Proverbs 19:5
A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape.
A false witness
The phrase "a false witness" refers to someone who deliberately gives untrue testimony. In the Hebrew context, the word for "false" is "שָׁקֶר" (sheqer), which means deception or lie. The term "witness" is "עֵד" (ed), indicating someone who testifies or provides evidence. In ancient Israel, the integrity of a witness was crucial for justice, as legal systems heavily relied on oral testimony. The ninth commandment, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor" (Exodus 20:16), underscores the importance of truthfulness. A false witness disrupts justice and community trust, which are foundational to a godly society.

will not go unpunished
This phrase emphasizes the certainty of divine justice. The Hebrew word for "unpunished" is "נָקָה" (naqah), meaning to be acquitted or held guiltless. The negative form here assures that those who bear false witness will face consequences. In a broader biblical context, this reflects God's nature as just and righteous. Proverbs often contrasts the fate of the wicked and the righteous, affirming that God sees all actions and will ensure justice prevails, even if it seems delayed in human terms.

and one who pours out lies
The imagery of "pours out lies" suggests an abundance and intentionality in deceit. The Hebrew verb "יָפִיחַ" (yaphiyach) means to breathe out or emit, indicating a habitual or natural tendency to lie. This phrase highlights the character of a person who is not just occasionally dishonest but consistently so. In biblical times, such a person would be seen as corrupt and dangerous, undermining social and religious order. The Bible consistently warns against deceit, as it is contrary to God's truth and character.

will not escape
The phrase "will not escape" reinforces the inevitability of judgment for those who lie. The Hebrew root "מָלַט" (malat) means to slip away or be delivered. Here, it is used in the negative, assuring that evildoers cannot evade divine retribution. This serves as both a warning and a comfort: a warning to those tempted by dishonesty and a comfort to those wronged by lies, knowing that God will ultimately uphold justice. The certainty of God's judgment is a recurring theme in Proverbs, encouraging believers to live righteously and trust in God's sovereign justice.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Solomon
Traditionally regarded as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. He compiled these sayings to impart wisdom and understanding.

2. Israel
The nation to whom the Proverbs were originally addressed. The cultural and legal context of Israel provides a backdrop for understanding the importance of truthfulness and justice.

3. False Witness
A person who gives untrue testimony, especially in a legal context. In ancient Israel, bearing false witness was a serious offense with significant consequences.

4. Judicial System in Ancient Israel
The legal system where witnesses played a crucial role in determining the outcome of cases. Truthful testimony was essential for justice.

5. God's Justice
The overarching theme of divine justice that ensures that falsehood and deceit are ultimately punished.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Truthfulness
Truthfulness is foundational to justice and community trust. As Christians, we are called to reflect God's truth in our words and actions.

Consequences of Deceit
Lies may offer temporary escape, but they lead to eventual punishment. God's justice ensures that deceit does not prevail.

Integrity in Witness
Whether in legal matters or daily interactions, maintaining integrity in our testimony is crucial. Our words should align with God's truth.

God's Sovereign Justice
Trust in God's justice, knowing that He sees all and will hold everyone accountable. This assurance should guide us to live righteously.

Repentance and Forgiveness
While deceit is serious, God's grace offers forgiveness through repentance. We should seek His mercy and strive to live truthfully.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the role of a false witness in ancient Israel compare to the importance of truthfulness in today's society?

2. What are some practical ways we can ensure our words align with God's truth in our daily lives?

3. How do the consequences of deceit, as described in Proverbs 19:5, reflect God's character and justice?

4. In what ways can we support and uphold truthfulness within our communities and churches?

5. How does understanding God's ultimate justice influence our response to witnessing deceit or falsehood in the world?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 20:16
The commandment against bearing false witness highlights the importance of truthfulness in maintaining justice and community integrity.

Proverbs 6:16-19
Lists things the Lord hates, including a lying tongue and a false witness, emphasizing the moral and spiritual implications of deceit.

Matthew 12:36-37
Jesus teaches about accountability for every word spoken, reinforcing the idea that lies will not go unpunished.

Revelation 21:8
Describes the ultimate fate of liars, connecting the temporal consequences of deceit with eternal judgment.
The Woe of the UntruthfulW. Reading, M. A.Proverbs 19:5
The Lowly and Gentle LifeE. Johnson Proverbs 19:1-7
People
Isaiah, Solomon
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
FALSE, Breather, Breatheth, Deceit, Delivered, Escape, Forth, Free, Held, Innocent, Lies, Pours, Punishment, Speaketh, Tells, Unpunished, Uttereth, Utters, Witness
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 19:5

     1461   truth, nature of
     5350   injustice, hated by God
     5625   witnesses, false
     5951   slander

Library
How the Slothful and the Hasty are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 16.) Differently to be admonished are the slothful and the hasty. For the former are to be persuaded not to lose, by putting it off, the good they have to do; but the latter are to be admonished lest, while they forestall the time of good deeds by inconsiderate haste, they change their meritorious character. To the slothful therefore it is to be intimated, that often, when we will not do at the right time what we can, before long, when we will, we cannot. For the very indolence of
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

How the Impatient and the Patient are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 10.) Differently to be admonished are the impatient and the patient. For the impatient are to be told that, while they neglect to bridle their spirit, they are hurried through many steep places of iniquity which they seek not after, inasmuch as fury drives the mind whither desire draws it not, and, when perturbed, it does, not knowing, what it afterwards grieves for when it knows. The impatient are also to be told that, when carried headlong by the impulse of emotion, they act in some
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Second Journey through Galilee - the Healing of the Leper.
A DAY and an evening such as of that Sabbath of healing in Capernaum must, with reverence be it written, have been followed by what opens the next section. [2299] To the thoughtful observer there is such unbroken harmony in the Life of Jesus, such accord of the inward and outward, as to carry instinctive conviction of the truth of its record. It was, so to speak, an inward necessity that the God-Man, when brought into contact with disease and misery, whether from physical or supernatural causes,
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Kingdom of God Conceived as the Inheritance of the Poor.
These maxims, good for a country where life is nourished by the air and the light, and this delicate communism of a band of children of God reposing in confidence on the bosom of their Father, might suit a simple sect constantly persuaded that its Utopia was about to be realized. But it is clear that they could not satisfy the whole of society. Jesus understood very soon, in fact, that the official world of his time would by no means adopt his kingdom. He took his resolution with extreme boldness.
Ernest Renan—The Life of Jesus

"Boast not Thyself of to Morrow, for Thou Knowest not what a Day May Bring Forth. "
Prov. xxvii. 1.--"Boast not thyself of to morrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." As man is naturally given to boasting and gloriation in something (for the heart cannot want some object to rest upon and take complacency in, it is framed with such a capacity of employing other things), so there is a strong inclination in man towards the time to come, he hath an immortal appetite, and an appetite of immortality; and therefore his desires usually stretch farther than the present
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

The Wrath of God
What does every sin deserve? God's wrath and curse, both in this life, and in that which is to come. Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire.' Matt 25: 41. Man having sinned, is like a favourite turned out of the king's favour, and deserves the wrath and curse of God. He deserves God's curse. Gal 3: 10. As when Christ cursed the fig-tree, it withered; so, when God curses any, he withers in his soul. Matt 21: 19. God's curse blasts wherever it comes. He deserves also God's wrath, which is
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

The Unity of God
Q-5: ARE THERE MORE GODS THAN ONE? A: There is but one only, the living and true God. That there is a God has been proved; and those that will not believe the verity of his essence, shall feel the severity of his wrath. Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord.' Deut 6:6. He is the only God.' Deut 4:49. Know therefore this day, and consider it in thy heart, that the Lord he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath, there is none else.' A just God and a Saviour; there is none beside
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Man's Misery by the Fall
Q-19: WHAT IS THE MISERY OF THAT ESTATE WHEREINTO MAN FELL? A: All mankind by their fall lost communion with God, are under his wrath and curse, and so made liable to all the miseries in this life, to death itself, and to the pains of hell for ever. 'And were by nature children of wrath.' Eph 2:2. Adam left an unhappy portion to his posterity, Sin and Misery. Having considered the first of these, original sin, we shall now advert to the misery of that state. In the first, we have seen mankind offending;
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Covenanting According to the Purposes of God.
Since every revealed purpose of God, implying that obedience to his law will be given, is a demand of that obedience, the announcement of his Covenant, as in his sovereignty decreed, claims, not less effectively than an explicit law, the fulfilment of its duties. A representation of a system of things pre-determined in order that the obligations of the Covenant might be discharged; various exhibitions of the Covenant as ordained; and a description of the children of the Covenant as predestinated
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

The Ninth Commandment
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.' Exod 20: 16. THE tongue which at first was made to be an organ of God's praise, is now become an instrument of unrighteousness. This commandment binds the tongue to its good behaviour. God has set two natural fences to keep in the tongue, the teeth and lips; and this commandment is a third fence set about it, that it should not break forth into evil. It has a prohibitory and a mandatory part: the first is set down in plain words, the other
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

The Knowledge of God
'The Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.' I Sam 2:2. Glorious things are spoken of God; he transcends our thoughts, and the praises of angels. God's glory lies chiefly in his attributes, which are the several beams by which the divine nature shines forth. Among other of his orient excellencies, this is not the least, The Lord is a God of knowledge; or as the Hebrew word is, A God of knowledges.' Through the bright mirror of his own essence, he has a full idea and cognisance
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Christian Meekness
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth Matthew 5:5 We are now got to the third step leading in the way to blessedness, Christian meekness. Blessed are the meek'. See how the Spirit of God adorns the hidden man of the heart, with multiplicity of graces! The workmanship of the Holy Ghost is not only curious, but various. It makes the heart meek, pure, peaceable etc. The graces therefore are compared to needlework, which is different and various in its flowers and colours (Psalm 45:14).
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

The Third Commandment
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain: For the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.' Exod 20: 7. This commandment has two parts: 1. A negative expressed, that we must not take God's name in vain; that is, cast any reflections and dishonour on his name. 2. An affirmative implied. That we should take care to reverence and honour his name. Of this latter I shall speak more fully, under the first petition in the Lord's Prayer, Hallowed be thy name.' I shall
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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