Proverbs 26 19

Proverbs 26:19 kjv

So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?

Proverbs 26:19 nkjv

Is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, "I was only joking!"

Proverbs 26:19 niv

is one who deceives their neighbor and says, "I was only joking!"

Proverbs 26:19 esv

is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, "I am only joking!"

Proverbs 26:19 nlt

is someone who lies to a friend
and then says, "I was only joking."

Proverbs 26 verses

Proverbs 26 19 Meaning

Proverbs 26:19 depicts a person who intentionally deceives a neighbor and then trivializes the harmful act by claiming it was merely a joke. This verse exposes the malice behind such feigned humor, comparing the perpetrator's actions to the reckless and destructive behavior of a madman launching deadly weapons. It underscores that such "joking" is not harmless amusement but a deliberate betrayal that inflicts real damage and demonstrates a severe lack of moral accountability.

Proverbs 26 19 Context

Proverbs chapter 26 largely focuses on the foolish, lazy, and quarrelsome person, using vivid comparisons and admonitions. Verses 18-19 form a crucial couplet, presenting a singular analogy. Verse 18 likens a "madman" (or maniac) to one who "throws firebrands, arrows, and death." Verse 19 completes this thought, stating that so is the one who "deceives his neighbor and says, 'I was only joking!'" This immediate literary context highlights the grave destructive impact of such "jesting," equating it to dangerous weaponry and violent insanity. Historically, in ancient Israel, communal trust and reputation were paramount. Deception, especially against a "neighbor" (which includes any fellow citizen), severely undermined the social fabric and went against the Law's emphasis on truthfulness and love for one's neighbor. The verse also serves as a polemic against superficiality and lack of accountability, promoting a deep understanding of the moral weight of one's words and intentions.

Proverbs 26 19 Word analysis

• So is (כֵּן הוא - kēn hû): This phrase links directly back to the preceding verse (Proverbs 26:18), creating a powerful analogy. It indicates a direct comparison: "just as that is, so is this."
• the man (אִישׁ - ʾîš): Refers to a person, typically a male, but in wisdom literature, it broadly applies to anyone who embodies the described characteristic.
• who deceives (מְרַמֶּה - mᵉramme): From the Hebrew root rāmāh (רָמָה), meaning to beguile, betray, defraud, or mislead deliberately. It implies a calculated and intentional act of trickery, not accidental misunderstanding.
• his neighbor (רֵעֵהוּ - rēʿēhû): From reaʿ (רֵעַ), meaning friend, companion, fellow, or anyone with whom one has a social relationship. This broad term emphasizes that the deception is against someone within one's community, amplifying the betrayal of trust.
• and says (וְאָמַר - wᵉʾāmar): A simple conjunction "and" followed by the verb "to say," introducing the perpetrator's dismissive response.
• I was only joking! / Am not I in sport? (הֲלֹא־שַׂחַק אָנִי - hălōʾ-śaḥaq ʾānî):
• הֲלֹא (hălōʾ): An interrogative particle, meaning "is it not?" or "surely?" This implies a rhetorical question, anticipating an obvious "yes" and thus seeking to justify or excuse the action.
• שַׂחַק (śaḥaq): Means to laugh, play, make sport, mock. While it can mean genuine amusement, in this context, it is twisted into an excuse for harmful behavior, effectively dismissing serious wrongdoing as trivial play.
• אָנִי (ʾānî): The pronoun "I," emphasizing the perpetrator's self-centered attempt to absolve themselves.
• Words-Group Analysis:
• "deceives his neighbor": This phrase highlights a breach of communal trust and an act of malice against a fellow human being. It's a deliberate undermining of relationship.
• "and says, 'I was only joking!'": This complete phrase captures the core message. It reveals the perpetrator's utter lack of accountability and their use of humor as a cynical smokescreen to avoid responsibility for real harm. This response attempts to rationalize hurtful deceit, turning a serious transgression into an innocent pastime.

Proverbs 26 19 Bonus section

The close link between Proverbs 26:18 and 19 is essential for a full understanding. Verse 18 provides the destructive imagery ("madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death"), and verse 19 explicitly identifies the person "who deceives his neighbor and says, 'I was only joking!'" as that type of madman. This connection emphasizes that intentional deceit, even if rationalized as a joke, carries the same destructive force and moral recklessness as physical violence. The focus is not on genuine jest or harmless pranks, but on using "joking" as a deceptive shield for deliberate malice and irresponsibility. The verse strongly rebukes those who minimize their sin, particularly when it directly impacts another person negatively. It teaches us to discern not just the words spoken, but the underlying intention and the impact on the recipient.

Proverbs 26 19 Commentary

Proverbs 26:19 is a profound warning against trivializing harm, especially when inflicted under the guise of humor. The verse’s stark analogy, building on the image of a "madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death" (from the immediately preceding v.18), profoundly illustrates the destructive nature of malicious deception cloaked as a joke. Such an act is not merely thoughtless; it stems from a callous heart that deliberately exploits trust, causes pain, and then refuses to bear responsibility. This "joke" breaks relational bonds, damages reputation, and often inflicts lasting emotional wounds, much like physical weaponry. True humor seeks to build up and foster joy, but the "humor" described here is corrosive, demonstrating a perverted understanding of human interaction and moral culpability. It underscores that God values truthfulness and integrity, and calls believers to righteous speech that edifies rather than harms.