John Gill Commentary Deuteronomy 19:17

John Gill Commentary

Deuteronomy 19:17

1697–1771
Reformed Baptist
John Gill
John Gill

John Gill Commentary

Deuteronomy 19:17

1697–1771
Reformed Baptist
SCRIPTURE

"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;" — Deuteronomy 19:17 (ASV)

Then both the men between whom the controversy is
The man that bears the false witness, and the man against whom it is borne:

shall stand before the Lord ;
as in the presence of him, the omniscient God, and as represented by judges and civil magistrates, whose vicegerents they are; so it seems to be explained in the next words, which are exegetical of these:

before the priests and the judges which shall be in those days ;
which shall compose the sanhedrim, or court of judicature; and this seems to confirm it, that by priest and judge, in (Deuteronomy 17:9Deuteronomy 17:12) are meant priests and judges.

Jarchi says, this Scripture speaks of witnesses, that is, of the false witness that testifies wrong against a man, and another that contradicts his testimony, and teaches that there is no witness by women; and so it is elsewhere said F1 , an oath of witness is made by men, and not by women; on which it is observed F2 that a woman is not fit to bear witness, as it is written,

then both the men
men and not women; and the above writer remarks further, that it teaches that they ought to bear testimony standing.


FOOTNOTES:

  • F1: Misn. Shebuot, c. 4. sect. 1.
  • F2: Bartenora in ib.