What does Deuteronomy 17:6 mean?

"At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death." - Deuteronomy 17:6

"At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death." - Deuteronomy 17:6

Deuteronomy 17:6 from the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible states, "At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death."

This verse is part of the Old Testament, specifically the book of Deuteronomy, which is attributed to Moses. The book of Deuteronomy contains the laws and regulations that were given to the Israelites by God as they prepared to enter and settle in the Promised Land. The verse in question is part of a larger passage that details the procedures for judgment and the administration of justice among the Israelites.

The verse establishes a fundamental principle of justice and fairness in the legal system of ancient Israel. It outlines the requirement for multiple witnesses to establish the guilt of a person accused of a capital offense. This requirement is a safeguard against false accusations and wrongful convictions. The principle of "two or three witnesses" is reiterated in other parts of the Bible, such as in the New Testament in Matthew 18:16 and 2 Corinthians 13:1.

The theme of justice and righteousness is a central focus in the book of Deuteronomy, as it lays out the social and legal framework for the Israelite community. The emphasis on the need for multiple witnesses reflects the importance of due process and the protection of the accused from being falsely accused or wrongly convicted. It also underscores the seriousness of the punishment for capital offenses, as the requirement for multiple witnesses ensures that the accused is found guilty beyond any reasonable doubt.

In a broader sense, this principle of requiring multiple witnesses carries spiritual significance as well. In the biblical context, the testimony of two or three witnesses was considered reliable and trustworthy. This concept is also reflected in the New Testament, where the importance of multiple witnesses is emphasized in the establishment of truth and the confirmation of testimony.

The verse can also be seen as a reflection of God's own nature and character. In the Bible, God is often depicted as a God of justice and righteousness, who requires truth and integrity in human affairs. The principle of multiple witnesses reflects the divine standard of truth and the importance of ensuring that justice is administered fairly and impartially.

In addition to its legal and spiritual significance, the verse also carries symbolic importance. The requirement for multiple witnesses can be seen as a metaphor for the need for corroborating evidence and confirmation in various aspects of life. It underscores the importance of seeking confirmation and validation before making judgments or taking actions based on a single account or perspective.

Overall, Deuteronomy 17:6 from the King James Version of the Bible represents an essential principle of justice and fairness in the legal system of ancient Israel. It emphasizes the need for multiple witnesses to establish the guilt of an accused person and reflects the broader themes of justice, righteousness, and divine truth. The verse carries both practical and symbolic significance, highlighting the importance of due process, as well as the spiritual and moral principles that underlie the administration of justice.

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Deuteronomy 17:6 - "At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death."

Deuteronomy 17:6 - "At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death."

"At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death." - Deuteronomy 17:6

"At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death." - Deuteronomy 17:6

Deuteronomy 6:17 - "Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he hath commanded thee."

Deuteronomy 6:17 - "Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he hath commanded thee."

Deuteronomy 5:17 - "Thou shalt not kill."

Deuteronomy 5:17 - "Thou shalt not kill."

Deuteronomy 14:17 - "And the pelican, and the gier eagle, and the cormorant,"

Deuteronomy 14:17 - "And the pelican, and the gier eagle, and the cormorant,"

Deuteronomy 2:17 - "That the LORD spake unto me, saying,"

Deuteronomy 2:17 - "That the LORD spake unto me, saying,"

Deuteronomy 28:17 - "Cursed shall be thy basket and thy store."

Deuteronomy 28:17 - "Cursed shall be thy basket and thy store."

Deuteronomy 6:6 - "And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:"

Deuteronomy 6:6 - "And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:"

"Thou shalt not kill." - Deuteronomy 5:17

"Thou shalt not kill." - Deuteronomy 5:17

Deuteronomy 23:17 - "¶ There shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel."

Deuteronomy 23:17 - "¶ There shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel."

Deuteronomy 17:13 - "And all the people shall hear, and fear, and do no more presumptuously."

Deuteronomy 17:13 - "And all the people shall hear, and fear, and do no more presumptuously."

Deuteronomy 17:17 - "Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold."

Deuteronomy 17:17 - "Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold."

"Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he hath commanded thee." - Deuteronomy 6:17

"Ye shall diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God, and his testimonies, and his statutes, which he hath commanded thee." - Deuteronomy 6:17

Deuteronomy 34:5-6

Deuteronomy 34:5-6

Deuteronomy 4:17 - "The likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air,"

Deuteronomy 4:17 - "The likeness of any beast that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged fowl that flieth in the air,"

"And the pelican, and the gier eagle, and the cormorant," - Deuteronomy 14:17

"And the pelican, and the gier eagle, and the cormorant," - Deuteronomy 14:17

Deuteronomy 18:17 - "And the LORD said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken."

Deuteronomy 18:17 - "And the LORD said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken."

Deuteronomy 27:17 - "Cursed be he that removeth his neighbour's landmark. And all the people shall say, Amen."

Deuteronomy 27:17 - "Cursed be he that removeth his neighbour's landmark. And all the people shall say, Amen."

Deuteronomy 24:17 - "¶ Thou shalt not pervert the judgment of the stranger, nor of the fatherless; nor take a widow's raiment to pledge:"

Deuteronomy 24:17 - "¶ Thou shalt not pervert the judgment of the stranger, nor of the fatherless; nor take a widow's raiment to pledge:"

"That the LORD spake unto me, saying," - Deuteronomy 2:17

"That the LORD spake unto me, saying," - Deuteronomy 2:17

Deuteronomy 6:4 - "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:"

Deuteronomy 6:4 - "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD:"

Deuteronomy 8:17 - "And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth."

Deuteronomy 8:17 - "And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth."

Deuteronomy 29:17 - "And ye have seen their abominations, and their idols, wood and stone, silver and gold, which were among them:)"

Deuteronomy 29:17 - "And ye have seen their abominations, and their idols, wood and stone, silver and gold, which were among them:)"

Deuteronomy 33:6 - "¶ Let Reuben live, and not die; and let not his men be few."

Deuteronomy 33:6 - "¶ Let Reuben live, and not die; and let not his men be few."

Matthew 6:17

Matthew 6:17

Genesis 17:6

Genesis 17:6

Exodus 17:6

Exodus 17:6

Proverbs 17:6

Proverbs 17:6

Deuteronomy 25:17 - "¶ Remember what Amalek did unto thee by the way, when ye were come forth out of Egypt;"

Deuteronomy 25:17 - "¶ Remember what Amalek did unto thee by the way, when ye were come forth out of Egypt;"

Exodus 17:6

Exodus 17:6