Witness — Tyndale Open Bible Dictionary

One who tells what he or she has seen or personally experienced, often in a court of law. The term may also refer to the testimony the person has given.

In the judicial procedure outlined in the OT, one witness was not adequate for personal testimony against anyone, but two or three witnesses were required (Dt 17:6; 19:15). This principle was incorporated into Jewish law and is reiterated in the NT (cf. Mt 18:16; 2 Cor 13:1).

Show passage in OET: DEU 17:6

OET-RV DEU 17:6

6 Note that that person can only be executed if there’s at least two witnesses as evidence—no one can be put to death on the testimony of just one witness.

OET-LV DEU 17:6

6 On the_mouth _of two witnesses or three witnesses the_one_about _to _die he _will _be _put _to _death not he _will _be _put _to _death on the_mouth _of a _witness one.

Show passage in OET: DEU 19:15

OET-RV DEU 19:15

15 A single witness must not be used to condemn anyone—a matter must only be considered proven if there’s at least two or three witnesses.

OET-LV DEU 19:15

15 Not a _witness one he _will _stand in_anyone to/from_all/each/any/every iniquity and_to/for_all sin in_all sin which he _will _sin on the_mouth _of two _of witnesses or on the_mouth _of three witnesses a _matter it _will _stand.

Show passage in OET: MAT 18:16

OET-RV MAT 18:16

16 But if they don’t listen to you, take one or two others with you, so that there’ll be two or three witnesses to verify the message.

OET-LV MAT 18:16

16 But if he _may_ not _hear, take one or two more with you in _order _that on the_mouth of _two or three witnesses, every message may _be _established.

Show passage in OET: CO2 13:1

OET-RV CO2 13:1

13 This is the third time that I’ll be coming there to you all. ‘Every account must be confirmed by at least two, preferably three, witnesses.’

OET-LV CO2 13:1

13 Third time this I _am _coming to you _all.
In of _two the_mouth witnesses and three will _be _being _established every message.

Jump to OET DEU 17:6 section.

Jump to OET DEU 19:15 section.

Jump to OET MAT 18:16 section.

Jump to OET CO2 13:1 section.

The truth of testimony is so important that the Bible expressly forbids false witness in the ninth commandment (Ex 20:16; Dt 5:20; cf. Mk 10:19; Lk 18:20). The practical wisdom of Proverbs speaks out frequently against the false witness (e.g., Prv 6:19; 14:5; 25:18). Nevertheless, false witnesses did arise (Pss 27:12; 35:11), and there are notable examples of the bringing of more than one witness in order to bring about the death of an innocent person. The case of Naboth and his vineyard is notorious; here Jezebel, wife of King Ahab, bribed two men to bear false witness against Naboth so that he would be stoned to death and her wicked husband could take the vineyard he coveted so intensely (1 Kgs 21).

Show passage in OET: EXO 20:16

OET-RV EXO 20:16

• 16 You mustn’t lie in court.

OET-LV EXO 20:16

16 Not you _must _testify against_neighbour _of_your transcript _of falsehood.

Show passage in OET: DEU 5:20

OET-RV DEU 5:20

• 20 Don’t tell lies in court about anyone.

OET-LV DEU 5:20

20 And_not you _must _testify against_neighbour _of_your transcript _of worthlessness.

Show passage in OET: MRK 10:19

OET-RV MRK 10:19

19 You know God’s instructions: don’t murder, don’t commit adultery, don’t steal, don’t lie in court, don’t defraud others, and honour your parents.”

OET-LV MRK 10:19

19 You _have _known the commands:
you _may_ not _murder, you _may_ not _commit _adultery, you _may_ not _steal, you _may_ not _give _false _testimony, you _may_ not _defraud:
Be _honouring the father and the mother of _you.

Show passage in OET: LUK 18:20

OET-RV LUK 18:20

20 You know God’s commands: Don’t commit adultery, don’t murder, don’t steal, don’t lie in court, and honour your parents.”

OET-LV LUK 18:20

20 You _have _known the commands:
You _may_ not _commit _adultery, you _may_ not _murder, you _may_ not _steal, you _may_ not _give _false _testimony:
Be _honouring the father and the mother of _you.

