v. Testimony
Gen 31:48 Laban said, This heap is t today between
Exo 23:1 do not .. with the wicked to be t false
Num 35:30; Deu 17:6; 19:15
Witness (Heb. usually êd; Gr. mártus or márturos and marturia, from which the English word “martyr” derives). Someone who can testify regarding an event, because he has directly observed it; also confirmation of the implied fact or facts. Sometimes certain inanimate objects (burial mounds, altars, and columns) were erected as witnesses to an agreement or to commemorate some event or obligation (Gen 31:44-48; Jos 22:26, 27; 24:26, 27; Isa 19 :19, 20). Mosaic law required the presence of 2 or 3 witnesses in cases involving capital punishment (Num 35:30; Deu 17:6; Heb 10:28; etc.), as a safeguard against false testimony. When a person was condemned, the witness was the first to act in the administration of the punishment (Deu 13:9; cf Act 7:58). False testimony was strictly prohibited by the 9th commandment (Exo 20:16; cf Luk 18:20), and the person guilty of it was to receive whatever punishment he was trying to achieve for the accused (Deu 19:16-19) . Witnesses were called to confirm various legal transactions (Rth 4:9, 10; Isa 8:2; Jer 32:8-11). The apostles were witnesses of the resurrection and of the gospel, and gave their testimony with certainty (Acts 1:8; 2:32; 3:15; 10:39; 1 Kings 5:1; cf Luk 24:48; etc.) . Paul was specially called and prepared to be a witness for Christ (Acts 22:14, 15; 26:12-16). Jesus is said to be “the faithful and true witness” (Rev 3:14; cf 1:5). In certain circumstances the gr. martus came to mean “martyr”,* and that is the meaning of the word “witness” in Act 22:20 and Rev 2:13 in the RVR. In Rev 17:6 it has been translated “martyr.”
Source: Evangelical Bible Dictionary
testimony, person who witnesses an event and reports on it. a single tea it was not legally sufficient to pass sentence. Only the declaration of two or three witnesses made the cause just, Dt 19, 15; Mt 18, 16; 2 Co 13, 1. Testifying falsely made the law proceed with him in the same way as it would have proceeded against the unjustly accused, Dt 19, 16-21. Warnings are frequently made regarding false witnesses, Ex 23, 1; Salt 35, 11; Pr 14, 5. In the pact between Laban and Jacob one served as t. to the other, Gn 31, 44. A canticle could also serve as a t., Dt 31, 19; also an object, like a stone, Jos 24, 27. God is also put as t. or invoked as such, as when Yahweh was t. of the innocence of Samuel, 1 Sam 12, 5. Between David and Jonathan is Yahweh forever as t., 1 Sam 20, 23.
God is you. of hidden thoughts Wis 1, 6, of marital fidelity, Ml 2, 14. The apostles are witnesses of the acts of Christ and of his resurrection, Acts 1, 22; 2, 32. Jesus was appointed the Faithful Witness, Rev 1, 5; although not only he bears witness to himself, his Father also bears witness to him, Jn 8, 12-20.
The apostles gave a meaning to the word t. by being willing to testify to the death if necessary; thus, the equivalent of the word t. in Greek martys, he was a martyr. The first Christian martyr was Stephen. He, with his blood, bore witness to the truth of Christ.
Digital Bible Dictionary, Grupo C Service & Design Ltda., Colombia, 2003
Source: Digital Bible Dictionary
(Heb., edh and related forms, Gr., martys and related words and combinations). There are things that can be witnesses: a heap of stones (Gen 31:44-52), a song (Deu 31:19-21), the law (Deu 31:26), an altar (Jos 22:27-34) , a stone that has heard God speak (Jos 24:27), an altar and an obelisk along the border of Egypt (Isa 19:19-20). Giving false testimony is condemned (Exo 20:16; Exo 23:2; Deu 5:20) and is punished the same as the crime of which one accused another (Deu 19:16-18).
True witnesses and false witnesses are contrasted (Pro 14:5). Two or three witnesses were required in legal proceedings (Deu 19:15; Mat 18:16; 2Co 13:1; 1Ti 5:19; Heb 10:28). Jeremiah (Jer 32:6-25, Jer 32:44) describes the use of witnesses in a real estate transfer. The tabernacle of the testimony (Num 17:7-8; Num 9:15; 2Ch 24:6) was so called because the testimony of the presence of God (the shekinah and the tables of the law) were found in it. God is called as a witness (Gen 31:50; Job 16:19; Jer 29:23; Jer 42:5; Mic 1:2; Mal 3:5; Rom 1:9; 1Th 2:5, 1Th 2:10 ). On solemn occasions, men declared themselves witnesses (Jos 24:22; Rth 4:9-11). God called his people Israel his witnesses (Isa 43:10, Isa 43:12; Isa 44:8) and the apostles recognized themselves as such (Luk 24:48; Act 1:8; Act 2:32; Act 3: 15; Acts 5:32; Acts 10:39-41; 1Th 2:10). Peter thought that Judas should be replaced as a witness (Acts 1:22). Paul was specially constituted a witness (Acts 22:15; Acts 26:16). He exhorts Timothy to remember the many witnesses (1Ti 6:12; 2Ti 2:2). Peter appeals to the readers of him as a witness to the sufferings of Christ (1Pe 5:1). Jesus Christ is the faithful witness (Rev 1:5; Rev 3:14). The cloud of witnesses of Heb 12:1 are those who by the lives they have lived testify that the life of faith is the only life worth living.
