Proverbs 6:19

KJV

A false witness [that] speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

KJV (with Strong's)

A false {H8267} witness {H5707} that speaketh {H6315} lies {H3577}, and he that soweth {H7971} discord {H4090} among brethren {H251}.

Complete Jewish Bible

a false witness who lies with every breath, and him who sows strife among brothers.

Berean Standard Bible

a false witness who gives false testimony, and one who stirs up discord among brothers.

American Standard Version

A false witness that uttereth lies, And he that soweth discord among brethren.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 6:19 concludes a pivotal list of "six things the LORD hates, yea, seven are an abomination unto him" (Proverbs 6:16-19), specifically condemning two actions that profoundly offend God due to their destructive impact on truth, justice, and communal harmony. It identifies the "false witness who speaks lies" and the one "who sows discord among brethren" as engaging in behaviors that are antithetical to God's character and His desire for integrity and unity among His people, highlighting their deep wickedness and the divine detestation they incur.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Proverbs 6:19 stands as the culmination of a distinct sapiential unit within the "Solomonic" collection (Proverbs 10:1-22:16), specifically concluding the enumerated list of "seven abominations" to the Lord (Proverbs 6:16-19). This list follows warnings against idleness (Proverbs 6:6-11) and the deceitful, perverse man (Proverbs 6:12-15), serving as a stark summary of behaviors that fundamentally oppose divine wisdom and righteous living. The structure, moving from six to seven, emphasizes the completeness and intensity of God's abhorrence for these specific sins, with the final two acts in verse 19 presented as particularly egregious, encapsulating the essence of treachery and division.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israelite society, truth and community cohesion were paramount. The legal system relied heavily on witness testimony, making a "false witness" a grave threat to justice and social order. Perjury could lead to the unjust condemnation of the innocent or the acquittal of the guilty, directly violating the Ninth Commandment (cf. [Exodus 20:16](/exodus/20-16 "Exodus 20:16 - The Ninth Commandment")). Furthermore, the concept of "brethren" (Hebrew: _ʼâchîm_) extended beyond immediate family to include fellow Israelites and members of the covenant community, emphasizing a shared identity and mutual responsibility. Sowing discord among them was an act of internal sabotage, disrupting the peace and unity essential for a thriving, God-honoring society. Such actions directly undermined the communal values of trust, solidarity, and mutual support that were foundational to Israel's identity as God's people.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Proverbs. It underscores the vital importance of **truth and integrity** by condemning the "false witness," aligning with the book's consistent call for honesty in speech and action (e.g., [Proverbs 12:22](/proverbs/12-22 "Proverbs 12:22 - Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord")). Conversely, it highlights the destructive nature of **deception and falsehood**. The condemnation of "sowing discord" emphasizes the value of **unity and peace** within the community, contrasting sharply with the destructive forces of **strife and division**. This theme resonates throughout the wisdom literature, which frequently extols the benefits of harmony (e.g., [Psalm 133:1](/psalms/133-1 "Psalm 133:1 - The Blessedness of Unity")) and warns against contention. Ultimately, the verse reinforces the theme of **God's absolute abhorrence of sin**, particularly those sins that directly harm others and fracture relationships, revealing His character as a God of truth, justice, and peace.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Falsehood (Hebrew, _sheqer'_):** This term denotes an untruth, deceit, or sham. In the context of "false witness," it highlights the deliberate fabrication or distortion of truth, often with malicious intent, to deceive or mislead, particularly in a legal or testimonial setting. It speaks to the inherent dishonesty of the act, making it an abomination to God who is truth.
* **Discord (Hebrew, _mᵉdân'_):** Derived from a root meaning "contest or quarrel," _mᵉdân_ signifies strife, contention, or active disagreement. When one "sows discord," they are intentionally introducing elements that provoke conflict and division, disrupting peace and harmony within a community.
* **Soweth (Hebrew, _shâlach'_):** While _shâlach_ broadly means "to send away or forth," in this idiomatic phrase, it carries the nuance of actively propagating or scattering. Just as a farmer scatters seeds, the one who "sows discord" deliberately disseminates words, rumors, or actions that are designed to germinate into conflict and division among people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"A false witness that speaketh lies":** This clause condemns perjury and slander, highlighting an individual who deliberately fabricates or distorts truth, often in a formal setting (like a court) or through gossip, to harm another or manipulate a situation. Such an act undermines justice, trust, and the very fabric of communal integrity, as it is rooted in deceit and malice. The Hebrew emphasizes the active, intentional nature of "speaking lies" (H6315 _pûwach_ "to utter" + H3577 _kâzâb_ "falsehood"), not merely an accidental untruth.
* **"and he that soweth discord among brethren":** This second clause targets the deliberate instigation of strife and division within a community. "Brethren" (H251 _ʼâch_) refers to fellow members of the covenant community, emphasizing the internal damage caused when one actively works to break down relationships, foster animosity, and disrupt the peace and unity that God desires for His people. This is not accidental disagreement but purposeful agitation and malicious fragmentation, vividly captured by the imagery of "sowing" (H7971 _shâlach_) seeds of conflict (H4090 _mᵉdân_).

