a false witness who gives false testimony, and one who stirs up discord among brothers. a false witnessThe term "false witness" in Hebrew is "עֵד שֶׁקֶר" (ed sheker). In the ancient context, a witness held a crucial role in the judicial system, where testimonies could determine life or death. The ninth commandment, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor" ( Exodus 20:16), underscores the gravity of truthfulness. A false witness not only perverts justice but also undermines the societal fabric by eroding trust. In a spiritual sense, this phrase warns against the dangers of deceit and the moral decay it brings. who gives false testimony
The act of giving "false testimony" is a deliberate act of lying or misrepresentation. The Hebrew word "יָפִיחַ" (yafiah) implies breathing out or uttering, suggesting an intentional and active role in spreading falsehoods. Historically, false testimony could lead to wrongful punishment or societal chaos. Biblically, it is seen as an affront to God's nature, as God is truth (John 14:6). This phrase serves as a reminder of the importance of integrity and the destructive power of lies. and one who stirs up discord
The phrase "stirs up discord" comes from the Hebrew "מְשַׁלֵּחַ מְדָנִים" (meshalach medanim). The verb "מְשַׁלֵּחַ" (meshalach) means to send out or let loose, indicating an active effort to incite conflict. Discord, or "מְדָנִים" (medanim), refers to strife or contention. In the biblical context, unity among God's people is highly valued (Psalm 133:1). This phrase highlights the destructive nature of sowing division, which can fracture communities and families, contrary to the call for peace and reconciliation. among brothers
The term "brothers" in Hebrew is "בֵּין אַחִים" (bein achim), which can refer to literal siblings or, more broadly, members of a community or nation. The familial language emphasizes the closeness and inherent bond that should exist among people of faith. Historically, the unity of the Israelite tribes was crucial for their survival and prosperity. In the New Testament, believers are called to love one another as brothers and sisters in Christ (1 John 4:21). This phrase serves as a poignant reminder of the call to foster harmony and love within the Christian community, reflecting the unity of the body of Christ. Persons / Places / Events 1. False WitnessThis refers to an individual who deliberately lies or provides misleading information, especially in a legal or communal setting. In the context of ancient Israel, bearing false witness was a serious offense, as it could lead to unjust outcomes and disrupt community harmony. 2. BrothersThis term can be understood both literally, as in siblings, and metaphorically, as members of a community or faith group. The emphasis is on the relational aspect and the potential for discord within close-knit groups. 3. DiscordThe act of creating conflict or division among people who are meant to be united. In the Hebrew context, this was particularly damaging to the social fabric of the community. Teaching Points The Importance of TruthfulnessTruth is foundational to trust and justice. As Christians, we are called to uphold truth in all our dealings, reflecting God's nature. The Destructive Power of LiesLies can cause significant harm, not only to individuals but to entire communities. We must be vigilant against falsehoods and seek to correct them. Promoting Unity and PeaceDiscord among believers is contrary to the unity Christ desires for His church. We should strive to be peacemakers, fostering reconciliation and understanding. Guarding Our SpeechOur words have the power to build up or tear down. We must be mindful of how we speak about others, ensuring our words promote love and unity. Accountability in CommunityAs part of a faith community, we have a responsibility to hold each other accountable, encouraging truthfulness and discouraging divisive behavior. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the prohibition against bearing false witness in Exodus 20:16 relate to the warning in Proverbs 6:19? 2. In what ways can we actively promote peace and unity within our communities, in light of Matthew 5:9? 3. Reflect on a time when false testimony or gossip caused discord in a group you were part of. How was the situation resolved, and what role did truth play in the resolution? 4. How can we guard our speech to ensure we are not inadvertently causing division among our brothers and sisters in Christ? 5. What practical steps can we take to hold each other accountable in truthfulness and unity within our church or community group? Connections to Other Scriptures Exodus 20:16This verse is part of the Ten Commandments, which explicitly prohibits bearing false witness. It underscores the importance of truthfulness in maintaining justice and community integrity. James 3:5-6These verses discuss the power of the tongue and how it can cause great harm, similar to how a false witness can stir up discord. Matthew 5:9Jesus blesses peacemakers, highlighting the value of fostering harmony rather than discord, contrasting with the actions condemned in Proverbs 6:19. People SolomonPlaces JerusalemTopics FALSE, Breathe, Breathes, Breatheth, Breathing, Brethren, Brothers, Contentions, Discord, Discords, Dissension, Forth, Lets, Lies, Loose, Pours, Sending, Soweth, Sows, Speaketh, Spreads, Stirs, Strife, Untrue, Uttereth, Utters, Violent, WitnessDictionary of Bible Themes Proverbs 6:12-19 8736 evil, warnings against Proverbs 6:16-19 1656 numbers, combinations
6025 sin, and God's character Library The Talking Book
A Sermon (No. 1017) Delivered on Lord's Day Morning, October 22nd, 1871 at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington, by C. H. Spurgeon. "When thou awakest, it shall talk with thee."--Proverbs 6:22. It is a very happy circumstance when the commandment of our father and the law of our mother are also the commandment of God and the law of the Lord. Happy are they who have a double force to draw them to the right--the bonds of nature, and the cords of grace. They sin with a vengeance who sin both against …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on ProverbsAn Appeal to Children of Godly Parents
A sermon (No. 2406) intended for reading on Lord's Day, March 31st, 1895, delivered by C. H. Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington, on Lord's Day evening, March 27th, 1887. "My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother: Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck. When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. For the commandment is a lamp; and the law …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs The Talking Book
In order that we may be persuaded so to do, Solomon gives us three telling reasons. He says that God's law, by which I understand the whole run of Scripture, and, especially the gospel of Jesus Christ, will be a guide to us:--"When thou goest, it shall lead thee." It will be a guardian to us: "When thou sleepest"--when thou art defenceless and off thy guard--"it shall keep thee." And it shall also be a dear companion to us: "When thou awakest, it shall talk with thee." Any one of these three arguments …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 17: 1871 How Sowers of Strifes and Peacemakers are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 24.) Differently to be admonished are sowers of strifes and peacemakers. For sowers of strifes are to be admonished to perceive whose followers they are. For of the apostate angel it is written, when tares had been sown among the good crop, An enemy hath done this (Matth. xiii. 28). Of a member of him also it is said through Solomon, An apostate person, an unprofitable man, walketh with a perverse mouth, he winketh with his eyes, he beateth with his foot, he speaketh with his finger, …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great A Jealous God
I. Reverently, let us remember that THE LORD IS EXCEEDINGLY JEALOUS OF HIS DEITY. Our text is coupled with the command--"Thou shalt worship no other God." When the law was thundered from Sinai, the second commandment received force from the divine jealousy--"Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in the heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 9: 1863 How Subjects and Prelates are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 5.) Differently to be admonished are subjects and prelates: the former that subjection crush them not, the latter that superior place elate them not: the former that they fail not to fulfil what is commanded them, the latter that they command not more to be fulfilled than is just: the former that they submit humbly, the latter that they preside temperately. For this, which may be understood also figuratively, is said to the former, Children, obey your parents in the Lord: but to …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great The Preface to the Commandments
And God spake all these words, saying, I am the LORD thy God,' &c. Exod 20: 1, 2. What is the preface to the Ten Commandments? The preface to the Ten Commandments is, I am the Lord thy God.' The preface to the preface is, God spake all these words, saying,' &c. This is like the sounding of a trumpet before a solemn proclamation. Other parts of the Bible are said to be uttered by the mouth of the holy prophets (Luke 1: 70), but here God spake in his own person. How are we to understand that, God spake, …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments "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 Heavenly Footman; Or, a Description of the Man that Gets to Heaven:
TOGETHER WITH THE WAY HE RUNS IN, THE MARKS HE GOES BY; ALSO, SOME DIRECTIONS HOW TO RUN SO AS TO OBTAIN. 'And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain: escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.'--Genesis 19:17. London: Printed for John Marshall, at the Bible in Gracechurch Street, 1698. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. About forty years ago a gentleman, in whose company I had commenced my …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 In Death and after Death
A sadder picture could scarcely be drawn than that of the dying Rabbi Jochanan ben Saccai, that "light of Israel" immediately before and after the destruction of the Temple, and for two years the president of the Sanhedrim. We read in the Talmud (Ber. 28 b) that, when his disciples came to see him on his death-bed, he burst into tears. To their astonished inquiry why he, "the light of Israel, the right pillar of the Temple, and its mighty hammer," betrayed such signs of fear, he replied: "If I were …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life "And Watch unto Prayer. "
1 Pet. iv. 7.--"And watch unto prayer." "Watch." A Christian should watch. A Christian is a watchman by office. This duty of watchfulness is frequently commanded and commended in scripture, Matt. xxiv. 42, Mark xiii. 33, 1 Cor. xvi. 13, Eph. vi. 18, 1 Pet. v. 8, Col. iv. 2; Luke xii. 37. David did wait as they that did watch for the morning light. The ministers of the gospel are styled watchmen in scripture and every Christian should be to himself as a minister is to his flock, he should watch over …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning 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 Links Proverbs 6:19 NIVProverbs 6:19 NLTProverbs 6:19 ESVProverbs 6:19 NASBProverbs 6:19 KJV
Proverbs 6:19 Commentaries
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