a false witness who gives false testimonyThis phrase highlights the sin of bearing false witness, which is condemned throughout Scripture. In the Ten Commandments (
Exodus 20:16), God explicitly forbids giving false testimony against one's neighbor. The act of lying under oath or spreading falsehoods is seen as a direct violation of God's law and an attack on justice and truth. In ancient Israel, the legal system relied heavily on the testimony of witnesses, making honesty crucial for maintaining societal order. False testimony could lead to unjust outcomes, including wrongful punishment or the acquittal of the guilty. This sin is not only a breach of human law but also an affront to God's character, as He is the God of truth (
John 14:6). The New Testament continues this theme, with Jesus condemning the Pharisees for their hypocrisy and falsehoods (
Matthew 23:28). The ultimate false witness is Satan, described as the "father of lies" (
John 8:44), contrasting with Jesus, who embodies truth.
and one who stirs up discord among brothers
This phrase addresses the destructive nature of sowing discord within a community or family. In the biblical context, "brothers" can refer to both literal family members and the broader community of believers. Unity among God's people is a recurring theme in Scripture, withPsalm 133:1 celebrating the goodness of brethren dwelling together in unity. Discord disrupts this harmony, leading to division and strife. The early church faced similar challenges, as seen in Paul's letters, where he often urged believers to maintain unity and peace (Ephesians 4:3). The act of stirring up discord is seen as particularly heinous because it undermines the communal bonds that reflect God's love and unity.Proverbs 6:19 warns against such behavior, emphasizing that God detests actions that fracture relationships. This aligns with Jesus' teaching in the Sermon on the Mount, where peacemakers are called blessed (Matthew 5:9). The call to unity is ultimately fulfilled in Christ, who reconciles believers to God and to one another (Ephesians 2:14-16).
Persons / Places / Events
1.
False WitnessThis refers to an individual who deliberately lies or provides misleading information, especially in a legal or communal setting. In the context of ancient Israel, bearing false witness was a serious offense, as it could lead to unjust outcomes and disrupt community harmony.
2.
BrothersThis term can be understood both literally, as in siblings, and metaphorically, as members of a community or faith group. The emphasis is on the relational aspect and the potential for discord within close-knit groups.
3.
DiscordThe act of creating conflict or division among people who are meant to be united. In the Hebrew context, this was particularly damaging to the social fabric of the community.
Teaching Points
The Importance of TruthfulnessTruth is foundational to trust and justice. As Christians, we are called to uphold truth in all our dealings, reflecting God's nature.
The Destructive Power of LiesLies can cause significant harm, not only to individuals but to entire communities. We must be vigilant against falsehoods and seek to correct them.
Promoting Unity and PeaceDiscord among believers is contrary to the unity Christ desires for His church. We should strive to be peacemakers, fostering reconciliation and understanding.
Guarding Our SpeechOur words have the power to build up or tear down. We must be mindful of how we speak about others, ensuring our words promote love and unity.
Accountability in CommunityAs part of a faith community, we have a responsibility to hold each other accountable, encouraging truthfulness and discouraging divisive behavior.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Proverbs 6:19?
2.How can we avoid being "a false witness who gives false testimony" today?
3.What steps can prevent us from becoming "one who stirs up discord"?
4.How does Proverbs 6:19 connect with the Ninth Commandment in Exodus 20:16?
5.In what ways can we promote unity within our church community?
6.How does honesty reflect our relationship with God and others?
7.How does Proverbs 6:19 define a false witness in today's context?
8.Why does God detest a person who stirs up conflict in Proverbs 6:19?
9.What historical context influenced the writing of Proverbs 6:19?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 6?
11.What defines a false witness?
12.Which sin is considered greater?
13.Why does Proverbs 6:16-19 say God hates certain behaviors if 'God is love' elsewhere (e.g., 1 John 4:8)?
14.Proverbs 19:17 suggests a guaranteed divine reward for helping the poor--why do many charitable people still face hardship with no apparent 'repayment'?What Does Proverbs 6:19 Mean
a false witness who gives false testimonyProverbs 6:19 opens with “a false witness who pours out lies”. God singles out lying in court—or anywhere our word is trusted—as one of the seven behaviors He “hates” (Proverbs 6:16-19). In Scripture, truth is never optional and never merely personal.
• Truth reflects God’s own character (Numbers 23:19;John 14:6). When we knowingly distort facts, we step out of alignment with Him.
• False testimony attacks justice.Exodus 20:16 forbids bearing false witness because it can ruin reputations, livelihoods, even lives (1 Kings 21:8-13).
• A lie spreads quickly and is hard to reclaim (Proverbs 26:18-19). Even if retracted, damage lingers, so God treats intentional deceit as a serious sin (Proverbs 19:5).
• Speaking truth sometimes costs us, yet God honors those who “swear to their own hurt and do not change” (Psalm 15:4).
Living this verse means:
– Refusing half-truths or exaggerations that favor us.
– Protecting the good name of others when we report events (Proverbs 12:17).
