The term "testifiest" is an archaic form of the verb "testify," which appears in various translations of the Bible, including the King James Version. It is used to describe the act of bearing witness or giving evidence, often in a legal or formal context. In the Berean Standard Bible , the concept of testifying is integral to understanding the role of witnesses in both the Old and New Testaments.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the act of testifying is closely associated with the legal and covenantal framework of Israelite society. The Hebrew word often translated as "testify" is עוּד (ʿûd), which means to bear witness or to affirm something as true. For example, in Deuteronomy 19:15 , the law requires the testimony of two or three witnesses to establish a matter: "A lone witness is not sufficient to establish any wrongdoing or sin against a man, regardless of what offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses."

The prophets also serve as witnesses, testifying to the people about God's covenant and calling them to repentance. Isaiah 43:10 states, "You are My witnesses," declares the LORD, "and My servant whom I have chosen, so that you may consider and believe Me and understand that I am He."

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the Greek word μαρτυρέω (martyreō) is commonly used to denote the act of testifying. This term is foundational to the Christian understanding of witness, particularly in the context of the apostles and early believers who testified to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In Acts 1:8 , Jesus commissions His disciples, saying, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

The apostle John frequently uses the concept of testimony in his writings. In John 5:39 , Jesus speaks of the Scriptures testifying about Him: "You pore over the Scriptures because you presume that by them you possess eternal life. These are the very words that testify about Me."

Theological Significance

The act of testifying is deeply theological, as it involves the proclamation of truth and the affirmation of God's work in history. In the Christian tradition, believers are called to testify to the truth of the Gospel, bearing witness to the transformative power of Christ in their lives. This is seen in Revelation 12:11 , where the faithful overcome by "the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony."

The Holy Spirit also plays a crucial role in testifying. In John 15:26 , Jesus promises the coming of the Advocate: "When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father—He will testify about Me."

Practical Implications

For believers, testifying is not merely a verbal declaration but a lived experience that reflects the truth of the Gospel. It involves both the proclamation of God's Word and the demonstration of His love and righteousness through actions. The call to testify is a call to live authentically as witnesses of Christ, embodying His teachings and sharing His message with the world.

John v. 31, 32
... this way if not in these very words: [1096] "Perhaps ye will say, thou assertest
all this, but thou art not a credible witness, since thou testifiest of thyself ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xl john v 31.htm

Acts xx. 17-21
... Deuteronomy 4:26), diamarturomai, Moses says: and now Paul himself, Diamarturomenos
"both to Jews and Greeks repentance toward God." What testifiest thou? ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xliv acts xx 17-21.htm

Testifiest (2 Occurrences)
...Testifiest (2 Occurrences). John 8:13 The Pharisees therefore said to him, Thou
testifiest concerning thyself; thy testimony is not true. (WBS). ...
/t/testifiest.htm - 7k

Testifies (19 Occurrences)

/t/testifies.htm - 11k

Testifieth (13 Occurrences)

/t/testifieth.htm - 9k

Drawest (5 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 9:30 And Thou drawest over them many years, and testifiest against them
by Thy Spirit, by the hand of Thy prophets, and they have not given ear, and ...
/d/drawest.htm - 7k

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