Testimony
עֵדוּת (eduth)
A solemn witness declaration — God's revealed truth preserved as evidence for all generations.
Eduth is the Hebrew word for testimony, meaning a solemn witness or attestation. It refers to God's laws as His testimony to truth, and to the ark of the testimony that housed the tablets of the covenant.
"The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple." — Psalm 19:7 (KJV)
Key Verses
Revelation 12:11
“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony.”Read in context
Psalm 119:2
“Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.”Read in context
Strong's Concordance
Strong's H5715 — Testimony (עֵדוּת (eduth))
Browse the full lexicon entry and every KJV verse where עֵדוּת (eduth) appears.
Open Strong's H5715Etymology and Original Meaning
Eduth comes from the root ud, meaning 'to witness' or 'to testify.' It describes a solemn declaration of truth — evidence presented as reliable witness. God's commandments are called His 'testimonies' because they bear witness to His character, His will, and His covenant requirements. The ark of the covenant was called the 'ark of the testimony' because it contained the tablets — God's written witness.
God's Law as Testimony
The psalmist celebrates, 'The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple' (Psalm 19:7). God's laws are His testimony — His public, permanent witness to truth. They are 'sure' — reliable, trustworthy, unfailing. They make 'wise the simple' — transforming the naive into the discerning. Scripture as testimony means it is evidence submitted by God Himself about reality.
Personal Testimony
Revelation 12:11 reveals that believers overcome Satan 'by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony.' Personal testimony — declaring what God has done in one's life — is a spiritual weapon. It combines objective truth (Christ's blood) with subjective experience (personal witness). Every believer's story of God's faithfulness is evidence that strengthens faith and defeats the accuser.
Keeping the Testimonies
Psalm 119 repeatedly blesses those who 'keep his testimonies' — who take God's witness seriously and live accordingly. Keeping testimonies is not mere rule-following but treasure-guarding: 'Thy testimonies are my delight' (Psalm 119:24). Those who keep God's testimonies treat His revealed truth as precious, authoritative, and life-directing — the foundation for every decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does testimony mean in the Bible?
Testimony (eduth) is a solemn witness declaration — God's revealed truth preserved as evidence. It refers to God's laws, the covenant tablets, and the personal witness of believers declaring what God has done.
Why is personal testimony important?
Personal testimony is a spiritual weapon (Revelation 12:11). Declaring what God has done combines objective truth with personal experience, strengthening faith, encouraging others, and defeating the accuser's lies.
Which Bible verse uses the word "Testimony"?
Psalm 19:7 — "The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple" (KJV). It also appears in Revelation 12:11, Psalm 119:2.
Why does the Hebrew word behind "Testimony" matter?
Eduth comes from the root ud, meaning 'to witness' or 'to testify.' It describes a solemn declaration of truth — evidence presented as reliable witness. English uses one word, "Testimony", where the Hebrew עֵדוּת (eduth) carries the fuller sense: a solemn witness declaration — god's revealed truth preserved as evidence for all generations.
Related Words
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
Testimony (עֵדוּת (eduth))
A solemn witness declaration — God's revealed truth preserved as evidence for all generations.
Strong's H5715 — Testimony
עֵדוּת (eduth) • A solemn witness declaration — God's revealed truth preserved as evidence for all generations.
Biblical Meaning of Angels in a Dream (KJV)
God's messengers — protection, direction, or warning.
Biblical Meaning of Blood in a Dream (KJV)
Life, atonement, and covenant with God.
Hebrews 4:12 — Meaning & Devotional
God's Word
Hebrews 4:12 — Meaning & Devotional
God's Word
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