Those who heard someone curse against God had to lay their hands on his head. This act showed their innocence by symbolically transferring the guilt (see Leviticus 16:21). It also showed their willingness to take responsibility for the person's death. A single witness was not enough to sentence someone to death (see Numbers 35:30; Deuteronomy 17:2–7; Matthew 18:16; 2 Corinthians 13:1; 1 Timothy 5:19; Hebrews 10:28).