Exodus 20:16

KJV

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thou shalt not bear {H6030} false {H8267} witness {H5707} against thy neighbour {H7453}.

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

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Exodus 20:16, the ninth commandment of the Decalogue, unequivocally prohibits bearing false witness against one's neighbor. This divine injunction establishes the foundational importance of truthfulness, particularly within judicial contexts where perjured testimony could unjustly harm an individual's life, liberty, or reputation. Beyond the courtroom, it extends to all forms of speech that could damage another, underscoring God's demand for integrity, justice, and love within the community.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This commandment is situated within the second tablet of the Ten Commandments, following those that delineate humanity's relationship with God (Exodus 20:1-11) and the command to honor parents (Exodus 20:12). The subsequent commands (Exodus 20:13-17) address horizontal relationships within the Israelite community, focusing on the sanctity of life, marriage, property, and, in this verse, reputation and truth. As the ninth commandment, it directly precedes the prohibition against coveting (Exodus 20:17), forming a comprehensive ethical framework that guards against both outward acts of transgression and the inward desires that fuel them. Its placement highlights the critical role of truthful speech in maintaining social order and justice, serving as a bulwark against the perversion of the legal system and the erosion of trust.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, a person's reputation and standing within the community were paramount, often tied to their family's honor and their ability to participate fully in social and economic life. Legal proceedings frequently relied on oral testimony, and there was no formal police force or investigative body as we know it today. Therefore, the integrity of witnesses was crucial for the administration of justice. A false witness could lead to severe consequences, including the loss of property, freedom, or even life (as seen in the case of Naboth in [1 Kings 21](/1_kings/21 "1 Kings 21 - Naboth's Vineyard")). This commandment primarily addresses perjury in a court of law, where a person's testimony could determine the fate of another. However, the term "neighbor" (`rea'`) extends its scope beyond formal legal settings to encompass any member of the community, emphasizing a broader ethical responsibility to uphold truth and protect the good name of all. The command thus served as a vital safeguard against slander, gossip, and any speech that unjustly harmed another, reflecting God's concern for a just and orderly society where individuals could live securely and with dignity.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **bear false witness (Hebrew, _'anah sheqer'_):** The Hebrew phrase עָנָה שֶׁקֶר (`'anah sheqer`) literally means "to answer with falsehood" or "to testify with a lie." `Anah` (עָנָה) carries the sense of responding, testifying, or giving evidence, particularly in a formal or judicial context. `Sheqer` (שֶׁקֶר) denotes falsehood, deceit, or a lie. Together, they specifically target perjured testimony in a legal setting, where one's words could have life-altering consequences for the accused. This is not merely a prohibition against lying in general, but against a specific, grave form of deceit that undermines justice and harms the innocent.
* **neighbour (Hebrew, _rea'_):** The Hebrew term רֵעַ (`rea'`) is broader than just someone living next door. It refers to a fellow human being, a companion, friend, associate, or even a stranger with whom one interacts. In the context of the Decalogue, it encompasses any member of the covenant community and, by extension, any person whose well-being and rights are to be respected. This broad scope indicates that the commandment's principle extends beyond the courtroom to all interpersonal interactions, demanding truthfulness in all dealings that affect another person's reputation, livelihood, or standing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou shalt not bear false witness":** This initial clause establishes a clear and absolute prohibition. The negative imperative "Thou shalt not" (לֹא תַעֲנֶה) underscores the seriousness of the command. "Bearing false witness" refers specifically to giving testimony that is untrue, misleading, or fabricated, particularly in a judicial or public setting. It is an act of deliberate deception intended to harm or mislead.
* **"against thy neighbour":** This specifies the target of the false witness. The "neighbor" (`rea'`) is any fellow human being, emphasizing that the harm inflicted by false testimony is directed at another person. This highlights the relational and ethical dimension of the commandment, connecting it to the broader principle of love for one's neighbor and the protection of their inherent dignity and rights within the community.

