TRV
- English
- King James KJV
- Complete Jewish CJB
- World English WEBM
- Berean Standard BSB
- American Standard ASV
- Geneva GNV
- Young's Literal YLT
- Douay-Rheims DRC
- International
- Shqip ALB
- العربية SVD
- বাংলা BN-IRV
- မြန်မာ Judson
- 简体文 CUV-S
- 繁體中文 CUV-T
- Čeština BKR
- Nederlands STVE
- Français LSG
- Deutsch SCH
- Ελληνικά Vamvas
- ગુજરાતી GU-IRV
- Hausa HCB
- עברית Hebrew
- हिन्दी HCV
- Magyar KAROLI
- Bahasa Indonesia INDO-TB
- Italiano Diodati
- 日本語 Kougo
- 한국어 Korean
- മലയാളം MAL
- मराठी MRCV
- Norsk DNB
- فارسی OPV
- Polski BG
- Português Almeida
- Română Cornilescu
- Русский Synodal
- Español RVG
- Kiswahili Neno
- Svenska SV1917
- Tagalog TAG-ADB
- தமிழ் TCV
- తెలుగు TSA
- ภาษาไทย THAI-KJV
- Українська Ohienko
- Tiếng Việt CADMAN
- Yorùbá YCB
Study this verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Proverbs 19:5.
Here we have, 1. The sins threatened - bearing false witness in judgment and speaking lies in common conversation. Men could not arrive at such a pitch of impiety as to bear false witness (where to the guilt of a lie is added that of perjury and injury) if they had not advanced to it by allowing themselves to speak untruths in jest and banter, or under pretence of doing good. Thus men teach their tongues to speak lies, Jer 9:5. Those that will take a liberty to tell lies in discourse are in a fair way to be guilty of the greater wickedness of false-witness-bearing, whenever they are tempted to it, though they seemed to detest it. Those that can swallow a false word debauch their consciences, so that a false oath will not choke them. 2. The threatening itself: They shall not go unpunished; they shall not escape. This intimates that that which emboldens them in the sin is the hope of impunity, it being a sin which commonly escapes punishment from men, though the law is strict, Deu 19:18, Deu 19:19. But it shall not escape the righteous judgment of God, who is jealous, and will not suffer his name to be profaned; we know where all liars will have their everlasting portion.
Historical interpretation
Three Centuries of Reception
2 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
There are true martyrs and false ones, because there are true and false witnesses. But Scripture says, “The false witness shall not go unpunished.” If the false witness will not escape punishment, neither will the true witness be denied a crown. And it was, indeed, easy to bear witness to the Lord Jesus Christ and the truth, because he is God; but to do so to the death, that was a great work.
A false witness will not go unpunished, etc. He reproved him who only followed words of knowledge without the efficacy of operation; now he reproves him who corrupts the very words of divine authority by misinterpretation. But that many things are often repeated indicates firmness, as Joseph interpreting the dream of the king said: Because the word of God is established, and it will be done quickly (Gen. . . .).
Continue studying Proverbs 19:5 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
Summary
Proverbs 19:5 delivers an unequivocal declaration regarding the certain and unavoidable consequences awaiting those who engage in deceit, particularly in the context of legal testimony. This proverb underscores the foundational principle of divine justice, asserting that both the specific act of bearing false witness and the broader act of speaking lies will inevitably meet with judgment, from which there is no escape. It serves as a stark warning against dishonesty and a powerful affirmation of truth's ultimate vindication.
Context
Literary Context
Proverbs 19 is part of the larger collection of Solomonic proverbs (chapters 10-22:16), which primarily consists of two-line sayings offering practical wisdom for righteous living. This chapter, in particular, frequently addresses themes of justice, wisdom versus folly, the consequences of actions, and the character of God. Verses immediately preceding and following Proverbs 19:5 often deal with related concepts: Proverbs 19:3 speaks of a person's folly ruining their way, while Proverbs 19:6 discusses the desire for favor from rulers. The proverb's placement within this chapter emphasizes the practical outworking of wisdom in maintaining social order and personal integrity, highlighting how deceit undermines both.
Historical & Cultural Context
In ancient Israelite society, the legal system relied heavily on witness testimony. Bearing false witness was not merely a moral failing but a grave offense with severe societal repercussions, directly violating the Ninth Commandment. Such an act could lead to the wrongful conviction or acquittal of individuals, the perversion of justice, and the breakdown of community trust. The Mosaic Law prescribed strict penalties for false witnesses, sometimes even mandating that they suffer the very punishment they intended for the accused (see Deuteronomy 19:16-21). This cultural backdrop underscores the gravity of the proverb's warning, as it speaks to both human and divine accountability for such destructive behavior.
Key Themes
Proverbs 19:5 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes found throughout the book of Proverbs. It reinforces the theme of Divine Justice, asserting that God is a righteous judge who ensures that wrongdoing, especially deliberate deception, does not go unpunished. This aligns with the broader biblical teaching that God detests lies and those who speak them, as seen in Proverbs 12:22. The verse also highlights the Gravity of Lies, emphasizing that falsehoods are not trivial but carry significant destructive power, capable of harming individuals and corrupting society. Finally, it speaks to the Unavoidability of Consequences, a recurring motif in Proverbs, which consistently teaches that actions have inherent outcomes, and those who choose the path of deceit cannot ultimately evade the repercussions of their choices, whether in this life or in the ultimate divine judgment.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
From שָׁקַר; an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial); without a cause, deceit(-ful), false(-hood, -ly), feignedly, liar, [phrase] lie, lying, vain (thing), wrongfully. This term denotes not merely an error, but a deliberate fabrication or untruth, often with malicious intent, particularly in a legal context where it refers to perjured testimony. It signifies a fundamental opposition to truth and reality.
A primitive root; to be (or make) clean (literally or figuratively); by implication (in an adverse sense) to be bare, i.e. extirpated; acquit [idiom] at all, [idiom] altogether, be blameless, cleanse, (be) clear(-ing), cut off, be desolate, be free, be (hold) guiltless, be (hold) innocent, [idiom] by no means, be quit, be (leave) unpunished, [idiom] utterly, [idiom] wholly. In this context, the negative "shall not be unpunished" emphatically means that the person will certainly not be acquitted or declared innocent; they will face the deserved penalty. It conveys the absolute certainty of accountability.
A primitive root; properly, to be smooth, i.e. (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth young, emit sparks; deliver (self), escape, lay, leap out, let alone, let go, preserve, save, [idiom] speedily, [idiom] surely. This word conveys the idea of slipping away from danger or punishment, or being delivered from a perilous situation. The phrase "shall not escape" powerfully asserts the impossibility of evading the consequences of one's lies, implying an inescapable divine or human judgment.
Verse Breakdown
"A false witness shall not be unpunished"
This initial clause establishes the specific context of legal or judicial deception. A "false witness" is someone who deliberately testifies falsely, intending to pervert justice and condemn the innocent or acquit the guilty. The phrase "shall not be unpunished" employs a strong double negative (a litotes) to emphatically declare that such a person will certainly face punishment. They will not be acquitted or allowed to go free; accountability for their perjury is guaranteed, reflecting both human legal consequences and divine judgment.
"and he that speaketh lies shall not escape"
This second clause broadens the scope of the proverb from the specific "false witness" to anyone who generally "speaketh lies." This demonstrates that the principle of inescapable judgment applies not only to formal perjury but to all forms of deliberate falsehood, whether in personal interactions, business dealings, or public discourse. The parallel phrase "shall not escape" reinforces the absolute certainty of consequences, emphasizing that there is no loophole, no hiding place, and no way to evade the repercussions of a life characterized by deceit. The proverb asserts an ultimate, unavoidable reckoning for all who practice dishonesty.