Show passage in OET: PRO 6:19

OET-RV PRO 6:19

19 ₆ a dishonest witness that breathes out lies, and
⇔ ₇ a person that stirs up conflict within the family.

OET-LV PRO 6:19

19 A _witness _of falsehood one _who_he _breathes _out lies and_one _who_spreads contentions between brothers.

Show passage in OET: PRO 14:5

OET-RV PRO 14:5

5 A trustworthy witness doesn’t tell lies,
⇔ ^ but a biased witness just breathes out lies.

OET-LV PRO 14:5

5 A _witness _of faithfulness(es) not he _tells _lies and_ a _witness _of falsehood _he _breathes _out lies.

Show passage in OET: PRO 25:18

OET-RV PRO 25:18

18 A man who gives a false testimony against his neighbour,
⇔ is like a club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.

OET-LV PRO 25:18

18 A _war-club and_a _sword and_an _arrow sharpened a _person who_testifies against_neighbour _of_his a _witness _of falsehood.

Show passage in OET: PSA 27:12

OET-RV PSA 27:12

12 Don’t let my enemies do what they want to me,
⇔ because fraudulent cases have been brought against me,
⇔ and those people thrive on violence.

OET-LV PSA 27:12

12 Do _not give_me in_the _desire _of my _foes _of_my if/because they _have _arisen on_me witnesses _of falsehood and_a _witness _of violence.

Show passage in OET: PSA 35:11

OET-RV PSA 35:11

11 Violent accusers come out of the woodwork
⇔ asking me about things that I know nothing about.

OET-LV PSA 35:11

11 They_rise _up witnesses _of violence that_which not I _know they_ask _me.

Jump to OET EXO 20:16 section.

Jump to OET DEU 5:20 section.

Jump to OET MRK 10:19 section.

Jump to OET LUK 18:20 section.

Jump to OET PRO 6:19 section.

Jump to OET PRO 14:5 section.

Jump to OET PRO 25:18 section.

Jump to OET PSA 27:12 section.

Jump to OET PSA 35:11 section.

Witnesses could be tested by the judges. If the testimony of an accuser was found to be false, that person was subjected to the punishment he had sought to have executed on the defendant (Dt 19:16-21). Proverbs also speaks of the punishment of the false witness (Prv 19:5, 9 OET PRO 19:5 · OET PRO 19:9; 21:28).

Show passage in OET: DEU 19:16–21

OET-RV DEU 19:16

16 Suppose that a ‘witness’ brought a false allegation against a man,

OET-RV DEU 19:17

17 then both parties must go and stand in front of Yahweh—in front of the priests and judges on duty at that time.

OET-RV DEU 19:18

18 The judges must investigate the case thoroughly, and if the witness is proved to be lying (and so falsely accusing a fellow citizen),

OET-RV DEU 19:19

19 you must give the false witness the punishment that was planned for the person falsely accused, and that’s how you can remove the evil from among your nation.

OET-RV DEU 19:20

20 Then the rest of the people will hear about that and be afraid to do that kind of evil thing in your country.

OET-RV DEU 19:21

21 Don’t pity violent people: it’s a life for a life, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a hand for a hand, and a foot for a foot.

OET-LV DEU 19:16

16 If/because a _witness _of injustice he _will _stand in_anyone to_testify in/on/over_him/it rebellion.

OET-LV DEU 19:17

17 And_ the _two _of the_people whom to/for_them the_dispute _they _will _stand to_(the)_face _of/in _front _of/before YHWH to_(the)_face _of/in _front _of/before the_priests and_the_judges who they _will _be in _the_days the_those.

OET-LV DEU 19:18

18 And_ the_judges _they _will _investigate thoroughly _(do _well) and_BEHOLD/LO/SEE is_a _witness _of falsehood the_witness falsehood he _has _testified against_countryman _of_his.

OET-LV DEU 19:19

19 And_you(pl)_will _do to_him/it just_as he _planned for_doing to_countryman _of_his and_you _will _remove the_evil from_midst _of_your.

OET-LV DEU 19:20

20 And_the_remainder they _will _hear and_they _will _fear and_not they _will _repeat for_doing again like_thing (the)_evil the_this in_midst _of_your.

