Deuteronomy 25:1

Controversy. A dispute leading to litigation, as is plain from what follows. The word thus translated is from the root “to agitate,” “to quarrel noisily,” “to shout” (see Genesis 26:22; Job 9:3; Proverbs 25:9). The noun form, as used here, appears also in Genesis 13:7; Job 31:13.

Unto judgment. “Into court” (RSV), the place of judgment (1 Kings 7:7; Isaiah 28:6). The word “judgment” also refers to the process or procedure of justice in the courts (Job 14:3; Ecclesiastes 1:9; 12:14). Finally, it is used of the decision or “judgment” handed down by a judge after hearing a case (Malachi 2:17).

Justify the righteous. Literally, “cause to be righteous the righteous one.” The one falsely accused was to be exonerated and acquitted. The word here translated “righteous” is also used of the righteousness of the justified sinner before God. Here it is used in the legal sense of pronouncing a man not guilty (see Exodus 22:9; 2 Samuel 15:4; Psalm 94:21; Proverbs 17:15; Isaiah 5:23). Courts were established by God’s own direction.

Condemn the wicked. The words here translated “condemn” and “wicked” are from the same root. Literally, the expression would read, “to cause to be regulated the abnormal [unregulated] ones.” The related Arabic root means “to be loose” (of the limbs), and therefore “ill regulated” or “out of joint.” An endeavor was to be made to rehabilitate and regulate, rather than to punish in the sense of vengeance.