Original Word: עֵד
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: `ed
Pronunciation: āyd
Phonetic Spelling: (ayd)
KJV: witness
NASB: witness, witnesses, evidence
Word Origin: [contracted from H5749 (עוּד - To bear witness)]

1. concretely, a witness
2. abstractly, testimony
3. specifically, a recorder, i.e. prince

witness

Contracted from uwd; concretely, a witness; abstractly, testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e. Prince -- witness.

see HEBREW uwd

Word Origin
from ud
Definition
a witness
NASB Translation
evidence (1), witness (45), witnesses (23).

עֵד₆₉ noun masculine^{Deuteronomy 17:6} witness (probably from reiterating, hence emphatically affirming); — ׳ע absolute Genesis 31:48 +, construct Exodus 20:16 +; suffix עֵדִי Job 16:19; plural עֵדִים Numbers 35:30 +, construct עֵדֵי Psalm 27:12; Psalm 35:11; suffix עֵדַי Isaiah 43:10,12, etc.; —

1 witness, testimony, evidence, of things: heap of stones Genesis 31:44,48,52 (JE), torn animal Exodus 22:12 (E), song of Moses Deuteronomy 31:19,21 (J), law-book Deuteronomy 31:26 (D), witness of ׳י against Israel; altar east of Jordan, with בֵּין, Joshua 22:27,28,34 (P), compare Isaiah 19:20; Job's evil condition Job 16:8; the moon Psalm 89:38.

2 witness, a person:

a. God, in heaven for Job Job 16:19; on earth, for Samuel 1 Samuel 12:5 (twice in verse) + 1 Samuel 12:6 ᵐ5 Th and most, Jeremiah Jeremiah 42:5; see also 1 Samuel 20:12 (insert עֵד before ׳י ᵑ6 Dr Bu Kit Löhr HPS); against persons Jeremiah 29:23; Malachi 3:5, nations Micah 1:2; between (בֵּין persons Genesis 31:50 (E).

b. Davidic dyn., to nations Isaiah 55:4.

c. witnesses, of transfer of property Jeremiah 32:10,12,25,44, betrothal Ruth 4:9,10,11; usually of testimony in court, and in civil and social relations, with בְּ against, Numbers 5:13; Joshua 24:22; 1 Samuel 12:5 +, with קום rise up against Psalm 27:12; Psalm 35:11; עָנָה עֵד שֶׁקֶר בְּ answer (in court) as a false witness against Exodus 20:16 = עֵד שָׁוְא Deuteronomy 5:17; Proverbs 25:18; לְפִי עֵדִים Numbers 35:30 (P); עַלמִּֿי עֵדִ(יםׅ Deuteronomy 17:6 (twice in verse) at the mouth of witnesses, so Deuteronomy 19:15 (twice in verse). — False witness is שֶׁקֶר ׳ע Exodus 20:16; Deuteronomy 19:18 (twice in verse); Psalm 27:12; Proverbs 6:19; Proverbs 14:5; שְׁקָרִים ׳ע Proverbs 12:17; Proverbs 19:5,9; כְּזָבִים ׳ע Proverbs 21:28; חִנָּם ׳ע Proverbs 24:28; בְּלִיַּעַל ׳ע Proverbs 19:28; חָמָס ׳ע witness of (i.e. supporting) violence Exodus 23:1 (E) Deuteronomy 19:16; Psalm 35:11. Faithful witness is אֱמוּנִים ׳ע Proverbs 14:5; אֱמֶת ׳ע Jeremiah 42:5; Proverbs 14:25.

Overview of Biblical Usage

עֵד appears about seventy times in the Hebrew Scriptures, always centering on the idea of attestation—someone or something that secures the certainty of truth. The noun is used for persons, objects, divine declarations, and covenantal signs that stand in court, in covenant ceremonies, or in prophetic or poetic affirmations.

Witness in Covenant Relations

• Genesis 31:44-52 shows the word in a family treaty: “The pile is a witness between you and me this day” (Genesis 31:48). The stone heap protects both parties by memorializing their vows.
• Deuteronomy 31:19-26 makes the Song of Moses a witness safeguarding Israel’s future obedience.
• Joshua 24:27 places a monumental stone at Shechem: “This stone… shall be a witness against us, for it has heard all the words that the LORD has spoken to us.” Covenant renewal is anchored by a tangible reminder that cannot forget.

Judicial Witness and Legal Proceedings

The Decalogue’s ninth word—“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” (Exodus 20:16)—puts עֵד at the heart of Israel’s jurisprudence. Deuteronomy 19:15 demands two or three witnesses, protecting the accused from a single malicious voice. Judges, elders at the city gate, and prophets all depend upon reliable testimony to administer justice (Ruth 4:9-11; 1 Kings 21:10-13; Isaiah 8:2).

