Numbers 35:30

30 "'If anyone kills a person, the murderer may be put to death only if there are witnesses. No one may be put to death with only one witness.

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 The killer must stay in the city of safety until the high priest dies. After the high priest dies, the killer may go home.

29 "'These laws are for you from now on, wherever you live.

30 "'If anyone kills a person, the murderer may be put to death only if there are witnesses. No one may be put to death with only one witness.

31 "'Don't take money to spare the life of a murderer who should be put to death. A murderer must be put to death.

32 "'If someone has run to a city of safety, don't take money to let the person go back home before the high priest dies.