Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Deuteronomy 17:6
At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; [but] at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.
6. At the mouth of two witnesses or at the mouth of three witnesses ] So Sam. and LXX, as in Deu 19:15, where the law, here applied to a particular case, is more generally stated. Cp. P, Num 35:30.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 6. Two witnesses] ONE might be deceived, or be prejudiced or malicious; therefore God required two substantial witnesses for the support of the charge.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
At the mouth, i.e. upon the testimony delivered upon oath before the magistrates.
Three witnesses, to wit, credible and competent witnesses. The Jews rejected the testimonies of madmen. children, women, servants, familiar friends, or enemies, persons of dissolute lives and evil fame.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death,…. The idolater found guilty was to be stoned; two witnesses were sufficient to prove a fact, if three the better, but, on the testimony of one, sentence might not be pronounced. Aben Ezra observes, that some say, if two witnesses contradict two other, a third turns the scale and determines the matter; and others say, that two who are wise men will do, and three of others; and because it is said “at the mouth” of these witnesses, it is concluded, that a testimony should be verbal and not written; should not be recorded, neither in pecuniary cases nor in capital ones, but from the mouth of the witnesses, as it is said “at the mouth”, c. at their mouth, and not from their handwriting e:
[but] at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death so careful is the Lord of the lives of men, that none should be taken away but upon full and sufficient evidence, even in cases in which his own glory and honour is so much concerned.
e Maimon. Hilchot Eduth, c. 3. sect. 4.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
As His severity in exacting punishment, where murder has been unquestionably committed, shows how highly God rates the life of men, so the qualification, which we find here, declares, that he takes equal care for the preservation of innocent blood. For, since too great credulity would often impel the judges to condemn the guiltless, He here applies a remedy to this evil, forbidding that the crime should be punished unless proved by sure testimony. Although He has naturally inscribed this law upon every heart, yet he would have it written down, that its observance amongst the Israelites might be more sacred; for nothing is more dangerous than to expose men’s lives to the tongue of a single individual; but, where the consent of two or three is carefully weighed, any lurking falsehood is for the most part detected.
Lest, therefore, any one should be rashly condemned, and so innocence should be oppressed by any light conjectures, or insufficient accusations, or unjust prejudices, God here interferes, and does not allow any to be harshly dealt with, unless duly convicted.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
Deu 17:6 At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; [but] at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.
Ver. 8. Too hard for thee in judgment, ] i.e., For thee, O judge, who art thereupon to consult with the priests, and by them to be informed of the true sense and meaning of God’s law. For apices iuris non sunt ius. And the Rabbins have a saying, Nulla est obiectio in Lege, quae non habet solutionem in latere. Now the priest’s lips should preserve knowledge, and the law should be sought at his mouth; the high priest also, in some cases, was to inquire, and answer after the judgment of Urim, before the Lord. Num 27:21 This the Pope cannot do, and therefore cannot claim the final determination of all causes and controversies, though his parasites tell him,
“ Oraclis vocis mundi moderaris habenas:
Et meritb in terris diceris esse Deus. ”
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
mouth. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), put for the witness borne by it. App-6.
two. Compare Num 35:30, and see Mat 18:16. 2Co 13:1. 1Ti 5:19.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Deu 19:15, Num 35:30, Mat 18:16, Joh 8:17, Joh 8:18, 2Co 13:1, 1Ti 5:19, Heb 10:28
Reciprocal: Gen 23:11 – in the Joh 8:7 – He that Rom 6:21 – for the Rev 11:3 – two
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Deu 17:6. 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.