Deuteronomio 17:6

6 Por dicho de dos testigos, ó de tres testigos, morirá el que hubiere de morir; no morirá por el dicho de un solo testigo.

Deuteronomio 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.

Deuteronomio 17:6 In-Context

4 Y te fuere dado aviso, y, después que oyeres y hubieres indagado bien, la cosa parece de verdad cierta, que tal abominación ha sido hecha en Israel;

5 Entonces sacarás al hombre ó mujer que hubiere hecho esta mala cosa, á tus puertas, hombre ó mujer, y los apedrearás con piedras, y así morirán.

6 Por dicho de dos testigos, ó de tres testigos, morirá el que hubiere de morir; no morirá por el dicho de un solo testigo.

7 La mano de los testigos será primero sobre él para matarlo, y después la mano de todo el pueblo: así quitarás el mal de en medio de ti.

8 Cuando alguna cosa te fuere oculta en juicio entre sangre y sangre, entre causa y causa, y entre llaga y llaga, en negocios de litigio en tus ciudades; entonces te levantarás y recurrirás al lugar que Jehová tu Dios escogiere;