The requirement for two or three witnesses in certain legal matters is established in several places in the Old Testament, most notably Deuteronomy 17:6 and 19:15. Understanding the context and purpose behind this command can shed light on the biblical principle of establishing facts on the testimony of multiple witnesses.
The Law’s Concern for Justice
In Deuteronomy, Moses is reviewing the law that God had given to Israel. A major theme throughout Deuteronomy is the importance of justice and avoiding false condemnation. For example, earlier in Deuteronomy Moses cautions against listening to an unfounded report against someone (13:14). The law requires diligent inquiry to confirm accusations before punishment (17:4). Even for serious crimes like murder, the testimony of two or three witnesses was required before putting someone to death (17:6).
This concern for careful judgment is rooted in God’s own character. Deuteronomy 32:4 declares that “all his ways are justice.” God did not want His people condemning others without proper evidence. The testimony of two or three witnesses provided greater certainty that charges were valid. This requirement offered protection against false allegations or hasty judgments based on circumstantial evidence alone.
A Matter Established by Two or Three Witnesses
The key Old Testament passages establish the following:
- Deuteronomy 17:6 – “On the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses the one who is to die shall be put to death; a person shall not be put to death on the evidence of one witness.”
- Deuteronomy 19:15 – “A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed. Only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge be established.”
From these verses, we see that God required multiple witnesses to establish a matter involving judgment and potential punishment. While one person’s testimony could raise suspicion or concern, God did not consider that sufficient to establish guilt and enact permanent consequences. The agreement of two or three witnesses carried more weight and authority in legal proceedings.
Reasons for Requiring Multiple Witnesses
There are several reasons why God may have instituted the multi-witness requirement:
- Prevent False Condemnation – With only one witness, there is a greater chance of putting an innocent person to death. Additional witnesses reduced this risk.
- Establish Facts – The accounts of two or three people carry more credibility and weight. Their combined testimony provides additional verification of events.
- Curtail Revenge – Requiring multiple witnesses made it more difficult to fabricate charges out of personal grudges and vendettas.
- Due Process – This requirement ensured proper and careful judgment rather than hasty condemnation.
A consistent principle
This principle of multiple witnesses appears in several other Old Testament passages dealing with legal matters:
- Numbers 35:30 – Establishing guilt for murder.
- Deuteronomy 19:16-18 – Charges of misconduct against an elder require multiple witnesses.
- 1 Kings 21:10,13 – Charges against Naboth required multiple witnesses.
- Matthew 18:16 – Jesus references the Deuteronomy principle in dealing with conflict resolution within the church.
While two or three witnesses was not required in every legal matter, it was clearly a common requirement in cases involving capital punishment or other serious consequences. This principle ensured decisions were not made on the testimony of only one person, which could be motivated by false testimony, personal bias, or misunderstanding of the facts.
Protection Against Abuse
In addition to promoting justice, this command offered protection against abuse of the legal system. Natural human tendencies like jealousy, greed, and vengeance could provoke people to bring illegitimate charges against others. Requiring multiple witnesses made it much more difficult to manipulate the legal system for personal gain or grudges.
This offered security against plots by malicious groups or individuals. Even leaders like kings and judges did not have unilateral power to condemn. Two or three witnesses were needed to counterbalance human pride and fallibility.
Striving for Truth
At its foundation, this command reflects a desire to have decisions based on truth, not speculation. While arriving at absolute truth is difficult, requiring multiple witnesses gave testimony greater reliability in establishing facts and guilt or innocence. God understands the limits and frailty of human judgment, so He provided this stipulation as a safeguard.
In a fallen world, motives are often mixed and circumstances unclear. Even two or three witnesses cannot guarantee perfect truth, but it sets a higher bar for drawing conclusions than relying on lone accusers or circumstantial evidence. This principle challenges us to exercise care and humility when assessing others rather than quickly jumping to conclusions.
Continuing Relevance
This Old Testament command had specific application under theocratic Israel, but the principle behind it is still relevant today. Jesus highlighted its ongoing importance in Matthew 18:16. And in today’s legal systems, corroborating testimony and witnesses are still key to reaching just verdicts.
Beyond courtrooms, the principle still applies in other areas of life. We should be cautious in accepting reports or accusations against someone without additional confirming witnesses. This protects both us and others from passing on unfounded hearsay that can destroy reputations and relationships.
When an issue involves serious consequences or evaluation of someone’s character, it is wise to have more than one perspective before reaching firm conclusions. This principle challenges us to humbly acknowledge the limitations of our own perceptions and seek fuller truth by hearing multiple witnesses.
Our human tendency is to trust our own instincts and view of reality. But Proverbs 18:17 reminds us that the first to present his case seems right until another comes to examine him. God knows our propensity to judge hastily based on limited information. Requiring multiple witnesses was a wall of protection against this tendency and a means of establishing more credible truth. While we may not face literal legal judgments as the Israelites did, imbibing this principle can promote greater wisdom, justice and integrity in all areas of life.