Deuteronomy 17:6

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

At the mouth {H6310} of two {H8147} witnesses {H5707}, or three {H7969} witnesses {H5707}, shall he that is worthy of death {H4191} be put to death {H4191}; but at the mouth {H6310} of one {H259} witness {H5707} he shall not be put to death {H4191}.

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 17:6 establishes a foundational principle for capital punishment within ancient Israelite law, mandating that a person accused of a capital offense could only be put to death on the corroborated testimony of two or three witnesses, never on the word of a single accuser. This statute served as a crucial safeguard against false accusations, arbitrary convictions, and the misuse of judicial power, underscoring the profound value of human life and God's demand for justice, truth, and due process in all legal proceedings.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 17 is part of a larger section (chapters 12-26) that elaborates on the specific laws and statutes governing Israel's life in the Promised Land, following the general principles laid out in the Decalogue. Within chapter 17 itself, this verse immediately follows instructions regarding the eradication of idolatry and the proper judicial process for dealing with those who violate the covenant through worship of other gods (Deuteronomy 17:2-5). The severity of the punishment for idolatry (death by stoning) necessitates the strict legal safeguard provided in verse 6, ensuring that such a grave sentence is never carried out lightly or unjustly. The chapter then proceeds to outline the establishment of a supreme court and the qualifications for a king, all within the framework of a divinely ordained legal system that prioritizes justice and order.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Israelite law, as presented in Deuteronomy, stands in stark contrast to many contemporary Near Eastern legal codes, which often lacked such robust protections for the accused. In societies where oral testimony was paramount, the potential for malicious or mistaken single accusations was high. The requirement for multiple witnesses was therefore a revolutionary safeguard, reflecting God's unique ethical standard for His people. It protected the innocent in a cultural milieu where reputation and community standing were immensely significant, and where legal proceedings often involved public accusation and judgment. This principle also acknowledged the fallibility of human testimony and the need for corroboration to establish truth in a pre-scientific, pre-forensic era.
* **Key Themes:** Deuteronomy 17:6 profoundly contributes to several overarching themes in the book of Deuteronomy and the Pentateuch. It highlights the theme of **divine justice and righteousness**, demonstrating that God's law is not arbitrary but designed to uphold truth and protect the vulnerable. It underscores the **sanctity of human life**, especially in capital cases, by setting a very high bar for the taking of a life, even under legal sanction. The verse also emphasizes **due process and the establishment of truth**, ensuring that judicial decisions are based on verified, corroborated evidence rather than mere suspicion or personal vendetta. This principle is not isolated but reiterated elsewhere, such as in the laws concerning false witnesses in [Deuteronomy 19](/deuteronomy/19 "Deuteronomy 19 - Laws of Justice and Refuge"), and the specific application to murder cases in [Numbers 35:30](/numbers/35-30 "Numbers 35:30 - Two Witnesses for Murder").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Mouth (Hebrew, _pi_):** The Hebrew term "pi" (פה) literally means "mouth," but in this context, the idiom "at the mouth of" (`על־פי`, _‘al-pi_) signifies "by the testimony of" or "on the authority of." It emphasizes that the judicial decision, particularly one leading to capital punishment, must be based on the direct, verbal, and sworn evidence provided by the witnesses. This highlights the critical importance of oral testimony and the weight given to spoken accounts in the ancient Israelite legal system, where written records were less common for everyday judicial proceedings.
* **Witnesses (Hebrew, _‘edim_):** The plural noun "‘edim" (עדים) refers to those who have seen or heard something directly and can provide factual testimony. In the legal context, witnesses were crucial for establishing guilt or innocence. The requirement for multiple "‘edim" underscores the principle of corroboration, aiming to ensure the reliability and veracity of the evidence presented, thereby safeguarding against perjury and mistaken identity.
* **Worthy of death (Hebrew, _mut yumat_):** This phrase, often translated as "worthy of death" or "put to death," is a Hebrew legal idiom (מות יומת, literally "dying he shall die"). It signifies that the prescribed punishment for the offense is capital punishment. The use of this strong, formulaic language emphasizes the gravity of the crimes being discussed and the absolute finality of the judgment, which in turn necessitates the stringent evidentiary requirements of multiple witnesses.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses":** This clause sets the minimum standard for legal corroboration in capital cases. It demands that at least two independent individuals must provide consistent testimony against the accused. The inclusion of "or three witnesses" further strengthens the requirement for certainty, implying that more corroboration is even better, but two is the absolute minimum. This provision directly counters the potential for a single individual's malice, error, or personal vendetta to lead to a wrongful conviction.
* **"shall he that is worthy of death be put to death":** This part specifies the application of the rule: it pertains specifically to cases where the prescribed penalty is death. It underscores the ultimate gravity of the judicial decision and the irreversible nature of capital punishment. The law is not concerned with minor infractions but with offenses so severe that they warrant the forfeiture of life, thus requiring the highest standard of proof.
* **"but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death":** This final, emphatic clause serves as a clear prohibition and a vital safeguard. It explicitly forbids the execution of an individual based solely on the testimony of a single accuser. This negative formulation reinforces the absolute necessity of corroboration, making it impossible for a life-or-death verdict to rest on unsubstantiated or unverified claims, thereby protecting the sanctity of life and preventing judicial murder.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 17:6 employs several effective literary devices to convey its crucial legal principle. **Repetition** is evident in the repeated phrase "at the mouth of," which serves to emphasize the source and nature of the evidence required for a capital conviction—it must be spoken testimony. The structure of the verse itself functions as a **Legal Formula**, presenting a clear, prescriptive rule with an explicit positive requirement ("two or three witnesses") followed by an equally explicit negative prohibition ("not at the mouth of one witness"). This formulaic precision leaves no room for ambiguity in judicial application. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Emphasis** through the stark contrast between the permissible number of witnesses (two or three) and the forbidden (one), highlighting the critical importance of corroboration as a non-negotiable prerequisite for imposing the death penalty.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 17:6 is a powerful testament to God's character as a God of justice, truth, and life. It reveals His meticulous concern for fairness and due process, even within a legal system that includes capital punishment. The principle of requiring multiple witnesses is rooted in the divine nature, which abhors falsehood and values human life. It teaches that justice is not merely about punishing the guilty, but equally about protecting the innocent and ensuring that truth is established beyond reasonable doubt. This standard reflects a profound respect for the individual and a recognition of the immense weight of a life-or-death judgment, underscoring that human authority, even when divinely sanctioned, must operate with utmost caution and integrity.

