A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
What does Proverbs 6:19 mean?
If the slothful are to be condemned, who do nothing, much more those that do all the ill they can. Observe how such a man is described.
Key themes
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Keep this verse inside Proverbs 6:16-19 and alongside a few nearby related passages.
Commentary on Proverbs 6:19
A false witness that speaketh lies,.... Or, "that speaketh lies, even a false witness" (f); and so this is distinguished from a lying tongue, the second of these evils: this is the sin of bearing false witness against one's neighbour, a breach of the eighth command. It may be rendered, "he that bloweth lies" (g); that raises lies, and spreads them abroad, and swears to them, to the damage of others. This makes the sixth; and the seventh follows, and him that soweth discord among brethren; whether in a natural relation, or in a civil society, or in a religious community. (f) So Vatablus, Mercerus, &c. (g) "qui efflat mendacia", Piscator, Michaelis.
Key words
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A false witness that speaketh lies,.
Context in Proverbs 6
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Proverbs 6 belongs to the early movement of the book, especially the section often described as fatherly discourses on wisdom. Proverbs offers compact instruction on speech, work, wealth, friendship, sex, discipline, justice, and wisdom as a way of life before God. Read this chapter with the wider themes of wisdom, fear of the Lord, and speech in view so the individual verses keep their proper weight.
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