Source: Hispanic World Bible Dictionary
Person or group that accredits, with its direct statement and based on indisputable experience, the reality of an event or the veracity of an affirmation.
The witness must be a responsible person, which indicates that he bears the consequences of his testimony. That is why he is never a legal witness, a minor or a defective. And in any case, it is the judge’s mission to discern the veracity of the testimony and its credibility. And that is why false testimony is also so immoral, given the credibility that is attributed to it in principle and the damage that it can cause if it is not truthful and faithful.
In ancient cultures, which were eminently oral and experiential, testimony was the ultimate proof of an event or situation. And when the witnesses were accumulated and their independence and veracity were proven, there could be no superior evidence. This is how we must understand the value given in the Scripture to testimonial statements and on that was based the strength of the evangelical testimony of the Apostles, who had seen and heard what they transmitted (1 Jn. 1.1; Jn. 21. 24; 13.13)
In modern cultures, other evidence replaces experiential testimony: documents, technical tests, visual records, etc.
Pedro Chico González, Dictionary of Catechesis and Religious Pedagogy, Editorial Bruño, Lima, Peru 2006
Source: Dictionary of Catechesis and Religious Pedagogy
The Greek word martyria can mean: 1) to affirm what has been seen so that others can be convinced of it; 2) especially in court, testify so that the judge does justice; 3) the righteous, with his conduct, testifies to God; 4) the testimony par excellence is that of the martyr, who signs what he affirms with his blood. Without declaring witnesses there can be no criminal sentence (Num 5,13). At least two or three coincident witnesses were needed (Dt 19,15-16; Num 35,30; Mt 26,59-61; Mk 14,56-57). False witnesses were severely punished (Dt 19,16-20; 1 Kings 21,10-13; Dan 13,34-41); the wise men of Israel anathematize the false witness (Prov 19,9); there was a serious obligation to testify (Lev 5,1.5.6).
The Synoptic Gospels speak of testimony in its ordinary meaning in a trial (Mt 18,16; 26,65; Mk 14,63). The Gospel of Saint John speaks to us of a varied testimony about Jesus Christ: to bear witness to Jesus Christ so that everyone believes in Him, in his messiahship and in his divinity. Faith in Jesus Christ is a reasoned faith, supported by multiple testimonies: the testimony of the Holy Scriptures, which Jesus Christ himself makes use of (Jn 5,39); of the Father (Jn 5,31.32.37; 8,40; 12,28; 1 Jn 5, 9-11; Lk 9,35); of the Holy Spirit (Jn 15,26; 16,14); of miracles (Jn 10,38); of the prophecies (Jn 12,26.38-40; 13,18; 14,26; 19,24); of John the Baptist (Jn 1,6.15.19.29.35; 3,27; 5,33); of the apostles (Jn 15,27), who are exceptional witnesses of the resurrection of Jesus Christ (Act 1,21; 4,33), who will be assisted by the Holy Spirit when they have to testify before the courts (Mt 10,18; Lk 12,10-12; Act 6,16); Among the apostles there are two exceptional witnesses: John, who testifies to what he saw (1 Jn 4,14), and Peter, who will give the supreme testimony of martyrdom (Jn 21,19).
MNE
FERNANDEZ RAMOS, Felipe (Dir.), Dictionary of Jesus of Nazareth, Editorial Monte Carmelo, Burbos, 2001
Source: Dictionary of Jesus of Nazareth
See JUDICIAL CAUSE.
Source: Dictionary of the Bible
One who is present, bears witness, provides evidence or proof. Witnesses are used in various ecclesiastical matters, such as civil, in proof of a statement, fact or contract. Under various circumstances, a witness is one who is personally present, sees some act or occurrence, and can testify to it; one who, at the request or in favor of a party, signs his name on an instrument to attest to the authenticity of his execution; one who gives testimony on the trial of a cause, appears before a court, judge, or other official to be examined under oath. For Catholic marriages (“Ne temere”) to be binding, they must be in writing, signed by the contracting parties and ordinarily by two witnesses, or by a pastor or ordinary, each within their own territory, as sole witnesses. In the event that one or both parties are unable, for any reason, to write, an additional witness is required. Catholics cannot contract a licit marriage (“Ne temere”) except in the presence of a parish priest, or ordinary, or other duly delegated priest, and two witnesses. Although it is not necessary for the validity of the act, the Church wishes in both cases that these witnesses be Catholics (SO, August 19, 1891). Witnesses to a marriage do not sign an ecclesiastical document, although they may be called by the state to witness civil records by their own hand.
Godparents at a baptism and confirmation are not proper witnesses, but help for other purposes (see relationship). A canonical precept, if used, must be issued in the presence of a vicar general or two other witnesses (Cum magnopere, VII). Ecclesiastical documents are attested or witnessed as circumstances require, for example, by the chancellor, court clerk, apostolic prothonotary. Expert witnesses to some extent have their place in canon law. In ecclesiastical trials it is argued that witnesses prove a fact directly or indirectly, that is, by establishing the falsehood of the contrary.
The essential qualifications of a witness are knowledge of the fact in question and truthfulness: he must be an eyewitness and reliable. However, hearsay witnesses are admitted, if necessary, in matters of a non-criminal nature, for example, as evidence of consanguinity or other relationship, baptism, etc. You can testify someone who is not expressly prohibited. Natural law excludes some such as the insane, children, the blind or deaf, where sight or hearing are…