Deuteronomy 19:17

WEB

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;

KJV

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;

Commentary

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 ju dges 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 Deu 17:9 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 (a), an oath of witness is made by men, and not by women; on which it is observed (b) 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. (a) Misn. Shebuot, c. 4. sect. 1. (b) Bartenora in ib.