King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 19:15 Mean?

Deuteronomy 19:15 in the King James Version says “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 o...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 19 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Deuteronomy 19:15 · KJV

Context

13

Thine eye shall not pity him, but thou shalt put away the guilt of innocent blood from Israel, that it may go well with thee.

14

Thou shalt not remove thy neighbour's landmark, which they of old time have set in thine inheritance, which thou shalt inherit in the land that the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it.

15

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.

16

If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong; that: or, falling away

17

Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days;

Read Deuteronomy 19 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Witness requirement repeated: '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.' This reiterates Deuteronomy 17:6, extending from capital cases to all judicial matters. One witness is insufficient regardless of offense severity. The phrase 'shall the matter be established' (יָקוּם דָּבָר, yaqum davar) requires solid evidentiary foundation. This protects against false accusation and personal vendettas. Justice requires corroboration. The principle became foundational to biblical and Western jurisprudence. Paul applies it to church discipline (1 Timothy 5:19: 'against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses').

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Historical & Cultural Context

This law protected innocent from malicious prosecution. Naboth's case (1 Kings 21) shows corruption: Jezebel procured false witnesses to frame him. Despite legal form (multiple witnesses), substance was violated (lying testimony). Jesus's trial violated this—inconsistent witnesses, no proper testimony (Mark 14:56-59). The principle: procedural protections serve justice; corrupt procedures serve injustice. Modern legal systems similarly require corroboration, especially in serious cases. Church discipline processes should follow this pattern—private confrontation, two or three witnesses, then church-wide (Matthew 18:15-17).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does requiring multiple witnesses balance protecting innocent while ensuring justice for victims?
  2. What safeguards prevent witnesses from coordinating false testimony (the Naboth problem)?
  3. How should churches implement the 'two or three witnesses' principle when handling serious accusations?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
לֹֽא1 of 24
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יָק֥וּם2 of 24

“be established”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

עֵדִ֖ים3 of 24

“witness”

H5707

concretely, a witness; abstractly, testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e., prince

אֶחָ֜ד4 of 24

“One”

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

בְּאִ֗ישׁ5 of 24

“against a man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

לְכָל6 of 24
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

עָוֹן֙7 of 24

“for any iniquity”

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

וּלְכָל8 of 24
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

חַטָּ֔את9 of 24

“or for any sin”

H2403

an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender

בְּכָל10 of 24
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

חֵ֖טְא11 of 24

“in any sin”

H2399

a crime or its penalty

אֲשֶׁ֣ר12 of 24
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יֶֽחֱטָ֑א13 of 24

“that he sinneth”

H2398

properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn

עַל14 of 24
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

פִּ֥י15 of 24

“at the mouth”

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

שְׁנֵ֣י16 of 24

“of two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

עֵדִ֖ים17 of 24

“witness”

H5707

concretely, a witness; abstractly, testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e., prince

א֛וֹ18 of 24
H176

desire (and so probably in proverbs 31:4); hence (by way of alternative) or, also if

עַל19 of 24
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

פִּ֥י20 of 24

“at the mouth”

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

שְׁלֹשָֽׁה21 of 24

“of three”

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

עֵדִ֖ים22 of 24

“witness”

H5707

concretely, a witness; abstractly, testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e., prince

יָק֥וּם23 of 24

“be established”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

דָּבָֽר׃24 of 24

“shall the matter”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 19:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 19:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 35:302 Corinthians 13:1Deuteronomy 17:6Matthew 18:16Hebrews 10:281 Timothy 5:19

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