The term "witnesseth" is an archaic form of the verb "witness," often found in legal documents and older translations of the Bible. In a biblical context, to witness is to testify or bear testimony to the truth of an event, person, or divine revelation. The concept of witnessing is deeply embedded in the biblical narrative, serving as a crucial element in the communication of God's truth and the establishment of His covenant with humanity.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the role of a witness is significant in both legal and spiritual contexts. Witnesses were required to establish the truth in legal matters, as seen in Deuteronomy 19:15 : "A lone witness is not sufficient to establish any wrongdoing or sin against a man, regardless of what offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses." This principle underscores the importance of corroborated testimony in the pursuit of justice.

Moreover, the Israelites themselves were called to be witnesses of God's mighty acts and His covenant. Isaiah 43:10 states, "You are My witnesses," declares the LORD, "and My servant whom I have chosen, so that you may consider and believe Me and understand that I am He." Here, the people of Israel are called to testify to the uniqueness and sovereignty of God.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of witnessing takes on a more personal and evangelistic dimension. The apostles and early Christians are depicted as witnesses to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Acts 1:8 records Jesus' commission to His disciples: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." This charge emphasizes the role of believers in spreading the Gospel and testifying to the transformative power of Christ.

The apostle John also emphasizes the importance of witness in his writings. In 1 John 1:1-2 , he writes, "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of life—the life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us." John's testimony is a personal account of his experience with Jesus, serving as a foundation for the faith of others.

Theological Significance

Theologically, witnessing is an act of obedience and faithfulness to God's call. It involves both the proclamation of the Gospel and the demonstration of its truth through one's life. Witnessing is not merely a verbal declaration but encompasses the entirety of a believer's conduct, reflecting the transformative work of the Holy Spirit.

The concept of witness also points to the eschatological hope of the Christian faith. Believers are called to be witnesses until Christ's return, living in anticipation of the fulfillment of God's promises. Revelation 12:11 highlights the power of testimony in the spiritual battle: "They have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; and they did not love their lives so as to shy away from death."

In summary, "witnesseth" in the biblical sense is a multifaceted concept that involves testifying to God's truth, living out the implications of the Gospel, and participating in the mission of the Church to make disciples of all nations.

John v. 31, 32
... "If I bear witness of Myself, My witness is not true; there is another that beareth
witness of Me, and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of Me is true ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xl john v 31.htm

Acts xx. 17-21
... And now, behold, I go bound in the Spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things
that shall befall me there: save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xliv acts xx 17-21.htm

The Life of St. Peter the Apostle
... Clement witnesseth, for he said: Bread only with olives, and seldom with worts,
is mine usage, and I have such clothing as thou seest, a coat and a mantle, and ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the life of st peter.htm

Jesus Life-Giver and Judge.
... If I bear witness of Myself, My witness is not true. It is another that beareth
witness of Me; and I know that the witness which He witnesseth of Me is true. ...
/.../xiii jesus life-giver and judge.htm

Which Thing Whoso Thinks Cannot have Been done by the Apostles...
... layest out more, at my coming again I will repay thee." [2490] The Apostle Paul,
then, did "lay out more," [2491] in that he, as himself witnesseth, did at his ...
/.../augustine/of the work of monks /section 6 which thing whoso.htm

Meditations of the Blessed State of a Regenerate Man in Heaven.
... For heaven exceedeth all this in glory, so far, as that no tongue is able to express,
nor heart of man to conceive, the glory thereof, as witnesseth St. ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/meditations of the blessed state.htm

Consolations against Impatience in Sickness.
... 4. That these afflictions which now you suffer are none other but such as "are
accomplished in your brethren that are in the world," as witnesseth Peter (1 ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/consolations against impatience in sickness.htm

That in the Time of this Work a Perfect Soul Hath no Special ...
... as it were in the same manner, a soul that is perfectly disposed to this work, and
oned thus to God in spirit as the proof of this work witnesseth, doth that ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the five and.htm

That a Man Shall not Take Ensample at the Bodily Ascension of ...
... shouldest ascend into heaven bodily, as Christ did, then thou mightest take ensample
at it: but that may none do but God, as Himself witnesseth, saying: "There ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the nine and 4.htm

Concerning Faith and Baptism.
... For from the beginning the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters [2306] ,
and anew the Scripture witnesseth that water has the power of purification ...
/.../exposition of the orthodox faith/chapter ix concerning faith and baptism.htm

Witnesseth (2 Occurrences)
...Witnesseth (2 Occurrences). John 5:32 There is another that beareth witness of me;
and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true. (KJV ASV). ...
/w/witnesseth.htm - 6k

Witnessing (11 Occurrences)

/w/witnessing.htm - 10k

Witnesses (69 Occurrences)

/w/witnesses.htm - 27k

Abide (162 Occurrences)
... ASV). Acts 20:23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying
that bonds and afflictions abide me. (KJV ASV WBS). Acts ...
/a/abide.htm - 38k

Save (375 Occurrences)
... (ASV). Acts 20:23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying
that bonds and afflictions abide me. (KJV ASV WBS YLT). ...
/s/save.htm - 37k

Witness (295 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY RSV). John 5:32 There is another that beareth witness of me;
and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true. ...
/w/witness.htm - 44k

Ghost (123 Occurrences)
... prophesied. (KJV). Acts 20:23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every
city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. (KJV). ...
/g/ghost.htm - 39k

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