Tree of Life Version
Deuteronomy 25:1
1“Suppose there is a dispute between people and they approach the court, the judges hear their case, and declare one righteous and the other guilty.
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
“Suppose there is a dispute between people and they approach the court, the judges hear their case, and declare one righteous and the other guilty. 2Now if the guilty one deserves to be flogged, the judge is to make him lie down and be flogged before him, with the number of lashes in proportion to his guilt. 3He may strike him 40 times but no more. Otherwise he would beat him with too many a wound beyond these, and your brother would be degraded in your eyes.
Read all of Deuteronomy 25Deuteronomy 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 16:18“Judges and officers you are to appoint within all your gates that Adonai your God is giving you, according to your tribes; and they are to judge the people with righteous judgment.
- Deuteronomy 17:8“Suppose a matter arises that is too hard for you to judge—over bloodshed, legal claims or assault—matters of controversy within your gates. Then you should go up to the place Adonai your God chooses,
- Deuteronomy 19:17Then both people who have the dispute will stand before Adonai, before the kohanim and judges in charge at that time.
- Exodus 23:6“You are not to pervert justice to your poor in his dispute.
- 2 Samuel 23:3The God of Israel has said, the Rock of Israel has spoken to me, ‘He who rules over men righteously, he who rules in the fear of God—
- 2 Chronicles 19:6He said to the judges. “Consider what you are doing, for you do not judge for man but for Adonai who is with you when you pass judgment.
- Job 29:7When I went out to the city gate, and secured my seat in the public square,
- Psalms 58:1For the music director: “Do Not Destroy,” a Michtam of David.
- Psalms 82:2“How long will you judge unjustly and show partiality to the wicked? Selah
- Proverbs 17:15Acquitting the wicked and condemning the righteous: both are an abomination to Adonai.
- Proverbs 31:8Open your mouth on behalf of those unable to speak, for the justice of all who are destitute.
- Isaiah 1:17Learn to do good, seek justice, relieve the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.”
- Isaiah 5:23who justify the wicked for a bribe, and deprive the innocent of justice!
- Isaiah 11:4But with righteousness He will judge the poor, and decide with fairness for the poor of the land. He will strike the land with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He will slay the wicked.
- Isaiah 32:1Behold, a king will reign in righteousness and princes will rule in justice.
- Jeremiah 21:12O house of David, thus says Adonai: “Render justice by morning, and rescue the one who is robbed out of the hand of the oppressor. Otherwise My fury will go forth like fire and burn so none can extinguish it, because of their evil deeds.”
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
In the dictionaries
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
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