OET-LV DEU 19:21

21 And_not eye _of_your it _will _look _with _pity life for_life eye for_eye tooth for_tooth hand for_hand foot for_foot.

Show passage in OET: PRO 19:5; PRO 19:9

OET-RV PRO 19:5

5 A false witness won’t go unpunished,
⇔ ≈ and the one who tells lies, won’t escape the consequences.

OET-RV PRO 19:9

9 A lying witness won’t go unpunished,
⇔ ≈ and the one who tells lies will die.

OET-LV PRO 19:5

5 A _witness _of lies not he _will _go _unpunished and_he _breathes _out lies not he _will _escape.

OET-LV PRO 19:9

9 A _witness _of lies not he _will _go _unpunished and_he _breathes _out lies he _will _perish.

Show passage in OET: PRO 21:28

OET-RV PRO 21:28

28 A lying witness will die,
⇔ ^ but a good listener will speak out success.

OET-LV PRO 21:28

28 A _witness _of lies he _will _perish and_a _person who_listens to_perpetuity he _will _speak.

Jump to OET DEU 19:16–21 section.

Jump to OET PRO 19:5 section. · OET PRO 19:9 section.

Jump to OET PRO 21:28 section.

The OT records several accounts of legal proceedings in which witnesses are mentioned. Most of these involve the purchase or transfer of property. Ruth 4:7-12 relates the redemption of a field from Naomi by Boaz. Isaiah found “reliable witnesses” concerning a property title written on a large tablet (Is 8:1-2). To confirm the prophecy of the return of the exiles from Babylon, Jeremiah bought and paid for a field in the presence of witnesses, who also signed the deed for the property (Jer 32:6-15).

Show passage in OET: RUT 4:7–12

OET-RV RUT 4:7

7 (At that time in Yisrael (Israel), people had a different way of buying land or exchanging goods between them. In order to make these matters legally binding, one man would take off one of his sandals and give it to the other party. That was the way people in Yisrael confirmed what they had agreed to do.)

OET-RV RUT 4:8

8 “You buy it yourself,” the relative said and he took off one of his sandals and gave it to Boaz.

OET-RV RUT 4:9

9 Then Boaz said to the respected men and to all the other people who were there, “Today you have all witnessed that I’ve bought from No’omi all the property that belonged to Elimelek, Kilyon, and Mahlon.

OET-RV RUT 4:10

10 I am also taking Ruth, Mahlon’s widow from Moav, to be my wife so that she can have a son. Everyone will consider that son to be Elimelek’s descendant and he will inherit the property and carry on Elimelek’s family name among his relatives and here in his hometown. You’ve seen and heard that today and can tell anyone who asks about it.”

OET-RV RUT 4:11

11 All the respected men, and the others who were sitting at the town gate, agreed, and they said, “Yes, we are your. We pray that Yahweh will allow this woman who will be coming into your home, to be like Rahel (Rachel) and Le’ah, the two who gave birth to our ancestors and started our people, Yisrael. May you become great in the clan of Efratah and famous here in Beyt-Lehem (Bethlehem)!

OET-RV RUT 4:12

12 We pray that your family will be like the family of your ancestor Perets, son of Yehudah (Judah) and Tamar, because of the many descendants that Yahweh will give to you and this young woman.”

OET-LV RUT 4:7

7 And_this formerly_former _times was_in_Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) on the_redemption and_on the_exchanging to_confirm every _of matter anyone he _drew _off sandal _of_his and_he/it _gave to_neighbour _of_his and_this was_the_attestation in_Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel).

OET-LV RUT 4:8

8 And_ the_kinsman-redeemer _he/it _said to_Boˊaz acquire_it to/for_you(fs) and_he _drew _off sandal _of_his.

OET-LV RUT 4:9

9 And_ Boˊaz _he/it _said to_elders and_all the_people are_witnesses you(pl) the_day if/because _that I _acquire DOM all _of that belonged_to_ʼElīmelek and_DOM all _of that belonged_to_Kilion and_Maḩlōn from_the _hand _of Noˊₒmī.

