Witness

How Nave’s arranged it

• General scriptures concerningLeviticus 5:1Proverbs 18:17
• Qualified by oathExodus 22:11Numbers 5:19Numbers 5:211 Kings 8:311 Kings 8:32
• By laying hands on the accusedLeviticus 24:14
• Two necessary to establish a factNumbers 35:30Deuteronomy 17:6Deuteronomy 19:15Matthew 18:16John 8:172 Corinthians 13:11 Timothy 5:19Hebrews 10:28
• Required to throw the first stone in executing the sentenceDeuteronomy 13:9Deuteronomy 17:5–7Acts 7:58
• To the transfer of landGenesis 21:25–30Genesis 23:11Genesis 23:16–18Ruth 4:1–9Jeremiah 32:9–12Jeremiah 32:25Jeremiah 32:44
• To marriageRuth 4:10Ruth 4:11Isaiah 8:2Isaiah 8:3
• IncorruptiblePsalms 15:4
• Corrupted by moneyMatthew 28:11–15Acts 6:11Acts 6:13
• FIGURATIVE
• Of instruction in righteousnessRevelation 11:3
• See Courts

The passages, in Bible order (35)

The same references, sorted Genesis to Revelation. The first 16 are quoted in full; the rest are one click beneath them, book by book.

1. Genesis 21:25–30

   But when Abraham complained to Abimelech about a well that Abimelech’s servants had seized,

   ›Commentary on Genesis 21:25–302 voices

   “And Abraham reproved Abimelech because of a well--Wells were of great importance to a pastoral chief and on the successful operation of sinking a new one, the owner was solemnly informed in person.

   “Note, If our brother trespass against us, we must, with the meekness of wisdom, tell him his fault, that the matter may be fairly accommodated and an end made of it, Matt. xviii.

   Everything gathered on Genesis 21:25–30→

   Verse page →Original language →

2. Genesis 23:11

   “No, my lord. Listen to me. I give you the field, and I give you the cave that is in it. I give it to you in the presence of my people. Bury your dead.”

   ›Commentary on Genesis 23:111 voice

   “Ephron answered, Nay, my lord, &c.--Here is a great show of generosity, but it was only a show; for while Abraham wanted only the cave, he joins "the field and the cave"; and though he offered them both as free gifts, he, of course, expected some costly presents in return, without which, he would not have been satisfied.

   Everything gathered on Genesis 23:11→

   Verse page →Original language →

3. Genesis 23:16–18

   Abraham agreed to Ephron’s terms and weighed out for him the price he had named in the hearing of the Hittites: four hundred shekels of silver, according to the standard of the merchants.

   ›Commentary on Genesis 23:16–182 voices

   “Abraham weighed . . . the silver--The money, amounting to £50 was paid in presence of the assembled witnesses; and it was weighed. The practice of weighing money, which is often in lumps or rings, each stamped with their weight, is still common in many parts of the East; and every merchant at the gates or the bazaar has his scales at his girdle.

   “Note, Prudence, as well as justice, directs us to be fair, and open, and above-board, in our dealings. Fraudulent contracts hate the light, and choose to be clandestine; but those that design honestly in their bargains care not who are witnesses to them.

   Everything gathered on Genesis 23:16–18→

   Verse page →Original language →

4. Exodus 22:11

   an oath before the LORD shall be made between the parties to determine whether or not the man has taken his neighbor’s property. The owner must accept the oath and require no restitution.

   ›Commentary on Exodus 22:111 voice

   “An oath of the Lord be between them - So solemn and awful were all appeals to God considered in those ancient times, that it was taken for granted that the man was innocent who could by an oath appeal to the omniscient God that he had not put his hand to his neighbor’s goods. Since oaths have become multiplied, and since they have been administered on the most trifling occasions, their solemnity is gone, and their importance little regarded.

   Everything gathered on Exodus 22:11→

   Verse page →Original language →

5. Leviticus 5:1

   “If someone sins by failing to testify when he hears a public charge about something he has witnessed, whether he has seen it or learned of it, he shall bear the iniquity.

