Proverbs 12:17 kjv

He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.

Proverbs 12:17 nkjv

He who speaks truth declares righteousness, But a false witness, deceit.

Proverbs 12:17 niv

An honest witness tells the truth, but a false witness tells lies.

Proverbs 12:17 esv

Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit.

Proverbs 12:17 nlt

An honest witness tells the truth;
a false witness tells lies.

Proverbs 12 verses

Proverbs 12 17 Meaning

Proverbs 12:17 articulates a profound contrast between integrity and deception in public testimony. It asserts that one who speaks with faithfulness and truth thereby reveals what is righteous and just. Conversely, a person who bears false witness inevitably utters deceit and treachery, leading to injustice and harm. The verse highlights the direct correlation between truthful speech and the establishment of righteousness, and between false speech and the propagation of evil. It is a foundational statement about the importance of honest communication, particularly in contexts of judgment or accountability.

Proverbs 12 17 Context

Proverbs 12 belongs to a larger collection of Solomon's proverbs (Pro 10:1-22:16) characterized by contrasting pairs that highlight the distinctions between the righteous and the wicked, and the wise and the foolish. This chapter, in particular, often contrasts behaviors and their outcomes concerning speech, labor, character, and their effects on one's life and community. Proverbs 12:17 directly follows a proverb about honest lips establishing testimony (Pro 12:16) and precedes one on how discretion saves one's reputation (Pro 12:18). It underscores the vital role of integrity in speech for a flourishing society and individual well-being. Historically and culturally, in ancient Israel, justice was frequently administered through public testimony at the city gates, making the integrity of witnesses paramount to social order and equity. False testimony was not merely a moral failing but a severe transgression that could lead to profound injustice and societal breakdown.

Proverbs 12 17 Word analysis

• Whoever speaks (יָפִיחַ - yaphiach): From the root פּוּח (puach), meaning "to breathe out," "to utter," "to express." It signifies the act of giving utterance, disclosing, or bearing witness. It implies the intentional emission of words.
• truth (אֱמוּנָה - emūnāh): More than mere fact, emūnāh denotes "faithfulness," "steadfastness," "reliability," "trustworthiness," or "veracity." When applied to speech, it signifies integrity and consistency with reality, embodying dependable truth. It connects deeply with God's own attribute of faithfulness.
• gives honest evidence / declares righteousness (יַגִּיד צֶדֶק - yaggīd tsedeq):
  • gives honest evidence / declares (יַגִּיד - yaggīd): From the root נג״ד (nagid), "to declare," "to tell," "to make known." Implies a formal or public declaration, especially pertinent in legal settings where evidence is given.
  • righteousness (צֶדֶק - tsedeq): "Rightness," "justice," "equity," "conformity to a moral standard." In a judicial context, it refers to a just verdict or true testimony. A person speaking truth necessarily establishes or brings about what is just and right.
• but (וְ - ve): A strong adversative conjunction, introducing the contrasting second half of the proverb.
• a false witness (עֵד שְׁקָרִים - ’ēd sh’qārim):
  • a witness (עֵד - ‘ēd): Someone who gives testimony, typically in a judicial setting or publicly.
  • false (שְׁקָרִים - sh’qārim): From שֶׁקֶר (sheqer), meaning "lie," "falsehood," "deception." The plural form (sh’qarim) emphasizes the pervasive nature or multiple instances of falsehood associated with such a witness.
• speaks deceit (מִרְמָה - mirmāh): From the root רָמָה (rāmah), "to cast," "to hurl," "to deceive." Mirmāh means "deceit," "fraud," "trickery," or "betrayal." A false witness is not just factually incorrect; they are actively and often maliciously misleading. Their speech is inherently deceptive in nature.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:
  • "Whoever speaks truth (יָפִיחַ אֱמוּנָה)" vs. "a false witness (וְעֵד שְׁקָרִים)": The proverb starkly contrasts the person of integrity who breathes out truthfulness (rooted in faithfulness) with the character of a witness whose very testimony is built on falsehoods. This is a contrast of foundational character expressed through speech.
  • "gives honest evidence / declares righteousness (יַגִּיד צֶדֶק)" vs. "speaks deceit (מִרְמָה)": This part highlights the outcome or consequence of their speech. Truthful speech establishes justice and righteousness in society, leading to right outcomes. Conversely, false testimony, by its very nature, is a destructive act of fraud and betrayal, designed to corrupt justice and bring harm. The verse implies that the words of the true speaker bring clarity and order, while those of the false witness bring confusion and chaos.

Proverbs 12 17 Bonus section

The strong judicial context of Proverbs 12:17 echoes throughout biblical law, where false witness was viewed with extreme gravity, being an offense against both neighbor and God (as seen in the Decalogue). The severity of the Old Testament punishment for false witness (Deut 19:16-20 – suffering the penalty intended for the falsely accused) underscores the vital importance placed on truth in testimony. The verse subtly portrays speech as an action with inherent consequences; words are not neutral but are laden with ethical implications, either contributing to order and justice or to chaos and injustice. The distinction drawn between mere factual correctness and inherent "faithfulness" in truth is significant, implying that integrity extends beyond simple facts to the very reliability and trustworthiness of the speaker's character.

Proverbs 12 17 Commentary

Proverbs 12:17 serves as a practical, yet profound, lesson on the impact of verbal testimony within a community, particularly in legal or interpersonal disputes. It delineates two absolute categories of speech and their corresponding ethical and social outcomes. On one side stands the individual whose words are infused with "emūnāh," embodying not just factual accuracy but an intrinsic reliability and faithfulness to truth. Such a person, in any act of declaration, naturally "gives honest evidence," bringing forth "tsedeq"—righteousness and justice. Their speech clears the path to equitable judgments and right living. This perspective is rooted in the character of God, who is himself faithful and just.

On the opposing side is the "false witness," whose very testimony is woven from "sh’qarim"—lies and falsehoods. The outcome of such speech is "mirmāh"—deceit, fraud, and treachery. This highlights that false witness is not merely an error but a deliberate act of deception designed to manipulate outcomes, betray trust, and inflict harm. The proverb, therefore, is not simply a moral exhortation but a societal imperative, emphasizing that the integrity of individual speech is fundamental to the justice and health of the community. In a broader sense, it teaches that the way we speak reflects our character and determines whether we contribute to righteousness or propagate deceit in the world.