Deuteronomy 25:1

Deuteronomy 25:1 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)If there be a controversy between men, and they come unto judgment, that the judges may judge them; then they shall justify the righteous, and condemn the wicked.
• New International Version (NIV)When people have a dispute, they are to take it to court and the judges will decide the case, acquitting the innocent and condemning the guilty.
• English Standard Version (ESV)"If there is a dispute between men and they come into court and the judges decide between them, acquitting the innocent and condemning the guilty,
• New King James Version (NKJV)“If there is a dispute between men, and they come to court, that the judges may judge them, and they justify the righteous and condemn the wicked,

Context of Deuteronomy 25:1

This is what you must do whenever ⌞two⌟ people have a disagreement that is brought into court. The judges will hear the case and decide who’s right and who’s wrong. 2If the person who’s in the wrong deserves to be beaten, the judge will order him to lie down. Then the judge will have him beaten with as many lashes as the crime deserves. 3Forty lashes may be given, but no more. If an Israelite were given more than that, he would be publicly humiliated.

Deuteronomy 25:1 word by word

כִּֽי־יִהְיֶ֥ה רִיב֙ בֵּ֣ין אֲנָשִׁ֔ים וְנִגְּשׁ֥וּ אֶל־הַמִּשְׁפָּ֖ט וּשְׁפָט֑וּם וְהִצְדִּ֙יקוּ֙ אֶת־הַצַּדִּ֔יק וְהִרְשִׁ֖יעוּ אֶת־הָרָשָֽׁע׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• If there be a controversyרִיבrîyb rib · strifeH7379
• between menאֱנוֹשׁ'ĕnôsh · humanH582
• and they comeנָגַשׁnâgash · to approach: approachH5066
• unto judgmentמִשְׁפָּטmishpâţ · justice: judgementH4941
• may judgeשָׁפַטshâphaţ · to judgeH8199
• them; then they shall justifyצָדֵקtsâdaq · to justifyH6663
• the righteousצַדִּיקtsaddîyq · righteousH6662
• and condemnרָשַׁעrâsha‛ · be wickedH7561
• the wickedרָשָׁעrâshâ‛ · wickedH7563

Cross-references for Deuteronomy 25:1

• Deuteronomy 16:18Appoint judges and officers for your tribes in every city that the Lord your God is giving you. They are to judge the people fairly.
• Deuteronomy 17:8There may be a case that is too hard for you to decide. It may involve murder, assault, or a dispute—any case which may be brought to court in your cities. Take this case to the place that the Lord your God will choose.
• Deuteronomy 19:17The two people involved must stand in the Lord’s presence, in front of the priests and judges who are serving at that time.
• Exodus 23:6“Never deny justice to poor people in court.
• 2 Samuel 23:3The God of Israel spoke to them. The rock of Israel told me, ‘The one who rules humans with justice rules with the fear of God.
• 2 Chronicles 19:6He told the judges, “Pay attention to what you’re doing. When you judge, you aren’t doing it for a human but for the Lord. He will be with you when you hear a case.
• Job 29:7When I went through the city gate and took my seat in the town square,
• Psalms 58:1Do you rulers really give fair verdicts? Do you judge Adam’s descendants fairly?
• Psalms 82:2“How long are you going to judge unfairly? How long are you going to side with wicked people?” Selah
• Proverbs 17:15Whoever approves of wicked people and whoever condemns righteous people is disgusting to the Lord.
• Proverbs 31:8“Speak out for the one who cannot speak, for the rights of those who are doomed.
• Isaiah 1:17Learn to do good. Seek justice. Arrest oppressors. Defend orphans. Plead the case of widows.”
• Isaiah 5:23who declare the guilty innocent for a bribe, who take away the rights of righteous people.
• Isaiah 11:4He will judge the poor justly. He will make fair decisions for the humble people on earth. He will strike the earth with a rod from his mouth. He will kill the wicked with the breath from his lips.
• Isaiah 32:1A king will rule with fairness, and officials will rule with justice.
• Jeremiah 21:12descendants of David. This is what the Lord says: Judge fairly every morning. Rescue those who have been robbed from those who oppress them. Otherwise, my fury will break out and burn like fire. No one will be able to put it out because of the evil things you have done.

Commentaries on Deuteronomy 25:1

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 1They shall justify the righteous - This is a very important passage, and is a key to several others. The word צדק tsadak is used here precisely in the same sense in which St. Paul sometimes uses the corresponding word , not to justify or make just, but to acquit, declare innocent, to remit punishment, or give reasons why such a one should not be punished; so here the magistrates הצדיקו hitsdiku, shall acquit, the righteous - declare him innocent, because…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 1Render it: (1) If there be a controversy between men, and they come to judgment, and the judges judge them, and justify the righteous and condemn the wicked (compare the marginal reference. and Exodus 23:7; Proverbs 17:15); (2) then it shall be, etc. Deuteronomy 25:2 Scourging is named as a penalty in Leviticus 19:20. The beating here spoken of would be on the back with a rod or stick (compare Proverbs 10:13; Proverbs 19:29; Proverbs 26:3).Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 1Extent of punishment. (1-3) The ox that treadeth the corn. (4) Marriage of a brother's wife. (5-12) Of unjust weights. (13-16) War against Amalek. (17-19) Verses 1-3 Every punishment should be with solemnity, that those who see it may be filled with dread, and be warned not to offend in like manner. And though the criminals must be shamed as well as put to pain, for their warning and disgrace, yet care should be taken that they do not appear totally vile…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1-192-3. if the wicked man be worthy to be beaten--In judicial sentences, which awarded punishment short of capital, scourging, like the Egyptian bastinado, was the most common form in which they were executed. The Mosaic law, however, introduced two important restrictions; namely: (1) The punishment should be inflicted in presence of the judge instead of being inflicted in private by some heartless official; and (2) The maximum amount of it should be limited…Read the comment

Topics related to Deuteronomy 25:1

• Court
• Judge
• Justice
• Rulers

In the dictionaries

• Beat
• Exceed
• Hindmost
• Muzzle
• Stripe
• Stripes
• Atonement, Day of
• Condemn; Condemnation
• Criticism
• Exodus, the Book of

Commentaries on Deuteronomy 25

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings