Witness

More than one witness was required in criminal cases (Deut. 17:6; 19:15). They were the first to execute the sentence on the condemned (Deut. 13:9; 17:7; 1 Kings 21:13; Matt. 27:1; Acts 7:57, 58). False witnesses were liable to punishment (Deut. 19:16-21). It was also an offence to refuse to bear witness (Lev. 5:1).

Among people with whom writing is not common the evidence of a transaction is given by some tangible memorial or significant ceremony: Abraham gave seven ewe-lambs to Abimelech as an evidence of his property in the well of Beersheba. Jacob raised a heap of stones, “the heap of witness.” as a boundary-mark between himself and Laban. (Genesis 21:30; 31:47,52) The tribes of Reuben and Gad raised an “altar” as a witness to the covenant between themselves and the rest of the nation. Joshua set up a stone as an evidence of the allegiance promised by Israel to God. (Joshua 22:10,26,34; 24:26,27) But written evidence was by no means unknown to the Jews. Divorce was to be proved by a written document. (24:1,3) In civil contracts, at least in later times documentary evidence was required and carefully preserved. (Isaiah 8:16; Jeremiah 32:10-16) On the whole the law was very careful to provide and enforce evidence for all its infractions and all transactions bearing on them. Among special provisions with respect to evidence are the following:

WIT'NESS, one who gives testimony. Two or more witnesses were required by the Mosaic Law in judicial investigations, Deut 17:6-7; and when the sentence of stoning was pronounced, they were required to commence the process of execution. Acts 7:58. A false witness was to suffer that penalty which his testimony might have brought over the accused. The witness of the Spirit with our spirit, Rom 8:16, denotes the consciousness, more or less distinct, of the operations of the Spirit upon the mind, enlightening the understanding and inclining the subject of them to do the will of God. John often exhibits the gospel in the light of a testimony, 1 John 5:9, and Christ himself is called "the faithful and true Witness," Rev 1:5; Num 3:14, not only to the glory and perfection of the Father, but also to his own divine mission and to the universality and perpetuity of his kingdom.

WIT'NESS, one who gives testimony. Two or more witnesses were required by the Mosaic Law in judicial investigations, Deut 17:6-7; and when the sentence of stoning was pronounced, they were required to commence the process of execution. Acts 7:58. A false witness was to suffer that penalty which his testimony might have brought over the accused. The witness of the Spirit with our spirit, Rom 8:16, denotes the consciousness, more or less distinct, of the operations of the Spirit upon the mind, enlightening the understanding and inclining the subject of them to do the will of God. John often exhibits the gospel in the light of a testimony, 1 John 5:9, and Christ himself is called "the faithful and true Witness," Rev 1:5; Num 3:14, not only to the glory and perfection of the Father, but also to his own divine mission and to the universality and perpetuity of his kingdom.

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. Attestation of a fact or an event; testimony. May we with . . . the witness of a good conscience, pursue him with any further revenge Shak. If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. John v. 31.

2. That which furnishes evidence or proof. Laban said to Jacob, . . . This heap be witness, and this pillar be witness. Gen. xxxi. 51, 52.

3. One who is cognizant; a person who beholds, or otherwise has personal knowledge of, anything; as, an eyewitness; an earwitness. "Thyself art witness I am betrothed." Shak. Upon my looking round, I was witness to appearances which filled me with melancholy and regret. R. Hall.

4. One who testifies in a cause, or gives evidence before a judicial tribunal; as, the witness in court agreed in all essential facts.

5. One who sees the execution of an instrument, and subscribes it for the purpose of confirming its authenticity by his testimony; one who witnesses a will, a deed, a marriage, or the like. Privileged witnesses. (Law) See under Privileged. -- With a witness, effectually; to a great degree; with great force, so as to leave some mark as a testimony. [Colloq.] This, I confess, is haste with a witness. South.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

1. To see or know by personal presence; to have direct cognizance of. This is but a faint sketch of the incalculable calamities and horrors we must expect, should we ever witness the triumphs of modern infidelity. R. Hall. General Washington did not live to witness the restoration of peace. Marshall.

2. To give testimony to; to testify to; to attest. Behold how many things they witness against thee. Mark xv. 4.

3. To see the execution of, as an instrument, and subscribe it for the purpose of establishing its authenticity; as, to witness a bond or a deed.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

To bear testimony; to give evidence; to testify. Chaucer. The men of Belial witnessed against him. 1 Kings xxi. 13. The witnessing of the truth was then so generally attended with this event [martyrdom] that martyrdom now signifies not only to witness, but to witness to death. South.