Deuteronomy 19:15

15 "One witness is not enough to convict someone of a crime; at least two witnesses are necessary to prove that someone is guilty. 1

Deuteronomy 19:15 Meaning and Commentary

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
Whether capital sins, or pecuniary debts; or whatsoever sins a man may be guilty of whether sins against the first or second table of the law, whether greater or lesser sins, whether in moral or civil things; the Jews except only in the case of a woman suspected of adultery and of beheading the heifer:

at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses,
shall the matter be established;
either for acquittance or condemnation; and the witnesses may not, as Jarchi says, write their testimony in a letter, and send it to the sanhedrim, nor may an interpreter stand between the witnesses and the judges; (See Gill on Deuteronomy 17:6).

Deuteronomy 19:15 In-Context

13 No mercy will be shown to you. Israel must rid itself of murderers, so that all will go well.
14 "Do not move your neighbor's property line, established long ago in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
15 "One witness is not enough to convict someone of a crime; at least two witnesses are necessary to prove that someone is guilty.
16 If any of you try to harm another by false accusations,
17 both of you are to go to the one place of worship and be judged by the priests and judges who are then in office.

Cross References 1

  • 1. 19.15Numbers 35.30;Deuteronomy 17.6;Matthew 18.16;John 8.17;2 Corinthians 13.1;1 Timothy 5.19;Hebrews 10.28.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.