Deuteronomy 19:15 kjv
One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.
Deuteronomy 19:15 nkjv
"One witness shall not rise against a man concerning any iniquity or any sin that he commits; by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established.
Deuteronomy 19:15 niv
One witness is not enough to convict anyone accused of any crime or offense they may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.
Deuteronomy 19:15 esv
"A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed. Only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge be established.
Deuteronomy 19:15 nlt
"You must not convict anyone of a crime on the testimony of only one witness. The facts of the case must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.
Deuteronomy 19 15 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 35:30 | "Whoever kills any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses, but one witness shall not testify against a person to cause him to die." | Requires multiple witnesses for murder conviction. |
| Deut 17:6 | "On the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses the one who is to die shall be put to death; a person shall not be put to death on the evidence of one witness." | Reinforces the rule for capital punishment. |
| Prov 24:28 | "Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips." | Condemns bearing false witness. |
| Prov 19:9 | "A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will perish." | Consequence for false testimony. |
| Matt 18:16 | "But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses." | Applied to church discipline. |
| 2 Cor 13:1 | "This is the third time I am coming to you. Every charge must be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses." | Paul uses the principle for disputes. |
| 1 Tim 5:19 | "Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses." | Applied to accusations against church leaders. |
| Heb 10:28 | "Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses." | Legal standard under Mosaic Law for judgment. |
| John 8:17 | "In your law it is written that the testimony of two people is true." | Jesus acknowledges the law's validity. |
| 1 Kgs 21:10 | "And set two worthless men before him, and let them bring a charge against him, saying, ‘You have cursed God and the king,’ then take him out and stone him to death.” | Example of misuse of the witness principle (Jezebel's false witnesses). |
| 1 Kgs 21:13 | "And the two worthless men came in... and testified against him before the people..." | Confirmation of false testimony against Naboth. |
| Mark 14:56-59 | "For many bore false witness against him... For many bore false witness against him, but their testimony did not agree." | False witnesses against Jesus failing corroboration. |
| Acts 6:13 | "And they set up false witnesses who said, 'This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law...' " | False witnesses against Stephen. |
| Rev 11:3 | "And I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth." | Symbolic application: two prophetic witnesses. |
| Num 35:19 | "The avenger of blood himself shall put the murderer to death; when he meets him, he shall put him to death." | Context of the legal framework where witnesses are key for justice. |
| Deut 13:12-14 | "If you hear it said... you shall inquire and make search and ask diligently. And behold, if it proves true... then you shall surely strike the inhabitants of that city..." | Emphasizes diligent inquiry for certainty, underpinning the need for sure evidence. |
| Exod 23:1 | "You shall not spread a false report. You shall not join hands with a wicked man to be a malicious witness." | General prohibition against malicious testimony. |
| Lev 5:1 | "If anyone sins in that he hears a public adjuration to testify, and though he is a witness... does not tell it..." | Obligation to testify when privy to information. |
| Prov 12:17 | "Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit." | Contrast between truthful and deceitful witnesses. |
| Prov 25:18 | "A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow." | Severity of harm caused by false witness. |
| Deut 5:20 | "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor." | The Ninth Commandment directly relates to testimony. |
| Titus 3:10 | "As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him," | Implies a process involving repeated confrontation/testimony similar to Matt 18. |
Deuteronomy 19 verses
Deuteronomy 19 15 Meaning
Deuteronomy 19:15 establishes a foundational principle of ancient Israelite jurisprudence, prohibiting conviction in legal matters based on the testimony of a single witness. To ensure justice and prevent false accusations, it mandates that any accusation for an iniquity or sin must be corroborated by the direct testimony of at least two or three witnesses before a judgment or "matter" can be considered legally established and true. This law serves as a vital safeguard against arbitrary power and malicious intent, emphasizing the sanctity of individual rights and the pursuit of truth in legal proceedings.
Deuteronomy 19 15 Context
Deuteronomy chapter 19 outlines laws pertaining to justice, especially focusing on unintentional manslaughter, cities of refuge, and the prevention of false testimony. Verse 15 is central to ensuring fair judicial proceedings within Israel. It immediately follows the regulations concerning cities of refuge, which were established to protect individuals from retaliatory bloodshed if they accidentally killed someone, highlighting the seriousness with which life was protected. By requiring multiple witnesses, this law prevents innocent individuals from being unjustly condemned for serious offenses. Historically, this system was revolutionary for its time, placing a high standard of proof that guarded against unchecked authority or individual vengeance, aiming to establish a legal system rooted in impartiality and divine truth. It provided a bulwark against the kind of abuses seen in the Naboth incident (1 Kgs 21).
Deuteronomy 19 15 Word analysis
- A single witness (עֵד אֶחָד - 'ed 'echad): This phrase unequivocally states that the testimony of only one individual is insufficient for legal conviction. It introduces the protective principle that no man can be condemned solely on the word of one person, safeguarding against error, bias, or malevolent intent.
- shall not rise up against (לֹא יָקוּם עַל - lo' yaqum 'al): "Rise up" (from the root קום - qum) indicates a formal accusation or standing in opposition within a legal context. It denotes taking an active stand to make a charge, signifying the solemnity of such an act. The prohibition ensures no singular accusation can initiate legal action culminating in conviction without corroboration.
- a man (בְּאִישׁ - b'ish): Refers to any male individual, but in this general context, it signifies any person, highlighting the universal application of this protective law to all citizens.
- for any iniquity (לְכָל־עָוֹן - l'chol-'avon): "Iniquity" (עָוֹן - 'avon) denotes a grave moral distortion or twisted behavior, implying deliberate wrongdoing or guilt, often carrying a sense of transgression or moral perversity. This clause covers serious offenses.
- or for any sin (וּלְכָל־חֵטְא - ul'chol-chet'): "Sin" (חֵטְא - chet') generally means "missing the mark" or failing, encompassing a broader range of offenses, both intentional and unintentional. The combination "iniquity or sin" signifies comprehensive coverage, extending the rule to virtually every type of legal charge.
- that he commits (אֲשֶׁר יֶחֱטָא - 'asher yecheta'): Explicitly links the charge to the actions or failings of the accused individual.
- At the mouth of two witnesses (עַל־פִּי שְׁנֵי עֵדִים - 'al-pi shney 'edim): "At the mouth" (עַל־פִּי - 'al-pi) literally means "according to the word" or "by the command/declaration of." This idiom emphasizes direct, oral testimony as the primary source of evidence. Two witnesses establish the absolute minimum required for validation, underscoring the necessity of corroboration.
- or at the mouth of three witnesses (אוֹ עַל־פִּי שְׁלֹשָׁה עֵדִים - 'o 'al-pi shloshah 'edim): Providing for a third witness offers additional strength and certainty, further eliminating doubt and ensuring the reliability of the evidence. It highlights that the legal system valued overwhelming certainty in judicial matters.
- shall a matter be established (יָקוּם דָּבָר - yaqum davar): "Established" (יָקוּם - yaqum) is from the same root (קוּם - qum) as "rise up" for the accuser. This repetition signifies that for a charge to stand firmly (be established), it requires the solid, confirmed footing provided by multiple testimonies, contrasting with the unsupported 'rising up' of a single witness. "Matter" (דָּבָר - davar) refers to the case, charge, or any legal contention at hand. This confirms the legal validity and proof of the accusation.
Words-group analysis
- A single witness shall not rise up against a man: This phrase clearly sets the limitation on the power of an individual accuser, foundational for safeguarding due process and preventing wrongful conviction based on unsubstantiated claims. It implies the inherent risk of personal bias, misunderstanding, or malice in sole testimonies.
- for any iniquity or for any sin that he commits: The scope of this prohibition is made exhaustive, indicating that all forms of moral and legal transgressions, whether considered grave "iniquities" or more general "sins," fall under the same evidentiary rule. This ensures that serious accusations across the board receive proper scrutiny.
- At the mouth of two witnesses or at the mouth of three witnesses shall a matter be established: This definitive statement outlines the absolute requirement for legal proof. It places a high standard on the judiciary by requiring corroborated, direct testimony from multiple, independent sources before a verdict can be considered conclusive and enforceable. This is not just about numerical count but the integrity and alignment of separate accounts.
Deuteronomy 19 15 Bonus section
The principle of requiring multiple witnesses was relatively unique and advanced for ancient legal systems, many of which permitted judgments, particularly from monarchs or powerful individuals, based on singular testimony or mere accusation. This Mosaic law stands out as a protection of the accused's rights against tyranny or vendetta. Furthermore, the requirement of "the mouth" of witnesses signifies direct, oral testimony, rejecting hearsay as valid legal evidence. This standard was meant to cultivate integrity within the community and reflected the seriousness with which God viewed justice and truth, aligning the earthly legal process with divine attributes of fairness and righteousness. This principle contributed to a legal tradition where the burden of proof rested firmly with the accusers and aimed to minimize the possibility of judicial error.
Deuteronomy 19 15 Commentary
Deuteronomy 19:15 is a cornerstone of biblical jurisprudence, reflecting God's nature as just and truthful. It institutes a high bar for legal proof, preventing false convictions and ensuring fairness. This command mandates that no individual can be convicted of any wrongdoing based solely on the word of one person. Instead, charges must be substantiated by the corroborating testimony of at least two or three witnesses. This rigorous standard protected the accused from perjury and malice, emphasizing that justice relies on robust, verifiable evidence. It underscores the sanctity of truth and the value of individual rights in the legal system of Israel, setting a precedent that echoes throughout subsequent biblical law and even into the New Testament application for church discipline, highlighting its enduring principle for verifying truth and maintaining order within community.