   ›Commentary on Leviticus 5:12 voices

   “Special occasions are mentioned on which sin-offerings are to be made with a particular confession of the offence for which atonement is sought Lev 5:5. Lev 5:1 Swearing - Adjuration. The case appears to be that of one who has been put upon his oath as a witness by a magistrate, and fails to utter all he has seen and heard (compare the marginal references. and Pro 29:24; Num 5:21). Lev 5:2-3 Hid from him - Either through forgetfulness or indifference, so that purification had been neglected.

   “And hear - And for that is, as that particle is often used. For this declares in particular what the sin was. Or, namely, that of cursing, or blasphemy, or execration, as the word commonly signifies, and that either against one's neighbour, or against God.

   Everything gathered on Leviticus 5:1→

   Verse page →Original language →

6. Leviticus 24:14

   “Take the blasphemer outside the camp, and have all who heard him lay their hands on his head; then have the whole assembly stone him.

   ›Commentary on Leviticus 24:142 voices

   “Lay their hands upon his head - Whereby they gave public testimony that they heard this person speak such words, and did in their own and all the peoples names, demand justice to be executed upon him, that by this sacrifice God might be appeased, and his judgments turned away from the people, upon whom they would certainly fall if he were unpunished.

   “Lay their hands upon his head - It was by this ceremony that the people who heard him curse bore their public testimony in order to his being fully convicted, for without this his punishment would not have been lawful. By this ceremony also they in effect said to the man, Thy blood be upon thy own head.

   Everything gathered on Leviticus 24:14→

   Verse page →Original language →

7. Numbers 5:19

   And he is to put the woman under oath and say to her, ‘If no other man has slept with you and you have not gone astray and become defiled while under your husband’s authority, may you be immune to this bitter water that brings a curse.

   Verse page →Original language →

8. Numbers 5:21

   and the priest shall have the woman swear under the oath of the curse—‘then may the LORD make you an attested curse among your people by making your thigh shrivel and your belly swell.

   ›Commentary on Numbers 5:212 voices

   “To rot - Hebrew. to fall, that is, to die or waste away. To swell - Suddenly and violently till it burst, which the Jews note was frequent in this case. And it was a clear evidence of the truth of their religion.

   “The Lord make thee a curse and an oath - Let thy name and punishment be remembered and mentioned as an example and terror to all others. Like that mentioned Jer 29:22, Jer 29:23: “The Lord make thee like Zedekiah, and like Ahab, whom the king of Babylon roasted in the fire, because they have committed villany in Israel, and have committed adultery with their neighbors’ wives.” - Ainsworth.

   Everything gathered on Numbers 5:21→

   Verse page →Original language →

9. Numbers 35:30

   If anyone kills a person, the murderer is to be put to death on the testimony of the witnesses. But no one is to be put to death based on the testimony of a lone witness.

   ›Commentary on Numbers 35:301 voice

   “But one witness shall not testify against any - This was a just and necessary provision. One may be mistaken, or so violently prejudiced as to impose even on his own judgment, or so wicked as to endeavor through malice to compass the life of his neighbor: but it is not likely that two or more should be of this kind; and even were they, their separate examination would lead to a discovery of the truth, and to their conviction.

   Everything gathered on Numbers 35:30→

   Verse page →Original language →

10. Deuteronomy 13:9

    Instead, you must surely kill him. Your hand must be the first against him to put him to death, and then the hands of all the people.

    ›Commentary on Deuteronomy 13:92 voices

    “Thou shalt kill him - Not privately, which pretense would have opened the door to innumerable murders, but by procuring his death by the sentence of the magistrate. Thou shalt cast the first stone at him, as the witness was to do.

    “It is manifest that what was done in secret could not be legally proved by a single informer; and hence Jewish writers say that spies were set in some private part of the house, to hear the conversation and watch the conduct of a person suspected of idolatrous tendencies.

