

Impartiality and Fairness
Strive for impartiality in all judgments, ensuring that personal biases do not influence decisions.

Community Accountability
Embrace the role of the community in maintaining justice, as disputes are not just personal but affect the broader body of believers.

Sacredness of Justice
Approach all matters of justice with reverence, acknowledging that they are conducted in the presence of the LORD.

Lists and Questions

Top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 19How did early Israelites fulfill the centralized requirement of bringing firstfruits (Deuteronomy 26) before a formal temple or priesthood was consistently established?Who was Jael and what did she do?Deuteronomy 19:15-19: How can a strict penalty for false witnesses reconcile with passages elsewhere in the Bible that emphasize forgiveness?Joshua 24:14-15 - How does this pledge to exclusively serve the Lord reconcile with the later biblical narratives showing continued idolatry in Israel?

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

Links

Deuteronomy 19:17 NIV
Deuteronomy 19:17 NLT
Deuteronomy 19:17 ESV
Deuteronomy 19:17 NASB
Deuteronomy 19:17 KJVDeuteronomy 19:17 BibleApps.com
Deuteronomy 19:17 Biblia Paralela
Deuteronomy 19:17 Chinese Bible
Deuteronomy 19:17 French Bible
Deuteronomy 19:17 Catholic BibleOT Law: Deuteronomy 19:17 Then both the men between whom (Deut. De Du)