Deuteronomy 5:20

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbour.

Complete Jewish Bible:

"'Do not give false evidence against your neighbor.

Berean Standard Bible:

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

American Standard Version:

Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbor.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Neither shalt thou bear^{H6030} false^{H7723} witness^{H5707} against thy neighbour^{H7453}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Deuteronomy 5:20

Deuteronomy 5:20 is part of the second giving of the Ten Commandments in the book of Deuteronomy, which is the fifth book of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Hebrew Bible). The verse is a restatement of the ninth commandment, which is also found in Exodus 20:16. The commandment prohibits bearing false witness against one's neighbor.

Themes:
1. **Truthfulness**: This commandment emphasizes the importance of honesty and integrity in personal and communal life. It underscores the ethical principle that truth should guide interactions within the community.
2. **Justice**: By prohibiting false testimony, the commandment seeks to protect individuals from unjust accusations and to uphold fairness within the legal system. It acknowledges the power of words and the potential damage of lies in a judicial context.
3. **Community Relationships**: The commandment highlights the value of each member of the community and the responsibility to maintain the trust and respect necessary for social cohesion.
4. **Moral Integrity**: It reflects the broader theme of personal morality and the cultivation of a character that embodies righteousness in speech and action.

Historical Context:
The book of Deuteronomy is presented as a series of speeches by Moses to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land after forty years of wandering in the wilderness. The historical context is the covenant renewal at the end of the Exodus journey, where Moses reiterates the law to ensure that the new generation understands and commits to the covenant that God established with their ancestors.

During this period, Israelite society was transitioning from a nomadic lifestyle to a more settled, agricultural existence in Canaan. The laws, including the prohibition against bearing false witness, were meant to shape the social, religious, and ethical fabric of the nation as they established themselves in the land.

The commandment reflects the ancient Near Eastern legal tradition, where the integrity of witness testimony was crucial for justice. However, it goes beyond mere legalism to promote a culture of truthfulness that permeates all aspects of life, reflecting the holistic approach to law and ethics in biblical tradition.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H6030
   There are 317 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָנָה
   Transliteration: ʻânâh
   Pronunciation: aw-naw'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify, announce; give account, afflict (by mistake for עָנָה), (cause to, give) answer, bring low (by mistake for עָנָה), cry, hear, Leannoth, lift up, say, [idiom] scholar, (give a) shout, sing (together by course), speak, testify, utter, (bear) witness. See also בֵּית עֲנוֹת, בֵּית עֲנָת.
   
2. Strong's Number: H7723
   There are 48 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁוְא
   Transliteration: shâvᵉʼ
   Pronunciation: shawv
   Description: or שַׁו; from the same as שׁוֹא in the sense of desolating; evil (as destructive), literally (ruin) or morally (especially guile); figuratively idolatry (as false, subjective), uselessness (as deceptive, objective; also adverbially, in vain); false(-ly), lie, lying, vain, vanity.
   
3. Strong's Number: H5707
   There are 59 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֵד
   Transliteration: ʻêd
   Pronunciation: ayd
   Description: contracted from עוּד; concretely, a witness; abstractly, testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e. prince; witness.
   
4. Strong's Number: H7453
   There are 173 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רֵעַ
   Transliteration: rêaʻ
   Pronunciation: ray'-ah
   Description: or רֵיעַ; from רָעָה; an associate (more or less close); brother, companion, fellow, friend, husband, lover, neighbour, [idiom] (an-) other.