OET-LV RUT 4:10

10 And_also DOM Rūt the _Mōʼāⱱite_woman the _wife _of Maḩlōn I _acquire to_me to/for_(a)_woman to_raise _up the _name _of the _dead_man over inheritance _of_his and_not the _name _of the _dead_man it _will _be _cut _off from_with brothers _of_his and_from_the _gate _of his _place _of_his are_witnesses you(pl) the_day.

OET-LV RUT 4:11

11 And_ all _of the_people which was_at_gate and_the_elders _they _said we _are_witnesses YHWH may _he _make DOM the_woman who_is_about _to _come into house _of_your like_Rāḩēl and_like_Lēʼāh who the _two _of_of _them they _built DOM the _house _of Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) and_make wealth in_ʼEfrātāh and_proclaim a _name in_house _of leḩem.

OET-LV RUT 4:12

12 And_let _it _be household _of_your like_the _household _of Pereʦ whom Tāmār she _bore to_Yəhūdāh/(Judah) from the_offspring which YHWH he _will _give to/for_yourself(m) from the _young_woman (the)_this.

Show passage in OET: ISA 8:1–2

OET-RV ISA 8:1

8 Then Yahweh told me, “Get yourself a large, stone tablet and inscribe the name ‘Maher -Shalal -Hash-Baz’ (which means ‘Quickly plunder and grab the loot’) on it,

OET-RV ISA 8:2

2 and I’ll get my reliable witnesses to attest for me: the priest Uriyah, and Yeverekyah’s son Zekaryah (Zechariah).

OET-LV ISA 8:1

8 And_ YHWH _he/it _said to_me take to/for_yourself(m) a _tablet large and_write on/upon/above_him/it with_a _stylus _of a _person (to)_Mahēr- shālāl- ḩāsh Mahēr-.

OET-LV ISA 8:2

2 And_I _will _call _as _witness to/for_me witnesses reliable DOM ʼŪriy^yāh the_priest/officer and_DOM Zəkar^yāh the _son _of Yəⱱerek^yāhū/(Jeberekiah).

Show passage in OET: JER 32:6–15

OET-RV JER 32:6

6 Then Yirmiyah said: Yahweh gave me a message, saying:

OET-RV JER 32:7

7 Listen, your cousin Hanamel (your uncle Shalum’s son) is coming to see you and will ask you to buy his field in Anatot, because you have the right to buy it.

OET-RV JER 32:8

8 Then just as Yahweh had said, my cousin Hanamel came to me in the guards’ courtyard and he asked me, “Buy my field that is in Anatot in the Benyamin region, because you have the right to inherit it so the right to buy it belongs to you. Buy it for yourself.” Then I knew that this was Yahweh’s message.

OET-RV JER 32:9

9 So I bought the field in Anatot from my cousin Hanamel, and I weighed out seventeen shekels of silver for him.

OET-RV JER 32:10

10 Then I wrote in a scroll and sealed it, and had witnesses witness it and the weight of the silver on the scales.

OET-RV JER 32:11

11 Next I took that sealed purchase deed with the price and conditions, as well as an unsealed copy.

OET-RV JER 32:12

12 I gave the sealed purchase document to Baruk (son of Neriyah, son of Mahseyah) in front of my cousin Hanamel and the witnesses who’d signed the purchase agreement, as well as all the Yehudim (Jews) who were sitting in the guards’ courtyard.

OET-RV JER 32:13

13 Then still in front of them, I instructed Baruk,

OET-RV JER 32:14

14 Yisrael’s (Israel’s) god, Commander-in-chief Yahweh says this: Take these documents, both this receipt of purchase that’s sealed and the unsealed copies, and put them into a clay jar so they’ll last for a long time,

OET-RV JER 32:15

15 because Yisrael’s god, Commander-in-chief Yahweh says this: Houses, fields, and vineyards will again be bought in this land.

OET-LV JER 32:6

6 And_ Yirmə^yāh/(Jeremiah) _he/it _said the _message _of YHWH it _came to_me to_say.

OET-LV JER 32:7

7 HERE Ḩₐnam^ʼēl the _son _of Shallūm uncle _of_your is_about _to _come to_you to_say buy to/for_yourself(m) DOM field _of_my which is_at_ˊAnātōt if/because to/for_yourself(m) the _right _of (the)_redemption to_buy_it.

OET-LV JER 32:8

8 And_he _came to_me Ḩₐnam^ʼēl the _son _of my _uncle _of_my according_to _the _message _of YHWH to the _courtyard _of the _guard and_he/it _said to_me buy please DOM field _of_my which is_at_ˊAnātōt which in_land of _Binyāmīn if/because to/for_yourself(m) the _right _of (the)_possession and_belongs_to_you the _right_redemption buy_it to/for_you(fs) and_I _knew if/because _that was_the _message _of YHWH it.

OET-LV JER 32:9

9 And_I _bought DOM the_field from_with Ḩₐnam^ʼēl the _son _of my _uncle _of_my which was_at_ˊAnātōt and_I_weighed _out for_him/it DOM the_silver was_seven shekels and_ten the_silver.

OET-LV JER 32:10

10 And_I _wrote on_document and_I _sealed_it and_I _caused _to _witness_it witnesses and_I _weighed _out the_silver on_balances.

OET-LV JER 32:11

11 And_I _took DOM the _document _of the _purchase DOM the_one_which _was_sealed the_order and_the_conditions and_DOM the_one_which _was_uncovered.

OET-LV JER 32:12

12 And_I _gave DOM the_document the_purchase to Bārūk the _son _of Nēriy^yāh the _son _of Maḩşē^yāh to_the _eyes _of Ḩₐnam^ʼēl uncle _of_my and_to_the _eyes _of the _witnesses who_wrote on_the _document _of the _purchase to_the _eyes _of all _of the_Yəhūdī/(Judeans) who_were_sitting in_the _courtyard _of the _guard.

OET-LV JER 32:13

13 And_I _commanded DOM Bārūk to_eyes _of_their to_say.

OET-LV JER 32:14

14 Thus YHWH soldiers/messengers the _god _of Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) he _says take DOM the_documents the_these DOM the _document _of the _purchase the_this and_DOM the_one_which _was_sealed and_DOM the_document _of (the)_uncovered the_this and_you_will _put _them in_a _vessel _of earthenware so _that they _may _remain days many.

OET-LV JER 32:15

15 If/because thus YHWH soldiers/messengers the _god _of Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel) he _says again houses and_fields and_vineyards they _will _be _bought on _the_earth (the)_this.

Jump to OET RUT 4:7–12 section.

Jump to OET ISA 8:1–2 section.

Jump to OET JER 32:6–15 section.

At the conclusion of his farewell message at Shechem, Joshua declared that the Israelites themselves were witnesses that they had chosen to serve the Lord; then he set up a large stone and declared that it also was a witness (Jos 24:22-27). The people of Israel themselves were declared God’s witnesses (Is 43:10; 44:8-9). They were witnesses to the existence of God, to his uniqueness, holiness, power, and love. When they failed to acknowledge his uniqueness and holiness and turned to idolatry, he sent them into captivity, as he had warned, for they had failed in their witness and had given opportunity for the enemies of God to blaspheme.

Show passage in OET: JOS 24:22–27

OET-RV JOS 24:22

22 Then Yehoshua cautioned the people, “You all are witnesses against yourselves, that you yourselves have chosen to serve Yahweh.”
¶ “We are witnesses,” they confirmed.

OET-RV JOS 24:23

23 “Then you all go right now and remove the foreign gods that you already have, and turn your hearts towards Yahweh, the god of Yisrael (Israel),” said Yehoshua.

OET-RV JOS 24:24

24 “We will serve our god Yahweh, and we will listen to his voice,” the people replied.

OET-RV JOS 24:25

25 So Yehoshua made a formal agreement with the people in Shekem on that day, establishing rules and laws for them.

OET-RV JOS 24:26

26 He wrote them in the book of God’s law. Then he took a large stone and set it up there beneath the oak tree that was by Yahweh’s sacred tent.

OET-RV JOS 24:27

27 “Look at this stone,” Yehoshua said to all the people. “It will be for a witness against us, because it has heard everything that Yahweh has instructed us, and it will be for a witness against you all, in case you act deceptively against your god.”

OET-LV JOS 24:22

22 And_ Yəhōshūˊa _he/it _said to the_people are_witnesses you(pl) on_yourselves if/because _that you(pl) you(pl)_have _chosen to/for_you(pl) DOM YHWH to_serve him and_they _said witnesses.

