Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die.
NUMBERS 35:30KJVWhat does Numbers 35:30 mean?
Numbers 35:30 says that if someone kills another person, that person can only be put to death as a murderer if there are multiple witnesses; the testimony of just one witness is not enough to sentence someone to death. This rule sets a high standard for evidence in cases involving the death penalty.
In this part of Numbers, God is giving laws to the Israelites through Moses about how to handle cases of murder. The verse is part of a larger section about cities of refuge and justice for bloodshed. The requirement for more than one witness helps prevent wrongful executions and shows a concern for fairness and careful judgment in serious cases.
The Hebrew behind Numbers 35:30
- "mouth" (פֶּה, peh): This word means "mouth" and here refers to the spoken testimony of witnesses. The phrase "by the mouth of witnesses" stresses that the decision must be based on clear, spoken evidence, not rumors or assumptions.
- "witnesses" (עֵדִים, edim): This is the plural form of "witness," making it clear that more than one person must testify. The law does not allow a single person's word to be enough for a death sentence.
- "testify" (עָנָה, anah): This word means "to answer" or "to testify." It highlights the formal act of giving evidence in a legal setting, not just casual talk or accusation.
Why Numbers 35:30 matters
- Numbers 35:30 makes it clear that the death penalty could not be carried out on the basis of a single person's accusation, protecting against false charges and hasty judgments.
- This verse shows that justice in ancient Israel was meant to be careful and thorough, especially in life-and-death matters.
- The rule connects to the broader biblical principle that major accusations require more than one witness, which appears in other parts of the Bible and shapes later legal traditions.