Deuteronomy 17:6

6 The witness of two or three people is required to put someone to death. No one can be put to death because of what only one witness says. It needs the witness of two or three people.

Deuteronomy 17:6 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 17:6

At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he
that is worthy of death be put to death
The idolater found guilty was to be stoned; two witnesses were sufficient to prove a fact, if three the better, but, on the testimony of one, sentence might not be pronounced. Aben Ezra observes, that some say, if two witnesses contradict two other, a third turns the scale and determines the matter; and others say, that two who are wise men will do, and three of others; and because it is said "at the mouth" of these witnesses, it is concluded, that a testimony should be verbal and not written; should not be recorded, neither in pecuniary cases nor in capital ones, but from the mouth of the witnesses, as it is said "at the mouth" at their mouth, and not from their handwriting ^F5:

[but] at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death;
so careful is the Lord of the lives of men, that none should be taken away but upon full and sufficient evidence, even in cases in which his own glory and honour is so much concerned.

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FOOTNOTES:

F5 Maimon. Hilchot Eduth, c. 3. sect. 4.

Deuteronomy 17:6 In-Context

4 When you hear that people have done something like that, check the matter out carefully. If it's true, an evil thing has been done in Israel. It's something the LORD hates.

5 So take the person who has done that evil thing to your city gate. Put that person to death with stones.

6 The witness of two or three people is required to put someone to death. No one can be put to death because of what only one witness says. It needs the witness of two or three people.

7 The witnesses must throw the first stones. Then the rest of the people must also throw stones. Get rid of that evil person.

8 People will bring their cases to your courts. But some cases will be too hard for you to judge. They might be about murders, attacks or other crimes. Then take those hard cases to the place the LORD your God will choose.