You shall not bear false witnessThis commandment is part of the Decalogue, given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai. Bearing false witness refers to giving untrue testimony, particularly in a legal context. In ancient Israel, the legal system relied heavily on the testimony of witnesses, as there was no forensic evidence or modern investigative techniques. False testimony could lead to unjust outcomes, including wrongful punishment or even death. This commandment underscores the importance of truthfulness and integrity in maintaining justice and social order. The principle of truth-telling is echoed throughout Scripture, such as in
Proverbs 12:22, which states, "Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who act faithfully are his delight."
against your neighbor.
The term "neighbor" in this context refers to fellow members of the community, emphasizing the relational aspect of the commandment. In the broader biblical narrative, "neighbor" extends beyond immediate community to include all people, as seen in Jesus' teaching in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). The commandment highlights the ethical responsibility individuals have towards one another, promoting trust and harmony within the community. In a New Testament context, this principle is expanded inEphesians 4:25, where believers are instructed to "put away falsehood" and "speak the truth with his neighbor," reflecting the call to live in truth as part of the body of Christ.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
MosesThe prophet and leader of the Israelites who received the Ten Commandments from God on Mount Sinai.
2.
IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, who were delivered from slavery in Egypt and were given the Law to guide their covenant relationship with God.
3.
Mount SinaiThe mountain where God gave Moses the Ten Commandments, including the commandment against bearing false witness.
4.
GodThe divine lawgiver who established the moral and ethical standards for His people through the commandments.
5.
NeighborIn the context of this commandment, a fellow member of the community or society, emphasizing the importance of truthfulness in relationships.
Teaching Points
The Importance of TruthfulnessTruthfulness is foundational to trust and integrity in relationships. Bearing false witness undermines community and personal integrity.
The Impact of False WitnessFalse testimony can lead to injustice, harm reputations, and destroy relationships. It is a sin against both God and neighbor.
Guarding Our SpeechBelievers are called to be mindful of their words, ensuring they reflect truth and love, as our speech is a reflection of our heart.
Accountability to GodAs followers of Christ, we are accountable to God for our words. We must strive to uphold His standards of truth in all our interactions.
Building a Culture of HonestyIn our communities, we should promote a culture of honesty and integrity, encouraging others to speak truthfully and uphold justice.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Exodus 20:16?
2.What does "false testimony" mean in the context of Exodus 20:16?
3.How can we ensure our words align with Exodus 20:16's commandment?
4.How does Exodus 20:16 relate to Jesus' teachings on truthfulness?
5.Why is honesty crucial in maintaining Christian community integrity?
6.How can we encourage others to uphold Exodus 20:16 in daily life?
7.How does Exodus 20:16 define truth in a legal and moral context?
8.Why is bearing false witness considered a sin in Exodus 20:16?
9.How does Exodus 20:16 relate to modern concepts of justice and integrity?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 20?
11.Is lying against God's teachings?
12.What does the Bible say about cheating in school?
13.What is the Bible's stance on snitching?
14.Is it sinful to lie?What Does Exodus 20:16 Mean
You– The command starts personally: “You” means every listener and reader is addressed directly.
– Scripture consistently places moral responsibility on individuals. Joshua said, “But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:15); Paul exhorts Timothy, “Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching” (1 Timothy 4:16).
– By singling out “you,” God eliminates excuses that blame culture, upbringing, or peer pressure (Romans 14:12: “So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.”).
Shall not bear– “Shall not” is an unequivocal prohibition, not a suggestion. The same absolute wording appears in the preceding commands—“You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13)—showing God’s moral law is fixed.
– “Bear” implies actively carrying or presenting something. We are accountable not only for speech but for any action that transmits untruth—emails, social media shares, silent nods, even body language (Ephesians 4:25: “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor.”).
False witness– A “witness” is testimony conveyed about someone or something. False witness is deliberate misrepresentation—lying, slander, gossip, exaggeration, omitting vital facts.
–Proverbs 6:16-19 lists “a lying tongue” and “a false witness who pours out lies” among the seven things the LORD hates.
