# testimony, testify #

## Definition: ##

When a person gives “testimony” he makes a statement about something he knows, claiming that the statement is true. To “testify” is to give “testimony.”

* Often a person "testifies" about something he has experienced directly.
* 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 was 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 "tell from personal experience" 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."

(See also: [ark of the covenant](../other/arkofthecovenant.md), [prophet](../kt/prophet.md), [witness](../kt/witness.md))

## Bible References: ##

* [2 Timothy 01:8-11](rc://en/tn/help/2ti/01/08)
* [3 John 01:11-12](rc://en/tn/help/3jn/01/11)
* [Acts 04:32-33](rc://en/tn/help/act/04/32)
* [Acts 07:44-46](rc://en/tn/help/act/07/44)
* [John 03:31-33](rc://en/tn/help/jhn/03/31)
* [Mark 01:43-44](rc://en/tn/help/mrk/01/43)
* [Matthew 26:59-61](rc://en/tn/help/mat/26/59)
* [Micah 06:3-5](rc://en/tn/help/mic/06/03)
* [Revelation 12:11-12](rc://en/tn/help/rev/12/11)

## Word Data:##

* Strong's: H5713, H5715, H5749, H6030, H8584, G1263, G1957, G3140, G3141, G3142, G3143, G4303, G4828, G6020

