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Deuteronomy 17:6

Truth and honestyJustice

4 and if it is reported and you hear about it, you must investigate it thoroughly. If the report is true and such an abomination has happened in Israel,

5 you must bring out to your gates the man or woman who has done this evil thing, and you must stone that person to death.

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.

7 The hands of the witnesses shall be the first in putting him to death, and after that, the hands of all the people. So you must purge the evil from among you.

8 If a case is too difficult for you to judge, whether the controversy within your gates is regarding bloodshed, lawsuits, or assaults, you must go up to the place the LORD your God will choose.

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This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
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.
KJV
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.
WEB
At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, he who is to die shall be put to death. At the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.
ASV
At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is to die be put to death; at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.
DARBY
At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is to die be put to death: he shall not be put to death at the mouth of one witness.
BLB
On the testimony of two witnesses or three witnesses he must surely be put to death; he shall not be put to death on the testimony of one witness.
ÅB
Etter to eller tre vitners utsagn skal den late livet som skal dø; han skal ikke late livet bare etter ett vitnes utsagn.
OTB
På vitnesbyrd av to eller tre vitner skal den som fortjener døden, bli dømt til døden. Ingen skal bli dømt til døden på vitnesbyrd av bare ett vitne.
B1930
Efter to eller tre vidners utsagn skal den late livet som skal dø; han skal ikke late livet bare efter ett vidnes utsagn.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Hebrews 10:28

    Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.

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  • 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.’

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  • 1 Timothy 5:19

    Do not entertain an accusation against an elder, except on the testimony of two or three witnesses.

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  • John 8:17–18

    Even in your own Law it is written that the testimony of two men is valid.

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  • 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.”

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