Numbers 35:30

30 Anyone causing the death of another is himself to be put to death on the word of witnesses: but the word of one witness is not enough.

Numbers 35:30 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 35:30

Whoso killeth any person
Willingly, and through enmity and malice:

the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of two witnesses;
which is repeated partly to show, that this law concerning the cities of refuge was not designed to screen a murderer, who was guilty through malice prepense; and partly for the sake of what is added to it, that two witnesses are required in such a case, where a man's life is at stake, to prove the fact against him; which shows how careful the Lord is, and men should be, of the lives of his creatures, that no man suffer wrongfully; which is repeated again and again, that it might be observed, see ( Deuteronomy 17:6 ) ( 19:15 ) but one witness shall not testify against any person, to cause him to die; which looks as if in other cases, in pecuniary matters, and the like, where life is not concerned, one witness may be sufficient; though it is always best and safest to have more if they can be had, that at the mouth of two or three witnesses everything may be established, ( Deuteronomy 19:15 ) ( Matthew 18:16 ) .

Numbers 35:30 In-Context

28 Because he had been ordered to keep inside the safe town till the death of the high priest: but after the death of the high priest the taker of life may come back to the place of his heritage.

29 These rules are to be your guide in judging through all your generations wherever you may be living.

30 Anyone causing the death of another is himself to be put to death on the word of witnesses: but the word of one witness is not enough.

31 Further, no price may be given for the life of one who has taken life and whose right reward is death: he is certainly to be put to death.

32 And no price may be offered for one who has gone in flight to a safe town, for the purpose of letting him come back to his place before the death of the high priest.