– Upholding integrity in every setting—home, workplace, social media—because all speech is testimony before God (Matthew 12:36).
one who stirs up discord among brothersThe second phrase shifts from courtroom lies to community sabotage: “and one who spreads strife among brothers”. The Lord detests people who delight in conflict where harmony should thrive.
• God designed His family to dwell “in unity” (Psalm 133:1). Sowing division fights that plan.
• Discord often begins with whispers, innuendo, or flattery that plays one side against another (Proverbs 16:28; 26:20-22).
• The New Testament urges believers to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit” (Ephesians 4:3) and to “agree with one another” (1 Corinthians 1:10). Those who will not cease stirring unrest must be warned, then avoided (Romans 16:17;Titus 3:10).
• Practical guardrails:
– Address problems directly with the person involved (Matthew 18:15).
– Verify information before repeating it (Proverbs 18:17).
– Champion reconciliation, not sides (Galatians 6:1).
Stirring up discord fractures families, churches, and friendships. God calls us instead to be peacemakers, promising blessing to those who plant “seeds of peace” that reap righteousness (James 3:18).
summaryProverbs 6:19 warns against two destructive tongues: the liar who twists truth, and the agitator who fractures relationships. Both behaviors oppose God’s nature and threaten the well-being of His people. By honoring truth in every word and guarding unity in every relationship, we walk in step with the God who loves justice and peace.
Verse 19. - The sixth thing is
perjury.A false witness that speaketh lies; literally,
he that breathes out, or utters, lies as a false witness. So the Vulgate,
proferentem mendacia testem fallacem. The Hebrew
puakh is "to breathe," "to blow," and in the hiph. form, which is used here (
yaphiakh, hiph. future), it is "to blow out" or" utter," either in a bad sense, as in the present instance, and in
Proverbs 6:19;
Proverbs 14:5;
Proverbs 19:5, 9 (cf.
Psalm 10:5;
Psalm 12:5); or in a good sense, "to utter the truth," as in
Proverbs 12:17.
Lies; Hebrew
k'zavim, plural of
kazav, "falsehood," "lying" (cf.
Proverbs 21:25).
A false witness (Hebrew,
ed-k'zavim), as in margin, "a witness of lies." The expression, "as a false witness," as it appears in the original, is explanatory, and indicates the particular aspect under which the speaking of lies is regarded. Lying in its more general sense has been already spoken of in ver. 17. The vice which is here noted as odious to God is expressly forbidden in the moral code, "Thou shall not bear false witness against thy neighbour" (
Exodus 20:16). But this, though the chief, is only one view of the case. Perjury may be employed, not only in ruining the innocent, but also in screen-tog the guilty. "Much hurt," says Muffet,
in loc., "doth the deceitful and lying witness, for he corrupteth the judge, oppresseth the innocent, suppresseth the truth, and in the courts of justice sinneth against his own soul and the Lord himself most grievously." "He that speaketh lies as a false witness," again, may be the vile instrument in the hands of unscrupulous and inexorable enemies, as those employed against our Lord and Stephen. Perjury, too, destroys the security of communities. The shipwreck of society which it occasions may be seen in the frightful misery which ensued when the system of
delatores was not only countenanced, but encouraged under the Roman empire. Truly speaking, he that lies as a false witness must be hateful to God. And he that soweth discord among brethren; the seventh and last thing in the enumeration, but not, as Delitzsch holds, the
ne plus ultra of all that is hated of God. It closes, as in ver. 14, the series, but with the addition "among brethren;" thus emphatically stigmatizing the conduct of that man as diabolical who destroys the harmony and unity of those who ought to live together in brotherly affection, and who disturbs the peace of communities.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
a falseשָׁ֑קֶר(šā·qer)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8267:Deception, disappointment, falsehoodwitnessעֵ֣ד(‘êḏ)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5707:A witness, testimony, a recorder, princewho gives falseכְּ֭זָבִים(kə·zā·ḇîm)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3577:A lie, falsehood, deceptive thingtestimony,יָפִ֣יחַ(yā·p̄î·aḥ)Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6315:To puff, blow with the breath, air, to fan, to utter, to kindle, to scoffand one who stirs upוּמְשַׁלֵּ֥חַ(ū·mə·šal·lê·aḥ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7971:To send away, for, outdiscordמְ֝דָנִ֗ים(mə·ḏā·nîm)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4090:A contest, quarrelamongבֵּ֣ין(bên)Preposition
Strong's 996:An interval, space betweenbrothers.אַחִֽים׃(’a·ḥîm)Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 251:A brother, )
Links
Proverbs 6:19 NIVProverbs 6:19 NLTProverbs 6:19 ESVProverbs 6:19 NASBProverbs 6:19 KJV
Proverbs 6:19 BibleApps.comProverbs 6:19 Biblia ParalelaProverbs 6:19 Chinese BibleProverbs 6:19 French BibleProverbs 6:19 Catholic Bible
OT Poetry: Proverbs 6:19 A false witness who utters lies (Prov. Pro Pr) 
