# testimony, testify

## Definition

The terms "testimony" and "testify" refer to making a statement about something that one knows to be true. Often a person testifies about something he has experienced directly.

* The phrase "give testimony" often refers to a witness in a court case who states what happened.
* A witness who gives "false testimony" does not tell the truth about what happened.
* Sometimes the term "testimony" refers to a prophecy that a prophet has stated.
* In the New Testament, this term is often used to refer to how Jesus' followers testified about the events of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection.


## Translation Suggestions



* The term "testify" or "give testimony" could also be translated as, "tell the facts" or "tell what was seen or heard" or "give evidence" or "tell what happened."
* Ways to translate "testimony" could include, "report of what happened" or "statement of what is true" or "evidence" or "what has been said" or "prophecy."
* The phrase, "as a testimony to them" could be translated as, "to show them what is true" or "to prove to them what is true."
* The phrase, "as a testimony against them" could be translated as, "which will show them their sin" or "exposing their hypocrisy" or "which will prove that they are wrong."
* To "give false testimony" could be translated as "say false things about" or "state things that are not true about someone."
* When it refers to the the commandments that testify to God's covenant relationship, "testimony" could be translated as, "commands, which testify that Yahweh is God" or "evidence."
* The term "ark of the testimony" could be translated as, "ark containing God's covenant commands."