ESV Reformation Study Bible – Deut 17:6
Resources chevron-right ESV Reformation Study Bible chevron-right Deuteronomy chevron-right Deut 17:6
Deut 17:6

17:6 two witnesses or of three witnesses. Condemnation does not take place on the basis of hearsay. Two or three witnesses must agree (v. 6; 19:15–19; Num. 35:30), and must be sufficiently convinced and sincere to take part in the stoning, knowing that the penalty for false witness to a crime was the same as for the crime itself (19:19). There was no torture for confession or torture of witnesses.