Proverbs 21:28 kjv

A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.

Proverbs 21:28 nkjv

A false witness shall perish, But the man who hears him will speak endlessly.

Proverbs 21:28 niv

A false witness will perish, but a careful listener will testify successfully.

Proverbs 21:28 esv

A false witness will perish, but the word of a man who hears will endure.

Proverbs 21:28 nlt

A false witness will be cut off,
but a credible witness will be allowed to speak.

Proverbs 21 verses

Proverbs 21 28 Meaning

Proverbs 21:28 declares a foundational truth concerning the nature and consequences of speech, particularly in the realm of testimony and truth. It states that a false witness, one who speaks lies, will face destruction or ruin, indicating that falsehood leads to its own undoing. In stark contrast, the words or testimony of an attentive and truthful listener—one who has accurately perceived and genuinely understood—will endure and be established. This verse highlights the enduring power and lasting impact of truth over the fleeting and self-destructive nature of deceit.

Proverbs 21 28 Context

Proverbs Chapter 21, like much of the book, consists of independent, pithy wisdom sayings. These proverbs often draw sharp contrasts, presenting two paths—righteousness and wickedness—and their corresponding outcomes. The chapter broadly covers themes of justice, the conduct of leaders, the Lord's sovereignty over human plans, the value of hard work, the nature of a contentious woman, the importance of integrity in business, and the folly of pride. Proverbs 21:28 specifically fits into the broader discourse on justice and righteous living, emphasizing the legal and social implications of truthful or deceitful testimony. In ancient Israel, the courtroom (often at the city gate) was a central place for administering justice, and witnesses played a crucial role. False testimony was a severe offense, punishable by the very penalty the accused would have received if convicted, highlighting the gravity of this proverb's warning.

Proverbs 21 28 Word analysis

• A false witness (עֵד כָּזָב, ‘ēḏ kāzāḇ):
  • עֵד (‘ēḏ): Means "witness," often in a legal context. Someone who gives testimony to a fact or event.
  • כָּזָב (kāzāḇ): Means "lie," "falsehood," "deceit."
  • Significance: A person who deliberately provides untrue information or testimony, particularly under oath. This act strikes at the heart of justice and communal trust in ancient Israelite society, which was highly dependent on verbal agreements and testimony. It was explicitly forbidden in the Decalogue (Ex 20:16).
• will perish (יֹאבֵד, yo'ḇēḏ):
  • From the root אָבַד ('āḇaḏ): "to perish," "be lost," "be destroyed," "be ruined."
  • Significance: It's more than just physical death. It signifies a complete ruin, a loss of standing, effectiveness, or future. A false witness’s credibility is destroyed, and often their life or prosperity too, whether by divine judgment or societal repercussions as seen in Deut 19:19, where the false witness suffers the intended penalty for the falsely accused. Their testimony comes to nothing; it is lost.
• but the words of an attentive listener (וְדִבְרֵי שׁוֹמֵעַ, wəḏiḇrê šômēa‘):
  • וְדִבְרֵי (wəḏiḇrê): "and the words of" or "and the utterances of." Refers to what is spoken or declared.
  • שׁוֹמֵעַ (šômēa‘): Present participle of שָׁמַע (šāma‘), meaning "to hear," "to listen," "to obey," "to understand."
  • Significance: In contrast to the false witness, this refers to a person whose words are reliable because they are based on careful and accurate observation ("attentive listener") or because they align with truth learned through wisdom or divine instruction ("one who hears and obeys"). In the legal context, it implies one whose testimony is precise and accurate due to having heard or observed carefully. In a broader sense, it highlights the lasting power of words rooted in truth and discernment. Some interpretations translate it as "truthful witness" which also captures the essence here.
• will endure. (יִקָּמוּ, yiqqāmū):
  • From the root קוּם (qûm): "to rise," "to stand," "to be established," "to endure."
  • Significance: The words of such a person are not temporary or easily dismissed. They stand the test of time, proving to be true and reliable. In a legal sense, their testimony will be upheld and establish justice. Spiritually, words spoken in truth and wisdom, especially those aligned with God's word, have a lasting and formative impact. This contrasts directly with the fleeting and destructive nature of lies.
• "A false witness will perish, but the words of an attentive listener will endure."
  • This phrase uses parallelism, a common poetic device in Proverbs, to starkly contrast two opposing principles and their consequences. It presents a divine moral economy where deceit leads to destruction, and truthfulness leads to stability and lasting influence.
  • The structure underscores God's providential oversight of justice: what seems fleeting (truth) is eternal, and what seems to gain advantage (falsehood) will utterly fail. It emphasizes that reality is ultimately shaped by truth, not deception.

Proverbs 21 28 Bonus section

The concept of "perishing" for the false witness also reflects the principle of lex talionis (Deut 19:19) where the false witness would suffer the penalty he intended for the accused, effectively perishing in their place. This legal safeguard reinforced the extreme societal abhorrence of perjury. Furthermore, the enduring nature of truth in this verse can be spiritually extended to the enduring nature of God's Word. While human words may come and go, those spoken by one who is attuned to divine truth (an ultimate 'attentive listener' to God) will always bear eternal weight and lasting impact. This proverb, like many in the wisdom literature, grounds practical ethics in the underlying order established by God, where righteousness (truth) leads to life and enduring blessing, and wickedness (falsehood) leads to destruction.

Proverbs 21 28 Commentary

Proverbs 21:28 delivers a profound moral lesson, particularly relevant to justice and personal integrity. It asserts that deceit, personified by the "false witness," is inherently self-destructive. Lies, by their nature, lack a foundation in reality and inevitably lead to exposure and ruin for the one who utters them. This "perishing" can encompass judicial punishment, social disgrace, or divine judgment, signifying the complete nullification of their purpose. Conversely, the "words of an attentive listener" (or truthful witness) possess an enduring quality. These are words born from careful perception, honesty, and perhaps even obedience to wisdom. Such truth-based testimony or counsel stands firm, proving reliable and beneficial. The verse, therefore, promotes radical honesty and accuracy in speech, affirming that truth, however humble its origin, ultimately prevails and outlasts falsehood.