Ver. 16. To testify against him that which is wrong— That is, to accuse him, to lay any crime to his charge. Houbigant tenders it very properly, ut eum criminis accusat: that he may accuse him of a crime: and as the detection of a false witness was extremely difficult, the most diligent and exact inquiry was to be made by the priests and judges, ver. 17, 18. Some of the most excellent of our English laws are grounded upon this law; as that of the thirty-seventh of Edward III. chap. 18 which ordains, that "all they who make suggestion, shall be sent with the same suggestion before the chancellor, treasurer, &c. and his grand counsel; and that they there find surety to pursue their suggestions; and incur the same pain which the other should have had, if he were attainted, in case that his suggestions be found evil," &c. And in the thirty-eighth of the same reign, chap. 9 it is enacted, "That if he that maketh complaint, cannot prove his intent against the defendant, in the same article, he shall be commanded to prison, there to abide till he hath made gree to the party of his damages, and of the slander that he hath suffered upon such occasion, and after shall make fine and ransom to the king."
Related Commentaries of Deuteronomy 19:16
Deuteronomy 19:16
16 If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong;