Numbers 35:30

30 " 'If anyone kills a person, the killer will be put to death {according to the testimony} of witnesses, but someone cannot die on testimony of one person.

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 must live in the city of his refuge until the death of the high priest. But after the death of the high priest the killer will return to the land of his property.

29 These things will be as a decree of justice for you for your generations in all your dwellings.

30 " 'If anyone kills a person, the killer will be put to death {according to the testimony} of witnesses, but someone cannot die on testimony of one person.

31 Also, you will not take a ransom payment for the life of a killer who [is] guilty of death; indeed, he must surely be put to death.

32 You will not take a ransom payment for the one that flees to the city of his refuge, so that he may return to live in the land before the death of the priest.

Footnotes

• [a]. Literally "according to the mouth"