Deuteronomy 17:7

7 The witnesses must be the first to throw stones at the person, and then everyone else will follow. You must get rid of the evil among you.

Deuteronomy 17:7 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 17:7

The hands of the witnesses shall be first upon him to put him
to death
Of everyone of them, as Aben Ezra; they were to cast the first stone at him, which would be a further trial and confirmation of their testimony; for if they readily and without reluctance first began the stoning of the idolater, it would not only show their zeal for the honour of the divine Being, but an unconsciousness of guilt in their testimony, and be an encouragement to others to proceed with safety:

and afterwards the hands of all the people;
should be employed in taking up stones, and casting at him until he was dead:

so thou shall put the evil away from among you;
both the evil man and the evil committed by him, which by this means would be prevented from spreading, seeing by his death others would be deterred from following his example; as well as the evil of punishment, which otherwise would have come upon the nation, had they connived at so gross an iniquity.

Deuteronomy 17:7 In-Context

5 take the man or woman who has done the evil thing to the city gates and throw stones at that person until he dies.

6 There must be two or three witnesses that it is true before the person is put to death; if there is only one witness, the person should not be put to death.

7 The witnesses must be the first to throw stones at the person, and then everyone else will follow. You must get rid of the evil among you.

8 Some cases that come before you, such as murder, quarreling, or attack, may be too difficult to judge. Take these cases to the place the Lord your God will choose.

9 Go to the priests who are Levites and to the judge who is on duty at that time. Ask them about the case, and they will decide.