* [Deuteronomy 19:15](/deuteronomy/19-15 "Deuteronomy 19:15 - Requirement for Multiple Witnesses")
* [Numbers 35:30](/numbers/35-30 "Numbers 35:30 - Two Witnesses for Murder")
* [2 Corinthians 13:1](/2_corinthians/13-1 "2 Corinthians 13:1 - Every Word Established by Two or Three Witnesses")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The enduring wisdom of Deuteronomy 17:6 transcends its ancient legal context, offering profound principles for personal conduct and communal life today. It challenges us to cultivate a deep commitment to truth and verification, urging us to resist the human tendency to believe or spread unverified accusations, especially those that could harm a person's reputation, livelihood, or well-being. In an age of instant information and social media, where rumors and uncorroborated claims can spread rapidly, this verse serves as a vital reminder to exercise discernment, seek multiple credible sources, and avoid hasty judgments. It fosters a culture of caution, fairness, and a high regard for the integrity of every individual, encouraging us to build relationships and communities where justice and truth are paramount, and where the innocent are rigorously protected.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the principle of requiring multiple witnesses challenge our tendency to believe unverified information or gossip about others?**
* **In what areas of your life (e.g., family, workplace, church) might you need to apply the principle of seeking corroboration before making a judgment or taking action?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the value of human life and the seriousness with which we should approach matters of judgment and accusation?**

### FAQ
**Why specifically two or three witnesses, and not just one?**

Answer: The requirement for two or three witnesses, rather than just one, serves as a crucial safeguard against false accusations, perjury, and mistaken identity in capital cases. In ancient Israel, where oral testimony was central to legal proceedings, a single accuser could easily fabricate charges or be genuinely mistaken, leading to an unjust death sentence. By demanding multiple, independent testimonies, the law aimed to establish the truth beyond reasonable doubt, ensuring corroboration and minimizing the risk of judicial error. This principle reflects God's commitment to justice and the sanctity of human life, making it exceptionally difficult to condemn someone to death without overwhelming and verified evidence. This standard is echoed throughout the Old Testament legal code, such as in [Deuteronomy 19:15](/deuteronomy/19-15 "Deuteronomy 19:15 - Requirement for Multiple Witnesses") for any iniquity, and is even applied in the New Testament for matters of church discipline and accusation, as seen in [Matthew 18:16](/matthew/18-16 "Matthew 18:16 - Church Discipline and Witnesses") and [1 Timothy 5:19](/1_timothy/5-19 "1 Timothy 5:19 - Accusations Against Elders").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 17:6, with its stringent requirement for multiple witnesses in capital cases, foreshadows and finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ in profound ways. While a legal statute, it points to the divine standard of truth and justice that culminates in God's perfect plan of salvation. Jesus Himself, though innocent, was condemned based on false testimony and the manipulation of legal processes, highlighting the profound perversion of this very principle at His trial ([Matthew 26:59-60](/matthew/26-59 "Matthew 26:59-60 - False Witnesses Against Jesus")). Yet, in a redemptive paradox, the truth of Christ's identity and mission is established by an abundance of witnesses: the prophetic testimony of the Old Testament ([Luke 24:44](/luke/24-44 "Luke 24:44 - Jesus Explains the Scriptures")), the direct witness of God the Father from heaven ([Matthew 3:17](/matthew/3-17 "Matthew 3:17 - God's Voice at Jesus' Baptism")), the testimony of John the Baptist ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), Jesus' own consistent witness to the truth ([John 18:37](/john/18-37 "John 18:37 - Jesus' Testimony to Truth")), and finally, the irrefutable witness of His resurrection, attested to by hundreds of eyewitnesses ([1 Corinthians 15:3-8](/1_corinthians/15-3 "1 Corinthians 15:3-8 - The Resurrection of Christ")). The principle of multiple witnesses, therefore, underscores the reliability of the gospel message, ensuring that our faith in Christ is not based on a single, uncorroborated claim, but on a vast, divinely orchestrated symphony of testimonies, culminating in the Holy Spirit's ongoing witness within believers ([Romans 8:16](/romans/8-16 "Romans 8:16 - The Spirit Testifies with Our Spirit")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Numbers 35:30

Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person [to cause him] to die.

1 Timothy 5:19

Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.

Hebrews 10:28

He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:

Matthew 18:16

But if he will not hear [thee, then] take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

Deuteronomy 19:15

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.

John 8:17

It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.

John 8:18

I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me.