John Calvin Commentary Exodus 23:7

"Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked." — Exodus 23:7 (ASV)

Keep thee far from a false matter. Since he seems to speak of perjury, which brings about the death of the innocent, some might perhaps prefer that this passage should be connected to the Sixth Commandment. But this is easily resolved, for Moses is expressly condemning false witness.

At the same time, he provides an example of it, through which it may become clear how detestable a crime it is: namely, the killing of a brother by false accusation, because the false witness kills him with his tongue rather than the executioner with his sword.

Although, therefore, it is a gross act of inhumanity to lie in general against one’s brother, yet its atrocity is increased if he is put to death by perjury, because murder is thus combined with perfidy.

A threat follows, by which God summons false witnesses before His tribunal, where those who have brought the good into danger by their falsehoods shall not escape with impunity.