Objects as Witnesses: Stones, Altars, Scrolls, and Creation

• Altars can testify (Joshua 22:27-28).
• Scrolls retain covenant stipulations (Jeremiah 32:10-12).
• Heaven and earth are summoned as cosmic witnesses (Deuteronomy 4:26; 30:19; Psalm 89:37), reminding Israel that every promise or breach reverberates through creation.

Divine Witness

God often assumes the role Himself:
• “The LORD is witness against you” (1 Samuel 12:5).
• “May the LORD be a true and faithful witness against us” (Jeremiah 42:5).

He alone sees motives, making His testimony final and unassailable.

Prophetic and Messianic Dimensions

Isaiah declares, “I have made Him a witness to the nations” (Isaiah 55:4), anticipating a Davidic figure whose very person authenticates God’s covenant love. This points forward to the New Testament portrayal of Jesus Christ as “the faithful and true witness” (Revelation 3:14), the ultimate embodiment of עֵד.

Ethical Imperatives: Truthfulness Versus False Witness

Proverbs contrasts outcomes:
• “A truthful witness saves lives” (Proverbs 14:25).
• “A false witness will perish” (Proverbs 21:28).

Malachi 3:5 warns that the LORD will be “a swift witness against” liars, showing that bearing false witness invites divine judgment.

Implications for Ministry and Discipleship

1. Reliability of Scripture: Every occurrence of עֵד reaffirms that God preserves an accurate record of His dealings; believers can trust the biblical testimony.
2. Personal Integrity: Followers of Christ are called to mirror God’s truthfulness—speaking and living as dependable witnesses (Acts 1:8 extends the same principle into Christian mission).
3. Corporate Memory: Churches benefit from visible reminders—ordinances, communion tables, baptismal waters—that parallel Israel’s stones and songs, keeping the gospel central.
4. Evangelistic Mandate: As Isaiah envisioned a witness to the nations, the church now carries that role, proclaiming Christ’s finished work with the same seriousness that Old Testament law required in court.

Key Occurrences for Study

Genesis 31:44-52; Exodus 20:16; Deuteronomy 19:15; 31:19-26; Joshua 22:27-28; 24:27; 1 Samuel 12:5; 2 Samuel 1:16; Job 16:19; Psalm 89:37; Isaiah 55:4; Jeremiah 29:23; 42:5; Malachi 3:5.

Summary

עֵד anchors the biblical conviction that truth can and must be verified. Whether through human testimony, enduring monuments, or the very character of God, Scripture presents a universe in which every word matters and every pledge is overseen by a faithful Witness.

הָֽעֵדִ֔ים הָעֵ֔ד הָעֵדִ֞ים העד העדים וְעֵ֖ד וְעֵ֣ד וְעֵ֤ד וְעֵ֥ד וְעֵד֙ וְעֵדֵיהֶ֣ם וָעֵ֖ד וּלְעֵ֛ד ולעד ועד ועדיהם לְעֵ֔ד לְעֵ֖ד לְעֵ֣ד לְעֵֽד׃ לָעַ֖ד לעד לעד׃ עֵ֑ד עֵ֔ד עֵ֖ד עֵ֚ד עֵ֛ד עֵ֣ד עֵ֥ד עֵ֧ד עֵ֨ד עֵֽדֵי־ עֵֽדֵיהֶם֙ עֵֽד־ עֵֽד׃ עֵדִ֑י עֵדִ֑ים עֵדִ֔ים עֵדִ֖ים עֵדִ֗ים עֵדִ֤ים עֵדִ֥ים עֵדִֽים׃ עֵדִים֒ עֵדֵ֣י עֵדֶ֨יךָ ׀ עֵדַ֛י עֵדַי֙ עֵדָ֑י עֵד־ עד עד־ עד׃ עדי עדיהם עדיך עדים עדים׃ עדיש־ ‘ê·ḏay ‘ê·ḏāy ‘ê·ḏê ‘ê·ḏê·hem ‘ê·ḏe·ḵā ‘ê·ḏê·še- ‘ê·ḏî ‘ê·ḏîm ‘êḏ ‘êḏ- ‘êḏay ‘êḏāy ‘êḏê ‘êḏêhem ‘êḏeḵā ‘êḏêše- ‘êḏî ‘êḏîm ed eDai eDei eDeicha edeiHem edeiShe eDi eDim hā‘êḏ hā‘êḏîm hā·‘ê·ḏîm hā·‘êḏ haEd haeDim lā‘aḏ lā·‘aḏ laAd lə‘êḏ lə·‘êḏ leEd ū·lə·‘êḏ ūlə‘êḏ uleEd vaEd veEd veedeiHem wā‘êḏ wā·‘êḏ wə‘êḏ wə‘êḏêhem wə·‘ê·ḏê·hem wə·‘êḏInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts