Deuteronomy 5 20

Deuteronomy 5:20 kjv

Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbor.

Deuteronomy 5:20 nkjv

'You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

Deuteronomy 5:20 niv

"You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

Deuteronomy 5:20 esv

"'And you shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

Deuteronomy 5:20 nlt

"You must not testify falsely against your neighbor.

Deuteronomy 5 verses

Deuteronomy 5 20 Meaning

Deuteronomy 5:20, one of the Ten Commandments, unequivocally forbids giving false testimony or bearing untrue witness against one's fellow human being. This command establishes a bedrock principle for justice and societal integrity, protecting individuals from the devastating effects of deceitful accusations and promoting an environment where truth is upheld as sacred.

Deuteronomy 5 20 Context

Deuteronomy 5:20 is the eighth or ninth (depending on the counting tradition) of the Ten Commandments, reiterated by Moses to the Israelites in Moab, shortly before they entered the Promised Land. This chapter recounts the giving of the Law at Mount Horeb (Sinai), emphasizing that these commands are not just historical events but living covenant obligations for the current generation. The prohibition against false witness specifically addresses the critical importance of truth and justice within the burgeoning community. In ancient Israelite society, which lacked modern forensic methods, legal and social structures heavily relied on witness testimony. Bearing false witness could unjustly deprive an innocent person of their life, property, or reputation, thus destabilizing the very fabric of society. This command was vital for establishing a righteous judicial system and fostering trust and integrity within the covenant community, setting Israel apart from pagan cultures where deceit might be less condemned or even seen as advantageous.

Deuteronomy 5 20 Word analysis

• Neither (לֹא - lo'): This Hebrew particle expresses a strong and absolute negation, signifying "no," "not," or "thou shalt not." It indicates an unequivocal and uncompromised divine command, making the prohibited action completely forbidden.

• shall you bear (תַעֲנֶה - ta'aneh): From the verbal root `anah (עָנָה), meaning "to answer," "to testify," or "to give witness." In this specific context, it refers to actively providing information or making a declaration, particularly in a formal or public setting, often implying a legal or authoritative statement.

• false (שֶׁקֶר - shaqer): This noun signifies "falsehood," "deceit," "a lie," or anything that is contrary to truth. It encompasses deliberate misrepresentation or uttering what is known to be untrue.

• witness (עֵד - ed): Refers to both the person who testifies or provides evidence and the testimony itself. In the legal and social framework of ancient Israel, the integrity of a ed was paramount for establishing facts and rendering justice.

• against (בְּ - be): This preposition functions here to indicate opposition or direction, meaning "against," "concerning," or "in reference to." It highlights that the false testimony is directed at and harmful to another person.

• your neighbor (רֵעֶךָ - re'ekha): The word re'a (רֵעַ) denotes a "friend," "companion," "fellow," or "neighbor." While often referring to a fellow Israelite, it generally signifies any person in one's immediate community or even broader human interaction. The command's scope extends to protect the rights and reputation of all individuals with whom one shares social space.

• Word-group analysis:

  • "Neither shall you bear false witness": This phrase precisely defines the prohibited action: the deliberate act of providing testimony that is untrue. The strength of "lo'" ("neither") emphasizes the severe gravity of this offense. It applies most directly to legal settings, such as courtrooms, where one's testimony could determine an individual's fate, but extends conceptually to any instance where a person's spoken words are intentionally deceptive and used to mislead concerning another.
  • "against your neighbor": This specifies the direct victim of the prohibited act. The command underscores the communal aspect of the law, designed to maintain integrity and justice within society. It signifies that harming a re'a ("neighbor") through deceitful speech is an offense against both human justice and the divine order, as all members of the covenant community are under God's protection. The term "neighbor" expands the ethical scope beyond one's immediate family or tribe to encompass all fellow humans within one's sphere of influence.

Deuteronomy 5 20 Bonus section

• The gravity of "false witness" in ancient Israel can be seen in historical narratives, such as the false accusations brought against Naboth, leading to his unjust execution (1 Ki 21:8-13), demonstrating how deeply embedded the danger was.
• This commandment establishes the legal principle that judicial outcomes should be based on accurate and verifiable facts, not on malicious fabrication. It underpins the call for multiple witnesses to establish truth (Deut 19:15).
• The concept extends to an inward disposition: not merely avoiding external lying, but cultivating a heart that desires and loves truth, detesting deception (Prov 12:22). This spiritual dimension ensures that truthfulness springs from inner conviction, not just external compliance.

Deuteronomy 5 20 Commentary

The commandment "Neither shall you bear false witness against your neighbor" stands as a cornerstone for maintaining truth, justice, and social cohesion within God's covenant people. More than a simple prohibition against lying, it specifically targets the use of deceptive speech to unjustly harm another, whether in formal legal proceedings (perjury) or in the broader societal sphere through slander, libel, and gossip. In an ancient society where reputations and legal outcomes were heavily dependent on oral testimony, this command was crucial for protecting an individual's life, property, and good name from malicious lies.

At its core, this commandment reflects the very character of God, who is truth and justice personified. Violating it is not merely a social infraction but an offense against the divine standard. The Old Testament details severe penalties for false witnesses, underscoring the gravity of intentionally misrepresenting facts to another's detriment (e.g., suffering the same punishment that the innocent party would have faced, as per Deut 19).

Beyond the courtroom, this command cultivates an ethos of integrity and trustworthiness in all interpersonal communication. It calls for responsible stewardship of the tongue, recognizing the immense power of words to build up or tear down, to foster trust or sow discord. In its broadest application, it demands that believers "put away falsehood" and "speak the truth with his neighbor" (Eph 4:25), recognizing that genuine community and spiritual health flourish only where truth prevails and malicious speech is rooted out. Practical application includes: refraining from spreading unverified rumors, resisting the urge to embellish or twist facts for personal gain or to harm another, and actively upholding the good name of one's fellow man even in casual conversation.