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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>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.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/numbers/35-30.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/04_Num_35_30.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Numbers 35:30 - Six Cities of Refuge" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="If anyone kills a person, the murderer is to be put to death on the testimony of the witnesses. 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But no one is to be put to death on the testimony of only one witness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/numbers/35.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“All murderers must be put to death, but only if evidence is presented by more than one witness. No one may be put to death on the testimony of only one witness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/numbers/35.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“If anyone kills a person, the murderer shall be put to death on the evidence of witnesses. But no person shall be put to death on the testimony of one witness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/numbers/35.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/numbers/35.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />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 <i>to cause him</i> to die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/numbers/35.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Whoever kills a person, the murderer shall be put to death on the testimony of witnesses; but one witness is not <i>sufficient</i> testimony against a person for the death <i>penalty.</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/numbers/35.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />‘<i>If</i> anyone kills a person, the murderer shall be put to death on the testimony of witnesses, but no person shall be put to death on the testimony of <i>only</i> one witness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/numbers/35.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8216If anyone kills a person, the murderer shall be put to death at the evidence of witnesses, but no person shall be put to death on the testimony of one witness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/numbers/35.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />‘If anyone kills a person, the murderer shall be put to death at the evidence of witnesses, but no person shall be put to death on the testimony of one witness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/numbers/35.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />‘If anyone strikes down a person, the murderer shall be put to death at the mouth of witnesses, but no person shall be put to death on the testimony of one witness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/numbers/35.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />‘If anyone kills a person [intentionally], the murderer shall be put to death on the testimony of [two or more] witnesses; but no one shall be put to death on the testimony of [only] one witness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/numbers/35.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“If anyone kills a person, the murderer is to be put to death based on the word of witnesses. But no one is to be put to death based on the testimony of one witness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/numbers/35.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If anyone kills a person, the murderer is to be put to death based on the word of witnesses. But no one is to be put to death based on the testimony of one witness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/numbers/35.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be slain at the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person that he die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/numbers/35.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Death is the penalty for murder. But no one accused of murder can be put to death unless there are at least two witnesses to the crime. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/numbers/35.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Whoso killeth any person, the manslayer shall be slain at the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person that he die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/numbers/35.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Whoever kills another person will be put to death as a murderer only on the testimony of more than one witness. No one can be put to death on the testimony of only one witness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/numbers/35.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"Those accused of murder may be found guilty and put to death only on the evidence of two or more witnesses; the evidence of one witness is not sufficient to support an accusation of murder. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/numbers/35.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Every murderer of a human being is to be executed only according to testimony given by multiple witnesses. A single witness is not to result in a death sentence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/numbers/35.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/numbers/35.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"Whoever kills any person, the murderer must be put to death by the testimony of witnesses; but one witness cannot testify against any person to cause him to be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/numbers/35.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"'Whoever kills any person, the murderer shall be slain at the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person that he die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/numbers/35.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Whoever 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/numbers/35.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“‘Whoever kills any person, the murderer shall be slain based on the testimony of witnesses; but one witness shall not testify alone against any person so that he dies. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/numbers/35.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Whoever strikes a person, by the mouth of witnesses [one] slays the murderer; and one witness does not testify against a person to cause [him] to die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/numbers/35.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> whoso smiteth a person, by the mouth of witnesses doth one slay the murderer; and one witness doth not testify against a person -- to die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/numbers/35.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Every one striking a soul by the mouth of witnesses, he shall slay the slayer: and one witness shall not testify against a soul to die.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/numbers/35.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The murderer shall be punished by witnesses: none shall be condemned upon the evidence of one man. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/numbers/35.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />The punishment of a murderer shall be based upon testimony; but no one shall be condemned upon the testimony of only one person.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/numbers/35.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Whenever someone kills another, the evidence of witnesses is required to kill the murderer. A single witness does not suffice for putting a person to death. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/numbers/35.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />If anyone kills another, the murderer shall be put to death on the evidence of witnesses; but no one shall be put to death on the testimony of a single witness.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/numbers/35.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Whosoever kills any person, the murderer shall be put to death on the testimony of witnesses; but just one witness shall not testify against any person that he may be put to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/numbers/35.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Everyone who will kill a person, the murderer will be killed through the mouth of witnesses, and one witness shall not testify against a soul that he would be put to death.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/numbers/35.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be slain at the mouth of witnesses; but one witness shall not testify against any person that he die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/numbers/35.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Whoever kills a man, thou shalt slay the murderer on the testimony of witnesses; and one witness shall not testify against a soul that he should die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/numbers/35-30.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yauBFvKLNNo?start=10975" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/numbers/35.htm">Six Cities of Refuge</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">29</span>This will be a statutory ordinance for you for the generations to come, wherever you live. <span class="reftext">30</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: kāl- (N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">If anyone</a> <a href="/hebrew/5221.htm" title="5221: mak·kêh- (V-Hifil-Prtcpl-msc) -- To smite. A primitive root; to strike.">kills</a> <a href="/hebrew/5315.htm" title="5315: ne·p̄eš (N-fs) -- From naphash; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. Animal of vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense.">a person,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7523.htm" title="7523: yir·ṣaḥ (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To murder, slay. A primitive root; properly, to dash in pieces, i.e. Kill, especially to murder.">the murderer</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/7523.htm" title="7523: hā·rō·ṣê·aḥ (Art:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To murder, slay. A primitive root; properly, to dash in pieces, i.e. Kill, especially to murder.">is to be put to death</a> <a href="/hebrew/6310.htm" title="6310: lə·p̄î (Prep-l:: N-msc) -- Mouth. From pa'ah; the mouth, whether literal or figurative; specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially according to.">on the testimony</a> <a href="/hebrew/5707.htm" title="5707: ‘ê·ḏîm (N-mp) -- A witness. Contracted from uwd; concretely, a witness; abstractly, testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e. Prince.">of the witnesses.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">But no</a> <a href="/hebrew/5315.htm" title="5315: ḇə·ne·p̄eš (Prep-b:: N-fs) -- From naphash; properly, a breathing creature, i.e. Animal of vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense.">one</a> <a href="/hebrew/4191.htm" title="4191: lā·mūṯ (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To die. A primitive root: to die; causatively, to kill.">is to be put to death</a> <a href="/hebrew/6030.htm" title="6030: ya·‘ă·neh (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To answer, respond.">based on the testimony</a> <a href="/hebrew/259.htm" title="259: ’e·ḥāḏ (Number-ms) -- One. A numeral from 'achad; properly, united, i.e. One; or first.">of a lone</a> <a href="/hebrew/5707.htm" title="5707: wə·‘êḏ (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- A witness. Contracted from uwd; concretely, a witness; abstractly, testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e. Prince.">witness.</a> </span><span class="reftext">31</span>You are not to accept a ransom for the life of a murderer who deserves to die; he must surely be put to death.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/17-6.htm">Deuteronomy 17:6</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/19-15.htm">Deuteronomy 19:15</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/18-16.htm">Matthew 18:16</a></span><br />But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/10-28.htm">Hebrews 10:28</a></span><br />Anyone who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/8-17.htm">John 8:17</a></span><br />Even in your own Law it is written that the testimony of two men is valid.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/5-19.htm">1 Timothy 5:19</a></span><br />Do not entertain an accusation against an elder, except on the testimony of two or three witnesses.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-58.htm">Acts 7:58</a></span><br />They dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/6-13.htm">Acts 6:13</a></span><br />where they presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/21-13.htm">1 Kings 21:13</a></span><br />And the two scoundrels came in and sat opposite Naboth, and these men testified against him before the people, saying, “Naboth has cursed both God and the king!” So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joshua/20-3.htm">Joshua 20:3-5</a></span><br />so that anyone who kills another unintentionally or accidentally may flee there. These will be your refuge from the avenger of blood. / When someone flees to one of these cities, stands at the entrance of the city gate, and states his case before its elders, they are to bring him into the city and give him a place to live among them. / Now if the avenger of blood pursues him, they must not surrender the manslayer into his hand, because that man killed his neighbor accidentally without prior malice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/14-45.htm">1 Samuel 14:45</a></span><br />But the people said to Saul, “Must Jonathan die—he who accomplished such a great deliverance for Israel? Never! As surely as the LORD lives, not a hair of his head will fall to the ground, for with God’s help he has accomplished this today.” So the people rescued Jonathan, and he did not die.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/1-16.htm">2 Samuel 1:16</a></span><br />For David had said to the Amalekite, “Your blood be on your own head because your own mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I killed the LORD’s anointed.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/10-6.htm">2 Kings 10:6</a></span><br />Then Jehu wrote them a second letter and said: “If you are on my side, and if you will obey me, then bring the heads of your master’s sons to me at Jezreel by this time tomorrow.” Now the sons of the king, seventy in all, were being brought up by the leading men of the city.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/24-14.htm">Leviticus 24:14</a></span><br />“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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/21-12.htm">Exodus 21:12</a></span><br />Whoever strikes and kills a man must surely be put to death.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Whoever kills 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.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/17-6.htm">Deuteronomy 17:6,7</a></b></br> At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; <i>but</i> at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/19-15.htm">Deuteronomy 19:15</a></b></br> One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/18-16.htm">Matthew 18:16</a></b></br> But if he will not hear <i>thee, then</i> take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/numbers/32-15.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/numbers/35-23.htm">Causing</a> <a href="/numbers/35-28.htm">Death</a> <a href="/numbers/35-23.htm">Die</a> <a href="/exodus/22-13.htm">Evidence</a> <a href="/numbers/35-15.htm">Killeth</a> <a href="/numbers/35-27.htm">Kills</a> <a href="/leviticus/24-21.htm">Mortally</a> <a href="/numbers/32-24.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/numbers/35-21.htm">Murderer</a> <a href="/numbers/35-27.htm">Slain</a> <a href="/numbers/35-27.htm">Slay</a> <a href="/numbers/35-21.htm">Smite</a> <a href="/numbers/24-8.htm">Smiteth</a> <a href="/leviticus/5-1.htm">Testify</a> <a href="/numbers/18-2.htm">Testimony</a> <a href="/numbers/18-2.htm">Witness</a> <a href="/revelation/17-6.htm">Witnesses</a> <a href="/numbers/31-16.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/numbers/35-33.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-42.htm">Causing</a> <a href="/numbers/35-31.htm">Death</a> <a href="/numbers/35-31.htm">Die</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/17-6.htm">Evidence</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-4.htm">Killeth</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-42.htm">Kills</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-6.htm">Mortally</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/1-26.htm">Mouth</a> <a href="/numbers/35-31.htm">Murderer</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/1-4.htm">Slain</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/9-28.htm">Slay</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/1-44.htm">Smite</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-4.htm">Smiteth</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/8-19.htm">Testify</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/5-20.htm">Testimony</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-26.htm">Witness</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/17-6.htm">Witnesses</a> <a href="/numbers/36-5.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Numbers 35</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/35-1.htm">Forty-eight cities for the Levites, with their suburbs, and measure thereof</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/35-6.htm">Six of them are to be cities of refuge</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/35-9.htm">The laws of murder and manslaughter</a></span><br><span class="reftext">31. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/numbers/35-31.htm">No satisfaction for murder</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/numbers/35.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>Anyone who kills a person</b><br />This phrase sets the context for the legal and moral framework of ancient Israel regarding the sanctity of life. The Hebrew word for "kills" is "נָכָה" (nakah), which implies a deliberate act of striking or smiting. This highlights the seriousness with which the act of taking a life is regarded in the biblical text. The sanctity of life is a foundational principle in the Judeo-Christian ethic, reflecting the belief that humans are made in the image of God (<a href="/genesis/1-27.htm">Genesis 1:27</a>).<p><b>is to be put to death</b><br />The phrase underscores the gravity of murder in the biblical legal system. The Hebrew term "מוּת" (muth) is used here, indicating a divine mandate for capital punishment in cases of murder. This reflects the principle of justice and retribution, which is a recurring theme in the Old Testament. The death penalty for murder serves as a deterrent and a means of purging evil from the community (<a href="/deuteronomy/19-19.htm">Deuteronomy 19:19</a>).<p><b>as a murderer</b><br />The term "murderer" in Hebrew is "רֹצֵחַ" (rotzeach), which specifically refers to one who unlawfully takes a life with intent. This distinction is crucial, as it differentiates between accidental killing (manslaughter) and premeditated murder. The biblical law provides cities of refuge for those who commit manslaughter, emphasizing the importance of intent and justice (<a href="/numbers/35-11.htm">Numbers 35:11-15</a>).<p><b>only on the testimony of witnesses</b><br />This phrase highlights the importance of due process and the requirement of multiple witnesses in capital cases. The Hebrew word for "witnesses" is "עֵדִים" (edim), which implies a legal testimony that is credible and corroborated. This requirement is rooted in the principle of establishing truth and preventing false accusations, as seen in <a href="/deuteronomy/19-15.htm">Deuteronomy 19:15</a>, which states that a matter must be established by two or three witnesses.<p><b>But no one is to be put to death based on the testimony of a lone witness</b><br />This clause reinforces the necessity of multiple witnesses to ensure justice and prevent wrongful execution. The biblical legal system places a high value on the integrity of the judicial process, recognizing human fallibility and the potential for false testimony. This principle is echoed in the New Testament, where Jesus emphasizes the need for multiple witnesses in matters of church discipline (<a href="/matthew/18-16.htm">Matthew 18:16</a>).<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/numbers/35.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(30) <span class= "bld">By the mouth of witnesses.--</span>The number of witnesses is not here specified. In <a href="/deuteronomy/17-6.htm" title="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.">Deuteronomy 17:6</a> 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 <a href="/deuteronomy/19-15.htm" title="One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sins: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.">Deuteronomy 19:15</a> 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."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/numbers/35.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 30.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">By the mouth of witnesses,</span> <span class="accented">i.e.,<span class="cmt_word"></span></span> of two at least (cf. <a href="/deuteronomy/17-6.htm">Deuteronomy 17:6</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/numbers/35-30.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">If anyone</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּל־</span> <span class="translit">(kāl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">kills</span><br /><span class="heb">מַ֨כֵּה־</span> <span class="translit">(mak·kêh-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5221.htm">Strong's 5221: </a> </span><span class="str2">To strike</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a person,</span><br /><span class="heb">נֶ֔פֶשׁ</span> <span class="translit">(ne·p̄eš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5315.htm">Strong's 5315: </a> </span><span class="str2">A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion </span><br /><br /><span class="word">the murderer</span><br /><span class="heb">יִרְצַ֖ח</span> <span class="translit">(yir·ṣaḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7523.htm">Strong's 7523: </a> </span><span class="str2">To dash in pieces, kill, to murder</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is to be put to death</span><br /><span class="heb">הָרֹצֵ֑חַ</span> <span class="translit">(hā·rō·ṣê·aḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7523.htm">Strong's 7523: </a> </span><span class="str2">To dash in pieces, kill, to murder</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on the testimony</span><br /><span class="heb">לְפִ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(lə·p̄î)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6310.htm">Strong's 6310: </a> </span><span class="str2">The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of [multiple] witnesses.</span><br /><span class="heb">עֵדִ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(‘ê·ḏîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5707.htm">Strong's 5707: </a> </span><span class="str2">A witness, testimony, a recorder, prince</span><br /><br /><span class="word">But no</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹא־</span> <span class="translit">(lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">one</span><br /><span class="heb">בְנֶ֖פֶשׁ</span> <span class="translit">(ḇə·ne·p̄eš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5315.htm">Strong's 5315: </a> </span><span class="str2">A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion </span><br /><br /><span class="word">is to be put to death</span><br /><span class="heb">לָמֽוּת׃</span> <span class="translit">(lā·mūṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4191.htm">Strong's 4191: </a> </span><span class="str2">To die, to kill</span><br /><br /><span class="word">based on the testimony</span><br /><span class="heb">יַעֲנֶ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(ya·‘ă·neh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6030.htm">Strong's 6030: </a> </span><span class="str2">To answer, respond</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of a lone</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶחָ֔ד</span> <span class="translit">(’e·ḥāḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_259.htm">Strong's 259: </a> </span><span class="str2">United, one, first</span><br /><br /><span class="word">witness.</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעֵ֣ד</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘êḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5707.htm">Strong's 5707: </a> </span><span class="str2">A witness, testimony, a recorder, prince</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/numbers/35-30.htm">Numbers 35:30 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/numbers/35-30.htm">Numbers 35:30 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/numbers/35-30.htm">Numbers 35:30 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/numbers/35-30.htm">Numbers 35:30 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/numbers/35-30.htm">Numbers 35:30 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/numbers/35-30.htm">Numbers 35:30 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/numbers/35-30.htm">Numbers 35:30 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/numbers/35-30.htm">Numbers 35:30 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/numbers/35-30.htm">Numbers 35:30 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/numbers/35-30.htm">Numbers 35:30 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/numbers/35-30.htm">OT Law: Numbers 35:30 Whoever kills any person the murderer shall (Nu Num.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/numbers/35-29.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Numbers 35:29"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Numbers 35:29" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/numbers/35-31.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Numbers 35:31"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Numbers 35:31" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>