Literary Devices
Proverbs 19:5 primarily employs Synonymous Parallelism, a hallmark of Hebrew poetry. Both clauses express the same fundamental truth using different but related terms: "A false witness shall not be unpunished" is echoed and reinforced by "he that speaketh lies shall not escape." This repetition with variation serves to emphasize the certainty and universality of the message, highlighting that both specific acts of perjury and general patterns of lying fall under the same divine judgment. Furthermore, the verse powerfully utilizes Litotes, a figure of speech that affirms something by denying its opposite. The phrases "shall not be unpunished" and "shall not escape" are powerful understatements that strongly affirm the inevitability of judgment. Instead of simply stating "a false witness will be punished," the double negative intensifies the declaration, leaving no room for doubt about the certainty of the consequence. This rhetorical choice makes the warning more potent and memorable, underscoring the absolute nature of the impending judgment.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Proverbs 19:5 deeply roots itself in the biblical understanding of God's character as just and truthful. It reflects the divine abhorrence of falsehood, which fundamentally contradicts God's nature as the God of truth. The proverb assures us that while human justice may sometimes fail, there is a higher, divine order that ensures accountability for all deception. This divine commitment to truth underpins the moral fabric of the universe and promises ultimate vindication for those who uphold integrity. It serves as a warning not only against the act of lying but against a heart that is comfortable with deceit, reminding us that such a disposition stands in opposition to God's righteous standards and will inevitably lead to judgment.
Reflection and Application
Proverbs 19:5 calls us to a profound commitment to truthfulness in every facet of our lives, recognizing that integrity is not merely a virtue but a foundational principle for living in alignment with God's character and His created order. It challenges us to examine our words, our motives, and our actions, ensuring that we are not contributing to the spread of falsehood, whether through outright lies, exaggeration, gossip, misleading statements, or even silence when truth is required. This proverb encourages us to cultivate a heart that loves truth and abhors deceit, understanding that our words carry immense weight and have far-reaching consequences, both in human relationships and before God. By embracing honesty, we build trust, foster genuine community, and reflect the very nature of the God who cannot lie, finding assurance that the path of integrity, though sometimes challenging, ultimately leads to blessing and peace, while deceit leads to inevitable exposure and judgment.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "shall not be unpunished" mean in simple terms?
It means that the person will definitely be punished. The phrase uses a double negative to emphasize the certainty of the consequence. It's a strong way of saying there's no way for a false witness or a liar to escape the judgment they deserve. This concept is reinforced throughout the wisdom literature, highlighting that God's justice will prevail, as seen in Proverbs 11:21.
Does this proverb only apply to legal settings, or does it have broader implications for everyday honesty?
While the first part of the verse specifically mentions a "false witness," which clearly points to a legal context, the second part broadens the scope to "he that speaketh lies." This indicates that the principle applies not just to formal perjury but to any form of deliberate falsehood in daily life. God's standard of truthfulness extends to all our words and actions, as highlighted in passages like Ephesians 4:25, which exhorts believers to "speak every man truth with his neighbour." The proverb warns against all forms of deceit, affirming that all lies will ultimately face consequences.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Proverbs 19:5, with its stern warning against false witness and lies, finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound significance in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the proverb warns of the inescapable judgment for those who bear false witness, Jesus himself was the ultimate victim of false witnesses, as seen in the trials leading to His crucifixion (e.g., Matthew 26:59-60). Yet, despite the perversion of justice, Jesus, the embodiment of truth, did not escape the cross, but willingly embraced it to fulfill God's righteous plan. He is the Truth incarnate, whose very nature is antithetical to all falsehood. Through His perfect life, sacrificial death, and victorious resurrection, Christ has dealt definitively with the power of sin, which includes the sin of lying and deceit. For those who are in Christ, the judgment warned of in Proverbs 19:5 has been borne by Him, and they are now called to live as children of light, speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), reflecting the character of the One who is faithful and true (Revelation 19:11). Ultimately, the promise that liars "shall not escape" points to the final judgment where all who persist in falsehood will face the just wrath of God, while those who trust in Christ, the Lamb of God, are acquitted through His perfect righteousness (Romans 8:1) and granted eternal life.