· Translation: KJV

Deuteronomy 19:15One 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 a matter be established.

The setting

Plains of Moab, east of Jordan River, ~1406 BC. Moses addresses 2 million Israelites before entering Canaan. Modern-day Jordan.

The emotion here: protective urgency as death approaches

The original word

ed (עֵד) — witness, one who has seen with their own eyes

Why it matters

This law predates the Roman legal system by 900 years

Read with care

What most readers miss in Deuteronomy 19:15

This wasn't just about courts — it protected people from revenge accusations

Common misconceptionPeople think this is just about criminal trials, but Moses was preventing the revenge culture where one angry person could destroy someone's reputation or life with a single accusation.

Bible Genome reading

Deuteronomy 19:15 — Bible Genome reading

SpeakerMoses
Eraexodus
Primary emotionresting
Literary typelaw
MarkCommand

Emotional genome

Comfort power40%
Quotability70%
Memorability60%
Crisis relevance70%
Standalone60%
Themes:justicetruthlegal process

In context

No verse stands alone.

Read the conversation around it.

Open Deuteronomy 19

Deuteronomy 19:15 comes from the book of Deuteronomy, written during the exodus period. These words are attributed to Moses. The dominant emotion in this verse is resting, with a comfort power of 40% and a tone that is commanding. It belongs to the law genre of biblical literature. Key themes include justice, truth, legal process. Notable phrases: One witness shall not rise up. This verse contains a command.

Your reflection

What does Deuteronomy 19:15 mean to you, today?

A short note. A question. A prayer. Saved privately to your Soul Garden, dated, and tied to this verse forever.

Speak your heart →

Get 3 verses for "resting"

Delivered to your inbox right now. Free.