Deuteronomy 19:20

Authorized King James Version

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And those which remain shall hear, and fear, and shall henceforth commit no more any such evil among you.

Original Language Analysis

וְהַנִּשְׁאָרִ֖ים And those which remain H7604
וְהַנִּשְׁאָרִ֖ים And those which remain
Strong's: H7604
Word #: 1 of 11
properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant
יִשְׁמְע֣וּ shall hear H8085
יִשְׁמְע֣וּ shall hear
Strong's: H8085
Word #: 2 of 11
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
וְיִרָ֑אוּ and fear H3372
וְיִרָ֑אוּ and fear
Strong's: H3372
Word #: 3 of 11
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
וְלֹֽא H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 4 of 11
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יֹסִ֨פוּ and shall henceforth H3254
יֹסִ֨פוּ and shall henceforth
Strong's: H3254
Word #: 5 of 11
to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)
לַֽעֲשׂ֜וֹת commit H6213
לַֽעֲשׂ֜וֹת commit
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 6 of 11
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
ע֗וֹד H5750
ע֗וֹד
Strong's: H5750
Word #: 7 of 11
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
כַּדָּבָ֥ר no more any H1697
כַּדָּבָ֥ר no more any
Strong's: H1697
Word #: 8 of 11
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
הָרָ֛ע such evil H7451
הָרָ֛ע such evil
Strong's: H7451
Word #: 9 of 11
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
הַזֶּ֖ה H2088
הַזֶּ֖ה
Strong's: H2088
Word #: 10 of 11
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
בְּקִרְבֶּֽךָ׃ among H7130
בְּקִרְבֶּֽךָ׃ among
Strong's: H7130
Word #: 11 of 11
properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)

Analysis & Commentary

And those which remain shall hear, and fear (וְהַנִּשְׁאָרִים יִשְׁמְעוּ וְיִרָאוּ, ve-ha-nish'arim yishme'u ve-yira'u)—public justice serves both punishment and education. The verb shama (שָׁמַע, "hear") implies not just auditory reception but understanding and taking to heart. The verb yare (יָרֵא, "fear") indicates healthy fear that produces behavioral change, not paralyzing terror.

And shall henceforth commit no more any such evil among you (וְלֹא־יֹסִפוּ לַעֲשׂוֹת עוֹד כַּדָּבָר הָרָע הַזֶּה בְּקִרְבֶּךָ, ve-lo-yosifu la'asot od ka-davar ha-ra ha-zeh be-qirbbekha)—the purpose of punishing perjury is deterrence. This same formula appears in similar contexts (Deuteronomy 13:11, 17:13, 21:21) regarding capital punishment for serious crimes. The assumption is that when people see justice executed, they will be deterred from similar wickedness. This presumes judicial transparency—punishments must be known and understood to deter.

Historical Context

Public execution of judgment served pedagogical purposes in ancient Israel. Unlike modern incarceration, which removes offenders from public view, ancient justice was often communal and visible. Stoning, for instance, required community participation (Deuteronomy 17:7), forcing witnesses to bear responsibility and teaching observers the seriousness of the crime. The emphasis on hearing and fearing suggests that judicial verdicts were publicly announced, perhaps at city gates where legal proceedings occurred. This communal approach to justice reinforced shared values and maintained social cohesion through collective accountability.

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