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The Holy Bible, Berean Study Bible
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.
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Bible Study Resources
Concordances:
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- InternationalParallel Translations
Christian Standard Bible®
The one condemned to die is to be executed on the testimony of two or three witnesses. No one is to be executed on the testimony of a single witness.
The one condemned to die is to be executed on the testimony of two or three witnesses. No one is to be executed on the testimony of a single witness.
Hebrew Names Version
At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he who is to die be put to death; at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.
At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he who is to die be put to death; at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.
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.
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.
Lexham English Bible
On the evidence of two or three witnesses the person shall be put to death. The person shall not be put to death by the mouth of one witness.
On the evidence of two or three witnesses the person shall be put to death. The person shall not be put to death by the mouth of one witness.
English Standard Version
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.
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 Century Version
There must be two or three witnesses that it is true before the person is put to death; if there is only one witness, the person should not be put to death.
There must be two or three witnesses that it is true before the person is put to death; if there is only one witness, the person should not be put to death.
New English Translation
At the testimony of two or three witnesses they must be executed. They cannot be put to death on the testimony of only one witness.
At the testimony of two or three witnesses they must be executed. They cannot be put to death on the testimony of only one witness.
Amplified Bible
"On the evidence of two or three witnesses, he who is to die shall be put to death; he shall not be put to death on the evidence of [only] one witness.
"On the evidence of two or three witnesses, he who is to die shall be put to death; he shall not be put to death on the evidence of [only] one witness.
New American Standard Bible
"On the testimony of two witnesses or three witnesses, the condemned shall be put to death; he shall not be put to death on the testimony of only one witness.
"On the testimony of two witnesses or three witnesses, the condemned shall be put to death; he shall not be put to death on the testimony of only one witness.
Geneva Bible (1587)
At the mouth of two or three witnesses shall he that is woorthie of death, die: but at the mouth of one witnesse, he shall not die.
At the mouth of two or three witnesses shall he that is woorthie of death, die: but at the mouth of one witnesse, he shall not die.
Legacy Standard Bible
On the mouth of two witnesses or three witnesses, he who is to die shall be put to death; he shall not be put to death on the mouth of one witness.
On the mouth of two witnesses or three witnesses, he who is to die shall be put to death; he shall not be put to death on the mouth of one witness.
Complete Jewish Bible
The death sentence is to be carried out only if there was testimony from two or three witnesses; he may not be sentenced to death on the testimony of only one witness.
The death sentence is to be carried out only if there was testimony from two or three witnesses; he may not be sentenced to death on the testimony of only one witness.
Darby Translation
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.
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.
Easy-to-Read Version
But no one should be punished with death if only one witness says that person did that evil thing. But if two or three witnesses say it is true, the person must be killed.
But no one should be punished with death if only one witness says that person did that evil thing. But if two or three witnesses say it is true, the person must be killed.
George Lamsa Translation
On the testimony of two witnesses or three witnesses shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but on the testimony of one witness he shall not be put to death.
On the testimony of two witnesses or three witnesses shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but on the testimony of one witness he shall not be put to death.
Good News Translation
However, they may be put to death only if two or more witnesses testify against them; they are not to be put to death if there is only one witness.
However, they may be put to death only if two or more witnesses testify against them; they are not to be put to death if there is only one witness.
Literal Translation
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.
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.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
At the mouth of two or thre witnesses shal he dye, that is worthy of death. At the mouth of one witnes shal he not dye.
At the mouth of two or thre witnesses shal he dye, that is worthy of death. At the mouth of one witnes shal he not dye.
American Standard Version
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.
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.
Bible in Basic English
On the word of two or three witnesses, a man may be given the punishment of death; but he is not to be put to death on the word of one witness.
On the word of two or three witnesses, a man may be given the punishment of death; but he is not to be put to death on the word of one witness.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
At the mouth of two or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death, dye: and at the mouth of one witnesse, let no man dye.
At the mouth of two or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death, dye: and at the mouth of one witnesse, let no man dye.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
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.
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.
King James Version (1611)
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 witnesse he shall not bee put to death.
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 witnesse he shall not bee put to death.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
He shall die on the testimony of two or three witnesses; a man who is put to death shall not be put to death for one witness.
He shall die on the testimony of two or three witnesses; a man who is put to death shall not be put to death for one witness.
English Revised Version
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.
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.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
He that schal be slayn, schal perische in the mouth of tweyne, ethir of thre witnessis; no man be slayn, for o man seith witnessyng ayens hym.
He that schal be slayn, schal perische in the mouth of tweyne, ethir of thre witnessis; no man be slayn, for o man seith witnessyng ayens hym.
Young's Literal Translation
By the mouth of two witnesses or of three witnesses is he who is dead put to death; he is not put to death by the mouth of one witness;
By the mouth of two witnesses or of three witnesses is he who is dead put to death; he is not put to death by the mouth of one witness;
Update Bible Version
At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, he that is to die shall be put to death; at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.
At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, he that is to die shall be put to death; at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.
Webster's Bible Translation
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.
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.
World English Bible
At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he who is to die be put to death; at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.
At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he who is to die be put to death; at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.
