This commandment, "thou shall not bear false witness" (Exod. 20:16; BDB 772, KB 851, Qal IMPERFECT, like "murder," Exod. 20:13; "adultery," Exod. 20:14; "steal," Exod. 20:15; and "covet," Exod. 20:17) relates to the judicial system of Israel (cf. Exod. 23:1; Deut. 19:15-21; 1Kgs. 21:8-14). A false testimony usually resulted in the death of the one falsely accused. Therefore, the false witness was executed (cf. Deut. 19:15-21). It was a serious violation of covenant responsibility (cf. Exod. 23:7; Ps. 101:5). Believers are to love their neighbors (i.e., covenant partners) as themselves (cf. Lev. 19:18). God does not lie; His people should not lie!
In the OT two witnesses were required to convict (cf. Num. 35:30; Deut. 17:6; 19:15). "He said. . .she said" cases were not part of Israel's legal system. The "benefit of the doubt" was given unless there were two eye witnesses.
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