Witness: 5 definitions

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In Christianity
1. General definition
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Introduction:

Witness means something in Christianity. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. On this page you will also find search and cross-referencing tools.

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In Christianity

General definition (in Christianity)

Source: archive.org: Easton's Bible Dictionary

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

Source: archive.org: Smith's Bible Dictionary

Witness refers to:—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:

1) Two witnesses at least are required to establish any charge. (Numbers 35:30; 17:6; John 8:17; 2 Corinthians 13:1) comp. 1Tim 5:19

2) In the case of the suspected wife, evidence besides the husband’s was desired. (Numbers 5:13)

3) The witness who withheld the truth was censured. (Leviticus 5:1)

4) False witness was punished with the penalty due to the offence which it sought to establish.

5) Slanderous reports and officious witness are discouraged. (Exodus 20:16; 23:1; Leviticus 18:16,18) etc.

6) The witnesses were the first executioners. (15:9; 17:7; Acts 7:58)

7) In case of an animal left in charge and torn by wild beasts, the keeper was to bring the carcass in proof of the fact and disproof of his own criminality. (Exodus 22:13)

8) According to Josephus, women and slaves were not admitted to bear testimony. In the New Testament the original notion of a witness is exhibited in the special form of one who attests his belief in the gospel by personal suffering. Hence it is that the use of the ecclesiastical term (“martyr.” the Greek word for “witness,” has arisen.

Source: archive.org: Nave's Topical Bible

Witness definition and references: –General scriptures concerning Leviticus 5:1; Proverbs 18:17
–Qualified by oath Exodus 22:11; Numbers 5:19,21; 1 Kings 8:31,32
–By laying hands on the accused Leviticus 24:14
–Two necessary to establish a fact Numbers 35:30; Deuteronomy 17:6; 19:15; Matthew 18:16; John 8:17; 2 Corinthians 13:1; Timothy 5:19; Hebrews 10:28
–Required to throw the first stone in executing the sentence Deuteronomy 13:9; 17:5-7; Acts 7:58
–To the transfer of land Genesis 21:25-30; 23:11,16-18; Ruth 4:1-9; Jeremiah 32:9-12,25,44
–To marriage Ruth 4:10,11; Isaiah 8:2,3
–Incorruptible Psalms 15:4
–Corrupted by money Matthew 28:11-15; Acts 6:11,13
–Figurative
–Of instruction in righteousness Revelation 11:3
–See Courts
–See Evidence
–See Falsehood
–See False Witness
–See Holy Spirit
–See Testimony
–See Testimony, Religious

Source: archive.org: Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature

Witness refers to:—It occurs, first, in the sense of a person who deposes to the occurrence of any fact, a witness of any event. It means a judicial witness in ; ; ; (comp. ; ; ; ); ; ; ; ; ; . It is applied, generally, to a person who certifies, or is able to certify, to any fact which has come under his cognizance. So in allusion to those who witness the public games. It is also applied to anyone who testifies to the world what God reveals through him. In the latter sense the Greek word is applied to our Lord. It is further used in the ecclesiastical sense of martyr.

Relevant text

Search found 411 books and stories containing Witness, The witness; (plurals include: Witnesses, The witnesses). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:

16. Persons fit and unfit for Witness < [Chapter 5 - Vyavaharamala—General features based on text]

15. Witness (Saksi-nirupana) < [Chapter 5 - Vyavaharamala—General features based on text]

17. Lekhya nirupana (written documents) < [Chapter 5 - Vyavaharamala—General features based on text]

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Verse 8.78 < [Section XII (A) - Evidence]

Verse 8.79 < [Section XII - Exhortation and Examination of Witnesses]

Verse 8.257 < [Section XL - Disputes regarding Boundaries]

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Chapter XIII

Chapter XV

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Chapter 255 - Description of rules relating to disputes and different kinds of ordeals