Call to Testify

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Introduction

If any one sins in that he hears a public adjuration to testify and though he is a witness, whether he has seen or come to know the matter, yet does not speak, he shall bear his iniquity. (Leviticus 5:1 RSV)

There is no escaping the fact that a 'call for witnesses' was - and remains - a commandment included in the 613 Mitzvot of the written Law.

Failure to testify when called upon is therefore a sin. The call may be explicit; or it may be implied, being a part of Covenant Law, as seen in Lev. 5:1. Such wrongdoing could well lead to a miscarriage of justice. Of course, the degree of wrongdoing will depend on context - as will the punishment.

Recall that false witnesses were called to testify against Jesus. But none of the supposedly 'good' Levitical priests came forward to put the record straight! And their very silence gave assent to the evil being perpetrated against Jesus at His trial. Consequently the whole Levitical Priesthood incurred guilt, leaving the Lord no other option (see: Jer. 33:18 T) but to reduce their office to the rank of servitor. Henceforth the office of Levitical Priest would only be allowed to carry out the most menial of tasks.

Version: 2024-11-25