#### Literary Devices
Exodus 20:16 employs several significant literary devices. The primary device is **Prohibition**, expressed through the negative imperative "Thou shalt not," which is characteristic of the Decalogue's apodictic law. This direct, unconditional command emphasizes the absolute and universal nature of the prohibition against false testimony. The verse also utilizes **Legal Language**, reflecting its origin as part of a divine covenant code intended to govern the legal and ethical life of Israel. The specific phrase "bear false witness" is a technical term for perjury, highlighting the judicial context. Furthermore, the commandment functions as an **Ethical Imperative**, establishing a moral standard for speech that extends beyond formal legal settings. By protecting the "neighbor," it implicitly promotes **Social Justice** and the maintenance of a trustworthy community, where individuals can rely on the integrity of others' words.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This commandment is deeply rooted in the character of God Himself, who is truth (Deuteronomy 32:4; John 14:6) and cannot lie (Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18). Therefore, bearing false witness is not merely a social transgression but an offense against God's very nature. It directly undermines justice, which is a core attribute of God's reign, and violates the principle of loving one's neighbor as oneself (Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 22:39). The command highlights the power of words, recognizing their capacity to build up or tear down, to establish justice or pervert it. It calls God's people to reflect His truthfulness in all their interactions, fostering a community built on integrity and trust.

* [Proverbs 19:9](/proverbs/19-9 "Proverbs 19:9 - A false witness will not go unpunished")
* [Zechariah 8:16](/zechariah/8-16 "Zechariah 8:16 - Speak the truth to one another")
* [Ephesians 4:25](/ephesians/4-25 "Ephesians 4:25 - Put away falsehood and speak truth")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The prohibition against bearing false witness remains profoundly relevant in our contemporary world, extending far beyond the literal courtroom. It challenges us to cultivate a radical commitment to truthfulness in every sphere of life. In an age saturated with information, where misinformation and disinformation spread rapidly through digital platforms, this commandment calls us to be discerning stewards of our words, verifying facts before sharing, and refusing to participate in the propagation of rumors or slander. It compels us to consider the impact of our speech on others, recognizing that our words have the power to build up or tear down, to foster trust or sow discord. Living out this commandment means actively protecting the reputation of our neighbor, speaking up for justice, and embodying integrity in our personal, professional, and public lives, reflecting the character of the God who is truth.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I be bearing "false witness" in my daily life, even subtly (e.g., through gossip, exaggeration, or withholding truth)?**
* **How does the digital age, with its rapid spread of information, challenge or amplify the importance of this commandment?**
* **What steps can I take to ensure my words consistently build up and protect the reputation of my neighbor, rather than tearing them down?**

### FAQ
**Does "false witness" only refer to lying in court, or does it apply more broadly?**

Answer: While the primary context of "bearing false witness" in ancient Israel was indeed a judicial one, referring to perjury that could unjustly harm an individual, the spirit of the commandment extends much more broadly. The Hebrew word for "neighbor" (`rea'`) encompasses any fellow human being, suggesting that the principle applies to all forms of speech that unjustly damage another person's reputation, character, or standing. This includes slander, libel, gossip, spreading rumors, or any deliberate misrepresentation that harms an individual, whether in personal conversations, professional dealings, or public discourse. Jesus Himself emphasized that our words reflect the condition of our hearts (see [Matthew 12:34-37](/matthew/12-34 "Matthew 12:34-37 - The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him")), indicating that God's concern is for truthfulness in all our interactions.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Exodus 20:16 finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the embodiment of Truth itself. He declared, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")), demonstrating a perfect, unwavering commitment to truth in every word and deed. Unlike humanity, who often bears false witness, Jesus bore true witness to the Father's character and kingdom, even when it led to His suffering and death. Ironically, Jesus, the innocent Lamb of God, was Himself condemned on the basis of false witness (as depicted in [Matthew 26:59-60](/matthew/26-59 "Matthew 26:59-60 - False witnesses against Jesus")), highlighting the profound injustice that this commandment seeks to prevent. His willingness to endure such injustice, rather than retaliate with falsehood, perfectly exemplifies the spirit of truth and love for neighbor. Furthermore, Jesus taught His followers to let their "yes be yes and their no be no" ([Matthew 5:37](/matthew/5-37 "Matthew 5:37 - Let your 'yes' be 'yes'")), calling them to a standard of integrity that transcends mere legalistic adherence to the commandment. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Christ not only perfectly fulfilled the law's demand for truthfulness but also empowers believers by His Spirit to live lives of integrity, speaking truth in love ([Ephesians 4:15](/ephesians/4-15 "Ephesians 4:15 - Speaking the truth in love")) and building up the body of Christ rather than tearing it down with falsehood.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Proverbs 19:5

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

Matthew 19:18

He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,

Psalms 15:3

[He that] backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.

Matthew 26:59

Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against Jesus, to put him to death;

Matthew 26:60

But found none: yea, though many false witnesses came, [yet] found they none. At the last came two false witnesses,

Deuteronomy 19:15

One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.

Deuteronomy 19:21

And thine eye shall not pity; [but] life [shall go] for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.