New King James Version
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.
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.
New Living Translation
But never put a person to death on the testimony of only one witness. There must always be two or three witnesses.
But never put a person to death on the testimony of only one witness. There must always be two or three witnesses.
New Life Bible
If two or three people tell what they know against this person, he who is to die must be put to death. But he should not be put to death if only one person speaks against him.
If two or three people tell what they know against this person, he who is to die must be put to death. But he should not be put to death if only one person speaks against him.
New Revised Standard
On the evidence of two or three witnesses the death sentence shall be executed; a person must not be put to death on the evidence of only one witness.
On the evidence of two or three witnesses the death sentence shall be executed; a person must not be put to death on the evidence of only one witness.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
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.
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.
Douay-Rheims Bible
By the mouth of two or three witnesses shall he die that is to be slain. Let no man be put to death, when only one beareth witness against him.
By the mouth of two or three witnesses shall he die that is to be slain. Let no man be put to death, when only one beareth witness against him.
Revised Standard Version
On the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses he that is to die shall be put to death; a person shall not be put to death on the evidence of one witness.
On the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses he that is to die shall be put to death; a person shall not be put to death on the evidence of one witness.
THE MESSAGE
But only on the testimony of two or three witnesses may a person be put to death. No one may be put to death on the testimony of one witness. The witnesses must throw the first stones in the execution, then the rest of the community joins in. You have to purge the evil from your community.
But only on the testimony of two or three witnesses may a person be put to death. No one may be put to death on the testimony of one witness. The witnesses must throw the first stones in the execution, then the rest of the community joins in. You have to purge the evil from your community.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"On the evidence of two witnesses or three witnesses, he who is to die shall be put to death; he shall not be put to death on the evidence of one witness.
"On the evidence of two witnesses or three witnesses, he who is to die shall be put to death; he shall not be put to death on the evidence of one witness.
Contextual Overview
1You shall not sacrifice to the LORD your God an ox or a sheep with any defect or serious flaw, for that is detestable to the LORD your God. 2If a man or woman among you in one of the towns that the LORD your God gives you is found doing evil in the sight of the LORD your God by transgressing His covenant 3and going to worship other gods, bowing down to them or to the sun or moon or any of the host of heaven-which I have forbidden- 4and 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, 5you must bring out to your gates that man or woman who has done this evil thing, and stone that person to death. 6On 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.7The hands of the witnesses shall be the first in putting him to death, and after that, the hands of all the people. You must purge the evil from among you.
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
Deuteronomy 19:15, Numbers 35:30, Matthew 18:16, John 8:17, John 8:18, 2 Corinthians 13:1, 1 Timothy 5:19, Hebrews 10:28
Reciprocal: Genesis 23:11 - in the John 8:7 - He that Romans 6:21 - for the Revelation 11:3 - two
Cross-References
Genesis 17:4
"As for Me, this is My covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations.
"As for Me, this is My covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations.
Genesis 17:6
I will make you exceedingly fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will descend from you.
I will make you exceedingly fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will descend from you.
Genesis 17:16
And I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will descend from her."
And I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will descend from her."
Genesis 17:17
Abraham fell facedown. Then he laughed and said to himself, "Can a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Can Sarah give birth at the age of ninety?"
Abraham fell facedown. Then he laughed and said to himself, "Can a child be born to a man who is a hundred years old? Can Sarah give birth at the age of ninety?"
Genesis 17:20
As for Ishmael, I have heard you, and I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and multiply him greatly. He will become the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation.
As for Ishmael, I have heard you, and I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and multiply him greatly. He will become the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation.
Genesis 35:11
And God told him, "I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply. A nation-even a company of nations-shall come from you, and kings shall descend from you.
And God told him, "I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply. A nation-even a company of nations-shall come from you, and kings shall descend from you.
Ezra 4:20
And mighty kings have ruled over Jerusalem and exercised authority over the whole region west of the Euphrates; and tribute, duty, and toll were paid to them.
And mighty kings have ruled over Jerusalem and exercised authority over the whole region west of the Euphrates; and tribute, duty, and toll were paid to them.
Gill's Notes on the Bible
At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death,.... The idolater found guilty was to be stoned; two witnesses were sufficient to prove a fact, if three the better, but, on the testimony of one, sentence might not be pronounced. Aben Ezra observes, that some say, if two witnesses contradict two other, a third turns the scale and determines the matter; and others say, that two who are wise men will do, and three of others; and because it is said "at the mouth" of these witnesses, it is concluded, that a testimony should be verbal and not written; should not be recorded, neither in pecuniary cases nor in capital ones, but from the mouth of the witnesses, as it is said "at the mouth", c. at their mouth, and not from their handwriting e:
[but] at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death so careful is the Lord of the lives of men, that none should be taken away but upon full and sufficient evidence, even in cases in which his own glory and honour is so much concerned.
e Maimon. Hilchot Eduth, c. 3. sect. 4.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
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.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse Deuteronomy 17:6. Two witnesses — ONE might be deceived, or be prejudiced or malicious; therefore God required two substantial witnesses for the support of the charge.
