Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and ContextPerjury, in a biblical context, refers to the act of lying or making false statements under oath. It is considered a serious sin and a violation of the Ninth Commandment, which instructs, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor" (
Exodus 20:16). Perjury undermines justice and truth, which are foundational to God's character and His commandments.
Biblical ReferencesThe Bible addresses the issue of perjury in several passages, emphasizing the importance of truthfulness and the consequences of false testimony. In
Leviticus 19:12, God commands, "You must not swear falsely by My name and so profane the name of your God. I am the LORD" . This highlights the gravity of invoking God's name in falsehood, which is both a moral and spiritual offense.
In the New Testament, Jesus expands on the commandment against false testimony. In
Matthew 5:33-37, He teaches, "Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, 'Do not break your oath, but fulfill your vows to the Lord.' But I tell you not to swear at all... Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' Anything more comes from the evil one" . Here, Jesus emphasizes the importance of integrity and truthfulness in all communication, not just under oath.
Consequences of PerjuryThe Bible warns of severe consequences for those who commit perjury.
Proverbs 19:5 states, "A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape" . This reflects the divine justice that holds individuals accountable for their words and actions. In the legal context of ancient Israel, perjury could lead to the same punishment that would have been meted out to the accused if the false testimony had been believed (
Deuteronomy 19:16-19).
Moral and Spiritual ImplicationsPerjury is not only a legal issue but also a moral and spiritual one. It reflects a heart that is not aligned with God's truth. In
John 8:44, Jesus describes the devil as "a liar and the father of lies" , indicating that falsehood is contrary to God's nature and aligns with evil. Christians are called to be people of truth, reflecting God's character in their lives.
Role in the CommunityIn a community, perjury can have devastating effects, eroding trust and justice. The early church was keenly aware of this, as seen in the account of Ananias and Sapphira in
Acts 5:1-11. Their deceit and falsehood before God and the community resulted in immediate divine judgment, serving as a sobering reminder of the seriousness of lying.
ConclusionWhile the Bible does not provide an exhaustive legal code for dealing with perjurers, it clearly establishes the expectation of truthfulness and the serious nature of bearing false witness. Believers are encouraged to uphold truth in all aspects of life, recognizing that their words have power and consequences both in the earthly realm and before God.
Greek
1965. epiorkos -- sworn falsely, a perjurer... sworn falsely. Word Origin from epi and horkos Definition sworn falsely,
a perjurer NASB Word Usage
perjurers (1). perjurer. From
...Library
Letter ccxvii. To Amphilochius, the Canons.
...Perjurers shall be excommunicated for ten years; weeping for two, hearing for three,
kneeling for four, and standing only during one year; then they shall be...
Zechariah
... The flying roll of the sixth vision, v.1-4, carries the curse that will fall upon
thieves andperjurers; and in the somewhat grotesque figure of the seventh...
The Christian Refusal to Swear by the Genius of C??sar Flippancy...
... C??sar? For it is fairly open to doubt as to who areperjurers on this point,
when you do not swear honestly [729] even by your gods....
When He Wrote his Treatises against Jovinian, and Some one had...
... is now, that is the place where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth; for there
dwell the apostate and the enemies of God; and perhaps theperjurers will go...
Whether an Oath is Voided by a Condition of Person or Time?
...Perjurers also are debarred from taking an oath, because it is presumed from their
antecedents that they will not treat an oath with the reverence due to it....
The Certainty and Joy of the Resurrection
... He says, 'If Christ be not risen, then, are we' the utterly impossible thing of
'false witnesses to God,' devoutperjurers, as the phrase might be paraphrased...
A Warning against Hypocrisy
... From the stern punishment meted out to thoseperjurers, God would have us learn
also how deep is His hatred and contempt for all hypocrisy and deception....
Letter cxxv. (AD 411. )
... For, not to speak of the dread judgment of God uponperjurers, which you know as
well as myself, I am perfectly certain that henceforth we shall have no right...
Episcopal Conspirators
... beneficence? No one, except a couple ofperjurers of notoriously bad character,
pretended to vouch for even the least serious charges....
The Apocalypse of the Holy Mother of God Concerning the...
... sin? And the commander-in-chief said: These areperjurers, blasphemers,
slanderers, whosoever divided brothers from brothers. And...
Thesaurus
Perjurers (2 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Perjurers (2 Occurrences). 1 Timothy 1:10 for the
sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave-traders, for
...Kidnappers (1 Occurrence)
... Kidnappers (1 Occurrence). 1 Timothy 1:10 fornicators, sodomites, kidnappers, liars,
perjurers; and if any other thing is opposed to sound teaching, (DBY NAS)....
Kidnapers (1 Occurrence)
... 1 Timothy 1:10 for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave-traders, for
liars, forperjurers, and for any other thing contrary to the sound doctrine...
Liars (14 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 1:10 for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave-traders, for
liars, forperjurers, and for any other thing contrary to the sound doctrine...
Laborers (19 Occurrences)
... 5 I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the
sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against theperjurers, and against...
Immoral (16 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 1:10 for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave-traders, for
liars, forperjurers, and for any other thing contrary to the sound doctrine...
Traders (31 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 1:10 for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave-traders, for
liars, forperjurers, and for any other thing contrary to the sound doctrine...
Deprive (17 Occurrences)
... 5 I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the
sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against theperjurers, and against...
Defraud (11 Occurrences)
... 5 I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the
sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against theperjurers, and against...
Perjured (1 Occurrence)
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