Shoftim 19:16 · unit 1

TT #242 · Parashas Shoftim · Sixth Aliyah · Passuk 19:16

The Complete Passuk

כִּֽי־יָק֥וּם עֵד־חָמָ֖ס בְּאִ֑ישׁ לַעֲנ֥וֹת בּ֖וֹ סָרָֽה׃

If a malicious witness rises up against a man to testify against him of rebellion.

Torah Temimah points to Sifrei Devarim 189 / Makkos.

TT lemma: עֵד חָמָס.

Core Text

עֵד חָמָס – זֶה עֵד זוֹמֵם.

English: ‘A malicious witness’ – this is a conspiring (zomem) witness.

On the daf / in context: The verse introduces the law of edim zomemim (conspiring witnesses).

Derash identifying the malicious witness (Sifrei / Bavli) — the term is the source for the zomemim procedure.

A malicious witness who testifies falsely is subject to the law of conspiring witnesses (edim zomemim).