Deuteronomy 17:6

Deuteronomy 17:6 in other versions

• King James Version (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.
• New International Version (NIV)On the testimony of two or three witnesses a person is to be put to death, but no one is to be put to death on the testimony of only one witness.
• English Standard Version (ESV)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.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Whoever is deserving of death shall be put to death on the testimony of two or three witnesses; he shall not be put to death on the testimony of one witness.

Context of Deuteronomy 17:6

4When you are told about it, investigate it thoroughly. If it’s true and it can be proven that this disgusting thing has been done in Israel, 5then bring the man or woman who did this evil thing to the gates of your city, and stone that person to death. The person can only be sentenced to death on the testimony of two or three witnesses, but no one should ever be sentenced to death on the testimony of only one witness. 7The witnesses must start the execution, then all the other people will join them in putting the person to death. You must get rid of this evil. 8There may be a case that is too hard for you to decide. It may involve murder, assault, or a dispute—any case which may be brought to court in your cities. Take this case to the place that the Lord your God will choose.

Deuteronomy 17:6 word by word

עַל־פִּ֣י׀ שְׁנַ֣יִם עֵדִ֗ים א֛וֹ שְׁלֹשָׁ֥ה עֵדִ֖ים יוּמַ֣ת הַמֵּ֑ת לֹ֣א יוּמַ֔ת עַל־פִּ֖י עֵ֥ד אֶחָֽד׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• At the mouthפֶּהpeh · lip: wordH6310
• of twoשְׁנַ֫יִםshenayim shettayim · twoH8147
• witnessesעֵד‛êd · witnessH5707
• or threeשָׁלֹשׁshâlôsh shâlôsh shelôshâh shelôshâh · threeH7969
• shall he that is worthy of deathמוּתmûth · to dieH4191
• of oneאֶחָד'echâd · oneH259

Cross-references for Deuteronomy 17:6

• Deuteronomy 19:15One witness is never enough to convict someone of a crime, offense, or sin he may have committed. Cases must be settled based on the testimony of two or three witnesses.
• Numbers 35:30“Whoever kills another person will be put to death as a murderer only on the testimony of more than one witness. No one can be put to death on the testimony of only one witness.
• Matthew 18:16But if he does not listen, take one or two others with you so that every accusation may be verified by two or three witnesses.
• John 8:17Your own teachings say that the testimony of two people is true.
• 2 Corinthians 13:1This is the third time that I’ll be visiting you. Every accusation must be verified by two or three witnesses.
• 1 Timothy 5:19Don’t pay attention to an accusation against a spiritual leader unless it is supported by two or three witnesses.
• Hebrews 10:28If two or three witnesses accused someone of rejecting Moses’ Teachings, that person was shown no mercy as he was executed.

Commentaries on Deuteronomy 17:6

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 6Two witnesses - One might be deceived, or be prejudiced or malicious; therefore God required two substantial witnesses for the support of the charge.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2-7Verses 2-7 Compare Deuteronomy 13:1 ff. Here special reference is made to the legal forms to be adopted, Deuteronomy 17:5-7. The sentence was to be carried into effect at “the gates” (compare Genesis 19:1 note) of the town in which the crime was committed; because, as “all the people” were to take a part, an open space would be requisite for the execution. Note the typical and prophetical aspect of the injunction; compare Acts 7:58; Hebrews 13:12.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-13The community of Israel, like any nation, needed different kinds of leaders. These leaders helped keep the people united and guided them in the right direction. The Lord told Moses to set up a proper system of leadership. He also gave clear standards for choosing leaders and explained the duties of each role.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2-72-7. If there be found among you ... man or woman, that hath wrought wickedness--The grand object contemplated in choosing Israel was to preserve the knowledge and worship of the one true God; and hence idolatry of any kind, whether of the heavenly bodies or in some grosser form, is called "a transgression of His covenant." No rank or sex could palliate this crime. Every reported case, even a flying rumor of the perpetration of so heinous an offense, was…Read the comment

Topics related to Deuteronomy 17:6

• Church
• Evidence
• Homicide
• Intolerance, Religious
• Punishment
• Witness

In the dictionaries

• Idolatry
• Mouth
• Murder
• Stephen
• Witness
• Atonement, Day of
• Courts, Judicial
• Criticism
• Die
• Exodus, the Book of

Commentaries on Deuteronomy 17

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings