Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Numbers 35:30
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.
30. one witness shall not testify &c.] This re-enforces the law of Deu 17:6. In Deu 19:15 three, or at least two, witnesses are required to substantiate any charge (cf. Mat 18:16).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
By the mouth of witnesses – i. e. two witnesses, at the least (compare the marginal references). The provisions of this and the following verses protect the enactments of this chapter from abuse. The cities of refuge were not intended to exempt a criminal from deserved punishment.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 30. 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 endeavour through malice to compass the life of his neighbour: 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.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
No judge shall condemn any man to death upon a single testimony.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Whoso killeth any person,…. Willingly, and through enmity and malice:
the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of two witnesses; which is repeated partly to show, that this law concerning the cities of refuge was not designed to screen a murderer, who was guilty through malice prepense; and partly for the sake of what is added to it, that two witnesses are required in such a case, where a man’s life is at stake, to prove the fact against him; which shows how careful the Lord is, and men should be, of the lives of his creatures, that no man suffer wrongfully; which is repeated again and again, that it might be observed, see De 17:6 but one witness shall not testify against any person, to cause him to die; which looks as if in other cases, in pecuniary matters, and the like, where life is not concerned, one witness may be sufficient; though it is always best and safest to have more if they can be had, that at the mouth of two or three witnesses everything may be established, De 19:15.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
30. Whoso killeth any person, He now returns to willful murderers, whom he will not have spared, but yet not given over to punishment unless convicted by legal proofs. Literally it is, Whoso smiteth a soul, at the mouth of witnesses he shall slay him that slayeth: and this sentence is obscure, from its brevity, unless a noun be supplied before the second verb; and this may be understood either of the judges or the accuser. In the substance, however, there is no ambiguity, viz., that no one should be condemned unless he be lawfully convicted. Moreover, He declares that one witness would be insufficient, inasmuch as it would be most unjust that a man’s life should be at the mercy of a single tongue. I have already adduced a similar passage, (58) in which Moses gave instructions that no capital causes was to be decided except at the mouth of two or three witnesses: and, because such declarations are of general application, I have purposely assigned to them a separate place. Now again, in referring to the condemnation of murderers, he takes occasion to state that two witnesses are required, since nothing is more likely to occur than that the innocent should be overwhelmed by calumnies and perjury, if it depended on the testimony of any single individual. But, when two are brought forward, it may be discovered in many ways, as has been said, whether there is any falsehood; for, if examined separately, they will scarcely accord in all particulars. But, whilst sure proof is required, in order to the punishment of guilt, so, when the murder is proved, God sternly requires, and commands that it should not remain unpunished. He expressly forbids that the right of refuge should be purchasable, since it would else have been in danger of being a shield for many crimes. When, therefore, He forbids a satisfaction to be taken from any one, who would betake himself to a city of refuge, His object is, that no one should enjoy this benefit, until his innocence was fully established; lest the mercy, whereby the innocent were succored, should be open to bribery.
(58) Deu 17:6. See ante, p. 45.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(30) By the mouth of witnesses.The number of witnesses is not here specified. In Deu. 17:6 it is ordained that the crime of idolatry should be punished with death at the mouth of two witnesses, or of three witnesses; and in Deu. 19:15 it is ordained in general terms that one witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
30. By the mouth of witnesses It required two to convict of a capital crime, (Deu 17:6,) and two or three to convict of other crimes. Deu 19:15; 1Ti 5:19, notes. The Jews here literally followed this statute, and insisted that the testimony be given by the mouth and not by writing.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Num 35:30. One witness shall not testify against any person This is a wise precaution to prevent the shedding of innocent blood. The Jews tell us, that where there was but one witness, though he who was accused of the murder could not be put to death, yet he was thrown into a very strait prison, and there fed with bread and water.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
person = soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13.
mouth. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6, for the evidence given by it.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Deu 17:6, Deu 17:7, Deu 19:15, Mat 18:16, Joh 8:17, Joh 8:18, 2Co 13:1, 1Ti 5:19, Heb 10:28, Rev 11:3
Reciprocal: Gen 23:11 – in the Exo 21:12 – General Exo 21:20 – he shall Num 35:16 – the Deu 13:14 – General Mat 5:21 – and 1Ti 1:9 – manslayers
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Num 35:30-31. By the mouth of witnesses A wise precaution to prevent the shedding of innocent blood. If we may credit the Jews, where there was but one witness, and the person accused of murder could not, therefore, be put to death, yet he did not escape without punishment, but was thrown into a very strait prison, and there fed with bread and water. Ye shall take no satisfaction This rigid severity of the law served to impress the minds of the people with a deep sense of the heinousness of the crime of murder, since nothing less than the blood of the murderer could compensate for the crime, and cleanse the land from its pollution. And it is but just in itself that life should pay for life.