Bible Strands
Deuteronomy 17:6
On the testimony of two or three witnesses a man shall be put to death, but he shall not be executed on the testimony of a lone witness.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The directive addresses the Israelite community concerning judicial procedure for capital offenses. It functions as a procedural rule within the broader regulations for handling evil within the camp.
The words — `pi` (mouth/testimony) and `yu.Mat` (he will be put to death) anchor the verse's legal mechanism. The text literally requires the "mouth of two or three witnesses" as the sole basis for the execution.
The thread — This two-or-three-witness standard for capital execution appears in Numbers 35:30, is cited in Hebrews 10:28, and is reinforced in Deuteronomy 19:15. Each reference reiterates that a single account cannot establish guilt.
Why it lands — The text demands multiple corroborating accounts before a court may impose capital punishment. It requires readers to reject execution based on unverified accusation and to verify claims through independent testimony.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.
Cross-references
- Numbers 35:30 If anyone kills a person, the murderer is to be put to death on the testimony of the witnesses. But no one is to be put to death based on the testimony of a lone witness.
- Hebrews 10:28 Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
- Deuteronomy 19:15 A lone witness is not sufficient to establish any wrongdoing or sin against a man, regardless of what offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.
- Matthew 18:16 But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’
- 1 Timothy 5:19 Do not entertain an accusation against an elder, except on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
- John 8:17 Even in your own Law it is written that the testimony of two men is valid.
- 2 Corinthians 13:1 This is the third time I am coming to you. “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.”