    Everything gathered on Deuteronomy 13:9→

    Verse page →Original language →

11. Deuteronomy 17:5–7

    you must bring out to your gates the man or woman who has done this evil thing, and you must stone that person to death.

    Verse page →Original language →

12. Deuteronomy 17:6

    On the testimony of two or three witnesses a man shall be put to death, but he shall not be executed on the testimony of a lone witness.

    ›Commentary on Deuteronomy 17:62 voices

    “Witnesses - Namely, credible and competent witnesses. The Jews rejected the testimonies of children, women, servants, familiar friends or enemies, persons of dissolute lives or evil fame.

    “Two witnesses - One might be deceived, or be prejudiced or malicious; therefore God required two substantial witnesses for the support of the charge.

    Everything gathered on Deuteronomy 17:6→

    Verse page →Original language →

13. Deuteronomy 19:15

    A lone witness is not sufficient to establish any wrongdoing or sin against a man, regardless of what offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.

    ›Commentary on Deuteronomy 19:151 voice

    “[Christ] did then truly rise, and after he had risen, he was seen again by his disciples. And the twelve disciples were witnesses of his resurrection, testifying not with words meant to please but contending for the truth of the resurrection even unto torture and death. Further, "on the word of two or three witnesses every word may be confirmed," according to Scripture. There are twelve witnesses to the resurrection of Christ, and do you still disbelieve in the resurrection?

    Everything gathered on Deuteronomy 19:15→

    Verse page →Original language →

14. Ruth 4:1–9

    Meanwhile, Boaz went to the gate and sat down there. Soon the kinsman-redeemer of whom he had spoken came along, and Boaz said, “Come over here, my friend, and sit down.” So he went over and sat down.

    ›Commentary on Ruth 4:1–92 voices

    “Then went Boaz up to the gate of the city--a roofed building, unenclosed by walls; the place where, in ancient times, and in many Eastern towns still, all business transactions are made, and where, therefore, the kinsman was most likely to be found.

    “The gate is the place of concourse, of business, and of justice in Oriental cities (see Jdg 19:15 note; Gen 34:20; Deu 16:18). Ho, such a one! - Indicating that the name of the kinsman was either unknown or purposely concealed 1Sa 21:2; 2Ki 6:8.

    Everything gathered on Ruth 4:1–9→

    Verse page →Original language →

15. Ruth 4:10

    Moreover, I have acquired Ruth the Moabitess, Mahlon’s widow, as my wife, to raise up the name of the deceased through his inheritance, so that his name will not disappear from among his brothers or from the gate of his home. You are witnesses today.”

    ›Commentary on Ruth 4:102 voices

    “Ruth the Moabitess . . . have I purchased to be my wife--This connection Boaz not only might form, since Ruth had embraced the true religion, but he was under a legal necessity of forming it.

    “Our Lord Jesus is our Goel, our Redeemer, our everlasting Redeemer. He looked, like Boaz, with compassion on the deplorable state of fallen mankind. At a vast expense he redeemed the heavenly inheritance for us, which by sin was mortgaged, and forfeited into the hands of divine justice, and which we should never have been able to redeem.

    Everything gathered on Ruth 4:10→

    Verse page →Original language →

16. Ruth 4:11

    “We are witnesses,” said the elders and all the people at the gate. “May the LORD make the woman entering your home like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the house of Israel. May you be prosperous in Ephrathah and famous in Bethlehem.

    ›Commentary on Ruth 4:112 voices

    “There was no signing of deeds; yet was the transfer made, and complete security given, by the public manner in which the whole matter was carried on and concluded. the Lord make the woman that is come into thine house like Rachel and like Leah--This was the usual bridal benediction.

    “Rachel and Leah - Amiable and fruitful. These two are singled out, because they were of a foreign original, and yet ingrafted into God's people, as Ruth was; and because of that fertility which God vouchsafed unto them above their predecessors, Sarah and Rebecca. Rachel is placed before Leah, because she was his most lawful, and best-beloved wife.

    Everything gathered on Ruth 4:11→

    Verse page →Original language →