#### Literary Devices
Proverbs 6:19, as the final entry in a numerical proverb (Proverbs 6:16-19), employs **climax** to emphasize the profound wickedness of these two specific actions. The structure of "six things... yea, seven" serves as a **numerical proverb**, a common wisdom device that draws attention to the completeness and intensity of the list, highlighting the final items as particularly detestable. The phrase "soweth discord" is a potent **metaphor**, likening the malicious propagation of strife to a farmer scattering seeds. This imagery powerfully conveys the intentionality, widespread potential, and destructive harvest of such actions. Furthermore, the entire list is a form of **antithetical parallelism** in a broader sense, contrasting the abominable behaviors with the righteous conduct that God desires.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Proverbs 6:19 reveals God's character as fundamentally aligned with truth, justice, and peace, and His absolute opposition to anything that undermines these divine attributes. The condemnation of false witness underscores His nature as a God of truth, who cannot tolerate deceit, especially when it perverts justice and harms the innocent. Similarly, His abhorrence of those who sow discord highlights His desire for unity, harmony, and love within His covenant community, reflecting His own unified and loving nature. These actions are not merely social transgressions but direct affronts to God's moral order and His very being, demonstrating that true wisdom involves aligning one's life with God's righteous standards.

* [Leviticus 19:16](/leviticus/19-16 "Leviticus 19:16 - Do not go about spreading slander")
* [Romans 16:17](/romans/16-17 "Romans 16:17 - Mark those who cause divisions")
* [James 3:16](/james/3-16 "James 3:16 - Where envy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 6:19 serves as a timeless and convicting call to self-examination for every believer. It challenges us to consider the immense power of our words and actions, recognizing their potential for either building up or tearing down. Are we purveyors of truth, integrity, and reconciliation, or do we, even subtly, engage in gossip, slander, or divisive speech that fractures relationships and undermines trust? This verse compels us to cultivate a heart that genuinely desires the well-being and unity of others, especially within the body of Christ. It urges us to be peacemakers, actively seeking to resolve conflict and foster harmony, rather than contributing to animosity. Living out this proverb means intentionally choosing honesty over deceit, and unity over division, reflecting the character of the God we serve.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, perhaps unintentionally, act as a "false witness" or contribute to the spread of untruths in my daily interactions or online?**
* **How can I actively promote unity and peace within my family, church, workplace, or community, rather than allowing or contributing to discord?**
* **What specific steps can I take to guard my tongue and ensure my words are always seasoned with grace and truth, building others up rather than tearing them down?**

### FAQ
**Why are "false witness" and "sowing discord" listed as the final abominations?**

Answer: These two actions are listed last in the "seven abominations" because they represent profound betrayals of truth and community, striking at the very heart of God's character and His design for human relationships. A false witness directly undermines justice, which is foundational to God's rule, and destroys trust, which is essential for any healthy society. Sowing discord among brethren attacks the unity and love that God desires for His people, fracturing the body and disrupting peace. Their inclusion as the culmination of the list emphasizes their severe impact and God's deep detestation for behaviors that are so fundamentally destructive to individuals and the collective. They are not merely mistakes but deliberate acts of malice that subvert divine order.

**How does this proverb apply to modern communication, especially social media?**

Answer: Proverbs 6:19 has profound relevance for the digital age. The "false witness" can manifest as spreading misinformation, engaging in online slander, or sharing unverified rumors that damage reputations or incite division. The ease of sharing information online makes it crucial to verify facts before speaking or posting. Similarly, "sowing discord among brethren" is rampant on social media, where individuals can easily engage in divisive rhetoric, fuel arguments, or participate in "cancel culture" that alienates and fragments communities. The proverb calls us to exercise extreme caution and responsibility in our online interactions, prioritizing truth, kindness, and unity over sensationalism or division, remembering that our words, even digital ones, have real-world consequences and are seen by God (cf. [Matthew 12:36-37](/matthew/12-36 "Matthew 12:36-37 - Account for every careless word")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 6:19 finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies the antithesis of these abominable acts. He is the **Truth incarnate** (cf. [John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")), never speaking a lie or bearing false witness. Indeed, He was the victim of false witnesses (cf. [Matthew 26:59-60](/matthew/26-59 "Matthew 26:59-60 - False Witnesses Against Jesus")), enduring their deceit for our salvation. Far from sowing discord, Jesus is our **Peace** (cf. [Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Our Peace")), who came to reconcile humanity to God and to one another, breaking down the dividing walls of hostility (cf. [Ephesians 2:16](/ephesians/2-16 "Ephesians 2:16 - Reconciliation Through the Cross")). He prayed for the unity of His followers (cf. [John 17:20-23](/john/17-20 "John 17:20-23 - Jesus' Prayer for Unity")), and through His Spirit, He empowers believers to be peacemakers (cf. [Matthew 5:9](/matthew/5-9 "Matthew 5:9 - Blessed are the Peacemakers")) and agents of truth in a world rife with lies and division. In Christ, we find the perfect example and the divine enablement to live lives that reflect God's love for truth and unity, actively resisting the very things that are an abomination to Him.

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 6:14

Frowardness [is] in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.

Proverbs 19:5

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

Proverbs 19:9

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

James 3:18

And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

Psalms 27:12

Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.

Proverbs 25:18

¶ A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour [is] a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.

James 3:14

But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.