OET-LV JOS 24:23

23 And_now remove DOM the _gods _of (the)_foreignness which are_in_midst _of_your(pl) and_bend _down DOM heart _of_your(pl) to YHWH the _god _of Yisrā^ʼēl/(Israel).

OET-LV JOS 24:24

24 And_ the_people _they _said to Yəhōshūˊa DOM YHWH god _of_our we _will _serve and_to_voice _of_his we _will _listen.

OET-LV JOS 24:25

25 And_ Yəhōshūˊa _he _made a _covenant to_people in _the_day (the)_that and_he/it _assigned to_him/it a _decree and_a _judgement at_Shəkem.

OET-LV JOS 24:26

26 And_ Yəhōshūˊa/(Joshua) _he _wrote DOM the_words/messages the_these in_the _book _of the _law _of god and_he/it _took a _stone large and_he_set _it _up there under the_oak which was_at_the _sanctuary _of YHWH.

OET-LV JOS 24:27

27 And_ Yəhōshūˊa _he/it _said to all _of the_people HERE the_stone (the)_this it _will _become on_us (into)_a_witness if/because it it _has _heard DOM all _of the _words/messages _of YHWH which he _has _spoken with_us and_it _will _become on_you(pl) (into)_a_witness lest you(pl)_should _deny (in)_god _of_your(pl).

Show passage in OET: ISA 43:10

OET-RV ISA 43:10

⇔  10 But Yahweh declares that you all are my witnesses
⇔ ≈ and my servant who I’ve chosen
⇔ so that you all can know and believe me
⇔ ≈ and understand that I am God.
⇔ There’s no other god that was formed before me,
⇔ ^ and none will be format after me.

OET-LV ISA 43:10

10 You(pl) witnesses _of_are_my the _utterance _of YHWH and_servant _of_my whom I _have _chosen so _that you(pl)_may _know and_you(pl)_may _believe to_me and_you(pl)_may _perceive if/because _that I am_he to/for_my_face/front not a _god it _was _formed and_after_me not it _will _be.

Show passage in OET: ISA 44:8–9

OET-RV ISA 44:8

8 Don’t dread the future
⇔ ≈ and don’t be afraid.
⇔ Didn’t I already declare it to you
⇔ ≈ and announce what would happen, and you all are my witnesses?
⇔ Is there some other god than me?
⇔ There’s no other ‘rock’ that I know of.

OET-RV ISA 44:9

9 All those who form idols are losers
⇔ ≈ and their expectations won’t be realised.
⇔ Their witnesses can’t see and they don’t know anything,
⇔ so they’ll be ashamed.

OET-LV ISA 44:8

8 Do _not be _in _dread and_do _not fear not from_then did_I _proclaim _to _you and_did _I _declare and_you(pl) witnesses _of_are_my is_there a _god (from)_except_me and_there_is_not a _rock not I _know.

OET-LV ISA 44:9

9 Those _who_form _of (of)_an _idol of _them _of_all are_nothingness and_their _desired _of_things not they _confer _profit and_witnesses _of_their they not they _see and_not they _know so _that they _may _be _ashamed.

Jump to OET JOS 24:22–27 section.

Jump to OET ISA 43:10 section.

Jump to OET ISA 44:8–9 section.

In the NT the various words for witness are mainly related to the verb martureo, meaning “to bear witness, be a witness.” The word “martyr” shows the ultimate form of witness in that Christians have sacrificed their lives because of their witness for Jesus Christ.

John the Baptist was both a witness and a martyr. As the forerunner of the Messiah, his mission was to bear witness to the light and to identify the Lamb of God (Jn 1:7-8, 19-36 OET JHN 1:7–8 · OET JHN 1:19–36). The followers of Jesus, and particularly the 12 apostles, were witnesses to the person and character of Jesus. They knew him intimately, heard his teachings and observed his miracles; three were witnesses of his transfiguration (Mt 17:1-2; 2 Pt 1:17-18) and many were witnesses to his resurrection (Lk 24:48; 1 Cor 15:4-8). At the time of his ascension, the disciples were specifically commissioned to be his witnesses (Acts 1:8).