Proverbs 12:19 kjv

The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

Proverbs 12:19 nkjv

The truthful lip shall be established forever, But a lying tongue is but for a moment.

Proverbs 12:19 niv

Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.

Proverbs 12:19 esv

Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

Proverbs 12:19 nlt

Truthful words stand the test of time,
but lies are soon exposed.

Proverbs 12 verses

Proverbs 12 19 Meaning

Proverbs 12:19 declares the fundamental and contrasting destinies of truth and falsehood. The "lip of truth" – speech that embodies integrity, faithfulness, and divine reality – is portrayed as having an eternal foundation and lasting impact. It stands firm and endures perpetually because it aligns with the very nature of God. Conversely, "a lying tongue" – speech characterized by deceit, falsehood, and untruth – is depicted as utterly transient and unstable. Lies possess no inherent stability and are inherently exposed or collapse quickly, their existence being only "for a moment" or a fleeting instance. The verse teaches that integrity in communication leads to lasting establishment, while dishonesty inevitably leads to swift exposure and dissolution.

Proverbs 12 19 Context

Proverbs Chapter 12 stands as a part of the "proverbs of Solomon" (Pro 10:1-22:16), characterized by its rich use of antithetical parallelism where two contrasting lines are placed side-by-side. This chapter largely focuses on the practical differences between the righteous and the wicked, highlighting their respective behaviors, motivations, and ultimate outcomes. Verses within this chapter cover themes such as the fruit of righteousness, diligence versus laziness, the power of words, and the contrasting ends of those who live by truth versus those who practice deceit. Proverbs 12:19 is central to this discourse on speech and character, presenting a direct comparison of the durability and impact of truth versus falsehood. In the ancient Near Eastern context, where oral communication was primary, the spoken word carried immense weight, shaping social standing, legal outcomes, and personal reputation. Wisdom literature like Proverbs often critiques deceptive speech as fundamentally destructive to social fabric and individual flourishing, grounding its condemnation in a moral order established by the Divine. Polemically, it opposes any cultural practice that would encourage or normalize dishonest rhetoric, contrasting it with a divine order where only that which is firm and true can endure.

Proverbs 12 19 Word analysis

• The lip (שְׂפַת - səp̄aṯ): This Hebrew term denotes not just the physical lip, but broadly, "speech," "language," or "utterance." It signifies the faculty of speaking and the content expressed.
• of truth (אֱמֶת - ’ĕmeṯ): A foundational concept in biblical thought, ’ĕmeṯ conveys truth, reliability, firmness, faithfulness, and consistency. It implies something that is trustworthy, established, and accords with reality as God has ordained it. It is contrasted sharply with falsehood (šeqer). The "lip of truth" thus represents communication characterized by integrity, dependability, and alignment with divine reality.
• will be established (תִּכּוֹן - tikkôn): Derived from the verb kun (כּוּן), meaning "to be firm," "to stand upright," "to be prepared," or "to endure." The Hophal conjugation used here indicates a passive sense: "will be made firm," or "will be rendered stable." This signifies permanence and divine backing, implying that truth, like God Himself, has an enduring foundation.
• forever (לָעַד - lāʿaḏ): This adverb expresses eternity, perpetuity, unending duration, and everlastingness. When combined with "established," it strongly emphasizes the inherent and eternal endurance of truth, drawing a parallel with God's own everlasting nature.
• but a lying (שֶׁקֶר - šeqer): Refers to falsehood, deceit, emptiness, or fraud. It stands in direct antithesis to ’ĕmeṯ. This is speech designed to mislead, manipulate, or misrepresent reality.
• tongue (לְשׁוֹן - ləšôn): Like "lip," this refers to the organ of speech, symbolizing communication or expression. "A lying tongue" is the instrument or agent of falsehood.
• is but for a moment (עַד עֶמְדֵי־צֶף - ʿaḏ ʿeṁdəy-ṣep̄): This phrase is idiomatic and has been subject to various interpretations.
  • ʿaḏ: means "until," "up to," or "as far as."
  • ʿeṁdəy: from the verb ʿamad, "to stand" or "to endure." Here in a construct state, possibly "the standing of."
  • ṣep̄: is the difficult word. It can mean a "gulp" or "vomit," implying that lies are quickly expelled or become repulsive and are purged. Alternatively, it can mean a "moment," "a fleeting glance," or "an instant," highlighting brevity and instability. The Septuagint and most modern translations favor the meaning of transience or a short duration. The essence is that lies lack substance and therefore cannot last; they are inherently unstable and subject to rapid exposure or collapse.
• The lip of truth will be established forever: This phrase highlights that truth has inherent stability and divine endorsement, ensuring its perpetual existence and influence. It is not something temporary or dependent on human caprice. Its foundation is as enduring as God Himself.
• but a lying tongue is but for a moment: This phrase underscores the inherent ephemerality and self-defeating nature of falsehood. Lies lack any substantial foundation and are destined to collapse, be exposed, or evaporate quickly, revealing their emptiness and often causing harm to the one who propagates them.

Proverbs 12 19 Bonus section

The proverb's insight into the enduring nature of truth and the fleetingness of lies carries significant implications beyond personal ethics. It reflects a theological understanding of God as absolute truth (Tit 1:2; Heb 6:18), whose Word and covenant promises are eternally binding and reliable. Therefore, any human utterance that aligns with this divine truth partakes in its enduring quality. Conversely, lies originate not from God but from spiritual darkness (Jn 8:44), lacking the divine essence that provides stability and permanence. The ephemeral nature of lies suggests their inherent emptiness and eventual exposure, whether through the natural course of events, the divine judgment, or the light of God's Word. This dynamic of truth enduring and lies failing is also a principle for effective witness; the enduring impact of a life lived truthfully will far outlast any fleeting persuasive tactics based on deception. In the realm of spiritual warfare, lies are the primary weapon of the enemy, but their power is always temporary, ultimately to be defeated by the sword of truth (Eph 6:14-17).

Proverbs 12 19 Commentary

Proverbs 12:19 concisely encapsulates a fundamental moral and spiritual truth: the ultimate triumph and durability of integrity over deceit. The proverb employs classic antithetical parallelism, common in wisdom literature, to starkly contrast two paths and their inevitable outcomes. The "lip of truth" signifies speech and character rooted in honesty, reliability, and fidelity. Its "establishment forever" is not merely a statement about its temporal duration but about its unshakeable foundation, derived from the very character of God, who is truth and faithful. This implies that truthful communication builds lasting relationships, solid reputations, and endures the test of time and scrutiny.

In contrast, "a lying tongue" embodies deceit, manipulation, and unfaithfulness. Its existence "for a moment" speaks to its inherent fragility and instability. Lies, by their nature, are built on illusion and contradiction; they cannot withstand exposure to light or the scrutiny of time. Sooner or later, truth will emerge, and the lie will unravel, leaving behind only the consequences of its deception. This teaches that dishonesty offers only fleeting advantages, often leading to shame, broken trust, and ultimate ruin. Practically, this proverb encourages believers to cultivate integrity in all their speech, recognizing that their words bear eternal weight. It also serves as a warning against being swayed by temporary falsehoods, assuring that true principles will always prevail.