Proverbs 19:28 kjv

An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.

Proverbs 19:28 nkjv

A disreputable witness scorns justice, And the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.

Proverbs 19:28 niv

A corrupt witness mocks at justice, and the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil.

Proverbs 19:28 esv

A worthless witness mocks at justice, and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.

Proverbs 19:28 nlt

A corrupt witness makes a mockery of justice;
the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil.

Proverbs 19 verses

Proverbs 19 28 Meaning

Proverbs 19:28 conveys a stark warning about the character and actions of the wicked in relation to truth and justice. It states that an ungodly or corrupt witness openly disdains and ridicules the very concept of righteousness and fair judgment. Furthermore, it asserts that the words and intentions of wicked people are deeply saturated with evil, so much so that they consume and are consumed by iniquity, using their speech to perpetrate and spread it. This verse highlights the profound moral corruption that manifests in deceitful testimony and malicious communication.

Proverbs 19 28 Context

Proverbs 19 is a diverse collection of proverbs contrasting wisdom with foolishness, righteousness with wickedness, and the diligent with the lazy, often emphasizing the consequences of each path. Verse 28 specifically focuses on the legal sphere and the broader impact of the wicked's character on truth. In ancient Israelite society, where formal court systems were evolving, much rested on oral testimony. A "witness" (עֵד, ed) held significant power to determine innocence or guilt. Therefore, the integrity of a witness was paramount, and false testimony was seen as a direct attack on truth, justice, and the very fabric of society. This proverb warns against those who not only lie but do so with scorn for what is right, demonstrating a deep moral decay where evil is not merely uttered but fully embraced.

Proverbs 19 28 Word analysis

• An ungodly witness (עֵד בְּלִיַּעַל, ed beliyaʿal):
  • ed (witness): Refers to someone giving testimony, especially in a legal or judicial setting.
  • beliyaʿal (ungodly, worthless, wicked): This term denotes extreme wickedness, worthlessness, or mischief. It’s often used in the Old Testament to describe individuals of truly vile character, sometimes translated as "sons of Belial." Here, it points to a witness whose very character is infused with wickedness, making their testimony inherently corrupt. Their testimony is not merely mistaken but is fundamentally antithetical to truth.
• scorns (יָלִיץ, yalits):
  • yalits (to mock, scorn, deride, scoff at): This strong verb indicates open contempt and ridicule. It suggests that the wicked witness does not just passively disregard justice but actively holds it in disdain, perhaps even enjoying its perversion. It implies an aggressive rejection of righteousness.
• justice (מִשְׁפָּט, mishpat):
  • mishpat (justice, judgment, right, ordinance): This term refers to both the act of judging justly and the just standard or right itself. It encompasses fairness, righteousness, and the established moral and legal order. The ungodly witness despises this entire system.
• and the mouth of the wicked (וּפִי רְשָׁעִים, u-phi reshaʿim):
  • u-phi (and the mouth of): Highlights the instrument of speech and communication. The mouth is often depicted in Proverbs as either a fount of wisdom or a conduit for folly and wickedness.
  • reshaʿim (wicked ones): Plural of rasha', referring to those who are morally evil, guilty, and alienated from God's ways. This extends the scope beyond a specific legal setting to the general character of wicked individuals.
• devoureth (יְבַלַּע, yevallaʿ):
  • yevallaʿ (to swallow, engulf, gulp down, consume): This vivid metaphor implies not just speaking evil but having a voracious appetite for it. The wicked person's mouth doesn't just utter evil, it consumes it, ingests it, internalizes it, making iniquity a part of their very being and expressing it voluminously. It speaks of a habitual, insatiable craving for corruption.
• iniquity (אָוֶן, awen):
  • awen (iniquity, wickedness, evil, mischief, trouble, vanity): A broad term for evil, specifically in its active, hurtful, or misleading form. It can refer to idolatry, crime, or malicious acts. When the mouth devours awen, it means that their speech is filled with active harm, deceit, or mischief.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "An ungodly witness scorns justice": This phrase introduces a profound moral failing in the legal system. It's not just that the witness lies, but their very nature (being beliyaʿal) is opposed to justice (mishpat), and they mock it with contempt (yalits). This goes beyond mere error; it's a deliberate, hateful rejection of what is right and fair, exposing a deep perversion of character.
• "and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity": This second part uses a striking image to portray the wicked's intrinsic relationship with evil. The mouth, the source of words, is shown to consume iniquity (awen). This isn't passive; it signifies that their speech is saturated with, consumed by, and perpetuates evil. It suggests a constant craving for and output of moral corruption, making deceit and harm a fundamental part of their communication and character. The parallelism reinforces the idea that corruption of testimony is but one manifestation of a thoroughly wicked being.

Proverbs 19 28 Bonus section

The strong verb "devoureth" (יְבַלַּע, yevallaʿ) found here is also used in other biblical contexts for overwhelming or destroying, such as a large fish swallowing Jonah (Jonah 1:17) or the earth swallowing Dathan and Abiram (Num 16:30). Its use here vividly portrays the insatiable appetite the wicked have for corruption, showing that evil isn't merely spoken by them, but is thoroughly incorporated into their being, manifesting outwardly through their speech and actions. This makes the wicked not just conveyors of iniquity, but embodiments of it, whose very words consume and propagate its destructive influence.

Proverbs 19 28 Commentary

Proverbs 19:28 offers a dual portrayal of the wicked, specifically concerning their words and their impact on society. Firstly, the "ungodly witness" represents a foundational threat to any just order. Such an individual, whose character is utterly corrupt, treats justice not just with disregard but with open scorn. This contempt stems from an inherent opposition to truth and righteousness, transforming what should be a pillar of society—the giving of testimony—into an instrument of chaos and mockery. Secondly, the verse expands on this by declaring that "the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity." This vivid imagery depicts a voracious appetite for evil. It's not merely that wicked people speak lies, but their entire communication is saturated with malevolence, deceit, and harmful intent. Their words are not incidental but an outpouring of their internal depravity, a continuous absorption and expulsion of wickedness. The verse emphasizes that a heart estranged from God's truth inevitably produces speech that actively undermines truth and justice, serving only to promote evil and consume what is good. The practical usage is a caution for discernment in whom to trust, especially concerning weighty matters, and a reminder for believers to cleanse their own hearts lest their words become a conduit for destructive lies.