Deuteronomy 19:15

Arabic 2016 (الكِتاب المُقَدَّس: التَّرْجَمَةُ العَرَبِيَّةُ المُبَسَّطَةُ)

«لَا يَكْفِي شَاهِدٌ وَاحِدٌ لِإدَانَةِ أحَدٍ عَلَى أيِّ خَطَأٍ أوْ عَلَى خَطيَّةٍ ارتَكَبَهَا، بَلْ تَتَثَبَّتُ كُلُّ مَسْألَةٍ بِشَهَادَةِ شَاهِدَينِ أوْ ثَلَاثَةٍ.

What Does This Mean?

This verse from Deuteronomy states that a single witness is not enough to confirm wrongdoing; at least two or three witnesses are needed. This is part of the legal framework given by God to the Israelites to ensure justice. The key message is about the importance of multiple witnesses to establish truth.

Explained for Children

Imagine you and a friend see someone take a cookie from the cookie jar. If only one of you tells your mom, she might not believe you. But if both of you say the same thing, it's much more likely that it really happened. That's what this verse is saying about proving something is true.

Historical Background

Deuteronomy, which means 'second law', was written by Moses around 1400 BC. It was given to the Israelites as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. The verse reflects the legal standards of the time, emphasizing the need for multiple witnesses to ensure fairness and truth.

Living It Out Today

In today's world, this principle can be applied to workplace disputes or neighborhood conflicts. For instance, if there's a disagreement about who was responsible for damaging a shared piece of equipment, it's important to have at least two people who can confirm what happened.

Topics

• justice
• truth
• witnessing
• legal standards
• fairness
• honesty

Related Verses

• Exodus 20:16
• Matthew 18:16
• John 8:17
• Hebrews 10:28
• 1 Timothy 5:19

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are two or three witnesses necessary?

Having multiple witnesses helps to ensure that the truth is not distorted by a single person's perspective or lies, thus promoting fairness and justice.

Does this apply only to legal matters?

While the verse speaks directly to legal matters, the principle can be applied broadly to any situation where truth needs to be established, like in personal disputes or community issues.

What happens if only one witness is available?

According to the verse, a single witness is insufficient for establishing guilt. Additional evidence or witnesses would be needed to confirm the claim.

How does this verse relate to modern court systems?

Modern court systems often require corroborating evidence, much like the requirement for multiple witnesses in ancient Israel, to ensure the reliability of testimony.