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