Bible Dictionary
Witness
A witness is a person or object that testifies to a fact, agreement, or accusation. Biblical law generally required two or more witnesses in serious cases, condemned false testimony, and required truthful testimony when one possessed relevant knowledge.
Biblical Usage
The Mosaic Law required at least two witnesses for an accusation, especially in criminal cases. Witnesses could participate first in executing a sentence, false witnesses were punishable, and refusing to testify when possessing relevant knowledge was an offense. The term could also describe inanimate covenant memorials.
Scripture References
Deuteronomy 17:6
Deuteronomy 19:15
Deuteronomy 13:9
Deuteronomy 17:7
1 Kings 21:13
Matthew 27:1
Acts 7:57
Acts 7:58
Deuteronomy 19:16-21
Leviticus 5:1
Genesis 21:30
Genesis 31:47
Genesis 31:52
Joshua 22:10
Joshua 22:26
Joshua 22:34
Joshua 24:26
Joshua 24:27
Isaiah 8:16
Jeremiah 32:10-16
Numbers 35:30
Numbers 17:6
John 8:17
2 Corinthians 13:1
1 Timothy 5:19
Numbers 5:13
Exodus 20:16
Exodus 23:1
Leviticus 18:16
Leviticus 18:18
Exodus 22:13