Proverbs 19:5 kjv

A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.

Proverbs 19:5 nkjv

A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who speaks lies will not escape.

Proverbs 19:5 niv

A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will not go free.

Proverbs 19:5 esv

A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape.

Proverbs 19:5 nlt

A false witness will not go unpunished,
nor will a liar escape.

Proverbs 19 verses

Proverbs 19 5 Meaning

Proverbs 19:5 declares the absolute certainty of divine judgment and consequence for those who bear false witness and spread deceit. No one who propagates lies, especially in a way that impacts others negatively or judicially, will evade the repercussions for their actions. Divine justice ensures that such transgressions do not go unpunished.

Proverbs 19 5 Context

Proverbs 19:5 fits within a larger collection of wisdom sayings concerning integrity, justice, and the consequences of moral choices. The book of Proverbs frequently contrasts the wise and the foolish, the righteous and the wicked, demonstrating that righteous living leads to blessing, while wickedness invariably leads to ruin. This particular verse focuses on the sanctity of truth within society and legal proceedings, echoing the Ninth Commandment against bearing false witness (Ex 20:16; Dt 5:20). In ancient Israel, witnesses played a crucial role in the justice system, and false testimony could have devastating consequences, including wrongful conviction and even death for the accused. The law prescribed a lex talionis (retribution in kind) for those who offered false witness, meaning they would suffer the punishment intended for the one they falsely accused (Dt 19:16-19). Proverbs reiterates this principle not merely as human law, but as an inherent principle of God's moral universe where lies cannot ultimately succeed or escape divine judgment.

Proverbs 19 5 Word analysis

• A false witness:

  • Hebrew: עֵד שֶׁקֶר (ʿed sheqer).
  • ʿEd means "witness," often in a legal sense, one who gives testimony.
  • Sheqer means "falsehood, deception, lie, vanity."
  • Significance: Denotes someone who gives deliberately untrue testimony, especially under oath or in a legal context, directly violating divine law and undermining justice.

• will not go unpunished:

  • Hebrew: לֹא יִנָּקֶה (lo' yinnaqeh).
  • Ninnaqeh is from the root naqah, meaning "to be clean, innocent, absolved, acquitted." The Niphal imperfect signifies a state of not being cleared or acquitted.
  • Significance: Implies certainty of accountability. The individual will not be declared innocent, nor will they escape the due penalty. Their guilt is affirmed, and punishment is inevitable. This can refer to legal penalty, societal disgrace, or divine retribution.

• and he who breathes out lies:

  • Hebrew: יָפִיחַ כְּזָבִים (yafiaḥ kezavim).
  • Yafiaḥ is from the verb puach, "to breathe, blow, utter, speak." It implies uttering or expressing.
  • Kezavim means "lies, falsehoods."
  • Significance: Expands the scope beyond formal legal testimony to any individual who regularly and deliberately speaks or spreads lies, slander, or deceptive statements. It emphasizes the active, intentional, and often continuous nature of spreading untruths, suggesting malicious intent. This covers gossip, slander, and any form of intentional deceit.

• will not escape:

  • Hebrew: לֹא יִמָּלֵט (lo' yimmalet).
  • Yimmalet is from the verb malat, meaning "to escape, be delivered, slip away."
  • Significance: Reaffirms the theme of inescapable consequence. No matter how clever or influential the liar, divine justice or the natural outworking of truth will eventually catch up with them. There is no ultimate refuge or evasion from the truth and its just repercussions.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "A false witness will not go unpunished": This part focuses on the direct violation of justice, particularly in legal or testimonial settings. It emphasizes the immediate and direct consequences for formal acts of deceit that subvert truth and endanger others.
  • "and he who breathes out lies will not escape": This broadens the application to any person who habitually, intentionally, and freely spreads falsehoods in any context, even outside of formal legal proceedings. It highlights that the consequence applies to all forms of deliberate deception, regardless of their immediate sphere of impact. Both clauses reinforce each other, providing a dual emphasis on the inevitability of retribution for different facets of dishonesty.

Proverbs 19 5 Bonus section

The Hebrew word for "false witness" (ʿed sheqer) is used consistently in the Old Testament, frequently appearing in the Decalogue (Ex 20:16; Dt 5:20) and various legal statutes (Dt 19:16, 18). This underscores the foundational nature of truth in a just society from God's perspective. The concept of God "not holding guiltless" those who misuse His name or violate His commands is seen in Ex 20:7 ("the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain"), suggesting a broader principle that applies to all breaches of truth and covenant. The Proverbs verse highlights that while human systems of justice may sometimes fail, divine justice is perfect and inescapable. The focus is on the character of God, who is light and in whom there is no darkness, meaning falsehood cannot coexist with His ultimate dominion. The Lord is referred to as "the God of truth" (Ps 31:5), reinforcing the absolute incompatibility of His nature with lies.

Proverbs 19 5 Commentary

Proverbs 19:5 serves as a solemn declaration of God's righteous order within creation. It unequivocally asserts that bearing false witness and disseminating lies are grave offenses against both God and humanity, for which there will be no impunity. The "false witness" specifically targets the perversion of justice, where truth is sacrificed for malicious intent, often with devastating effects on an innocent party. This act undermines the very foundation of communal trust and legal fairness, both vital for a stable society. The second parallel phrase, "he who breathes out lies," expands the warning beyond the courtroom to encompass all forms of deliberate deceit, calumny, and fabrication that disrupt relationships and distort reality. The Hebrew phrase "breathes out" suggests an active, uninhibited emission of lies, characteristic of one whose very words are tainted by falsehood.

The powerful double negative, "will not go unpunished" and "will not escape," provides absolute assurance of consequence. It conveys that divine justice, or the intrinsic moral order woven into the fabric of creation by God, will inevitably catch up with the offender. Such a person cannot hide, bribe, or maneuver their way out of the repercussions. This conviction of ultimate accountability fosters trust in God's sovereignty and offers a stark warning against moral complacency in areas of truthfulness. It reminds believers that upholding truth is not merely a social nicety, but a divine mandate with serious spiritual and practical implications, reflecting God's own character as one who is true and cannot lie.

• Examples for Practical Usage:
  • A student caught plagiarizing may initially think they got away with it, but later faces academic probation or loss of reputation.
  • Someone spreading false rumors about a colleague may see those rumors boomerang and damage their own credibility.
  • A person who consistently fabricates stories for personal gain may find themselves isolated as trust erodes completely.