– Jesus deepens the standard: “Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’” (Matthew 5:37), showing truthfulness must permeate everyday speech, not just courtroom testimony.
–Revelation 21:8 warns that “all liars” face judgment, underscoring the seriousness God places on truth.
Against your neighbor– “Neighbor” covers more than immediate family next door; Jesus expanded it to anyone we encounter (Luke 10:29-37, the Good Samaritan).
– Bearing false witness is especially grievous because it harms relationships, reputations, and community trust.Proverbs 25:18 likens it to “a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow.”
– God ties love for neighbor to truth telling: “Love does no wrong to its neighbor” (Romans 13:10). Speaking truth is an act of love, while lies are violence against community.
summaryExodus 20:16 commands every believer to refrain from any form of deceit that damages another person. God’s people must actively uphold truth, reflecting His character as the God “who cannot lie” (Titus 1:2). Truthful speech honors God, protects neighbors, and strengthens the witness of those who bear Christ’s name.
(16)
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.--Our fourth duty to our neighbour is not to injure his character. Our great poet has said--
"Who steals my purse, steals trash,
But he who filches from me my good name,
Robs me of that which not enriches him,
Yet leaves me poor indeed,"--
Thus indicating the fact that calumny may injure a man more than robbery. False witness is, of course, worst when given in a court of justice; and this offence has generally been made punishable by law. It was peculiar to the Hebrew legislation that it not only forbade and punished (Deuteronomy 19:16-20) false testimony of this extreme kind, but denounced also the far commoner, yet scarcely less injurious, practice of spreading untrue reports about others, thus injuring them in men's esteem. The ninth commandment is broad enough in its terms to cover both forms of the sin, though pointing especially to the form which is of the more heinous character. Lest its wider bearing should be overlooked, the Divine legislator added later a distinct prohibition of calumny in the words. "Thou shalt not raise a false report" (Exodus 23:1).
Verse 16. -
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. False witness is of two kinds, public and private. We may either seek to damage our neighbour by giving false evidence against him in a court of justice, or simply calumniate him to others in our social intercourse with them. The form of the expression here used points especially to false witness of the former kind, but does not exclude the latter, which is expressly forbidden in
Exodus 23:1. The wrong done to a man by false evidence in a court may be a wrong of the very extremest kind - may be actual murder (
1 Kings 21:13) More often, however, it results in an injury to his property or his character. As fatal to the administration of justice, false witness in courts has been severely visited by penalties in all well-regulated states. At Athens the false witness was liable to a heavy fine, and if thrice convicted lost all his civil rights. At Rome, by a law of the Twelve Tables, he was hurled headlong from the Tarpeian rock. In Egypt, false witness was punished by amputation of the nose and ears (
Records of the Past, vol. 8. p. 65). Private calumny may sometimes involve as serious consequences to individuals as false witness in a court. It may ruin a man; it may madden him; it may drive him to suicide. But it does not disorganise the whole framework of society, like perjured evidence before a tribunal; and states generally are content to leave the injured party to the remedy of an action-at-law. The Mosaic legislation was probably the first wherein it was positively forbidden to circulate reports to the prejudice of another, and where consequently this was a criminal offence.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
You shall notלֹֽא־(lō-)Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, nobearתַעֲנֶ֥ה(ṯa·‘ă·neh)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 6030:To answer, respondFALSEשָֽׁקֶר׃(šā·qer)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8267:Deception, disappointment, falsehoodwitnessעֵ֥ד(‘êḏ)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5707:A witness, testimony, a recorder, princeagainst your neighbor.בְרֵעֲךָ֖(ḇə·rê·‘ă·ḵā)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 7453:Friend, companion, fellow
Links
Exodus 20:16 NIVExodus 20:16 NLTExodus 20:16 ESVExodus 20:16 NASBExodus 20:16 KJV
Exodus 20:16 BibleApps.comExodus 20:16 Biblia ParalelaExodus 20:16 Chinese BibleExodus 20:16 French BibleExodus 20:16 Catholic Bible
OT Law: Exodus 20:16 You shall not give false testimony against (Exo. Ex) 
