Proverbs 19:9
A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.
Original Language Analysis
עֵ֣ד
witness
H5707
עֵ֣ד
witness
Strong's:
H5707
Word #:
1 of 7
concretely, a witness; abstractly, testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e., prince
שְׁ֭קָרִים
A false
H8267
שְׁ֭קָרִים
A false
Strong's:
H8267
Word #:
2 of 7
an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial)
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
3 of 7
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִנָּקֶ֑ה
shall not be unpunished
H5352
יִנָּקֶ֑ה
shall not be unpunished
Strong's:
H5352
Word #:
4 of 7
to be (or make) clean (literally or figuratively); by implication (in an adverse sense) to be bare, i.e., extirpated
וְיָפִ֖יחַ
and he that speaketh
H6315
וְיָפִ֖יחַ
and he that speaketh
Strong's:
H6315
Word #:
5 of 7
to puff, i.e., blow with the breath or air; hence, to fan (as a breeze), to utter, to kindle (a fire), to scoff
Historical Context
Reflects Torah's severe penalty for perjury endangering innocent lives. The principle extends beyond legal testimony to all forms of lying - persistent falsehood leads to death.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the threat of perishing for lies affect your valuation of truthfulness?
- What patterns of deception need to cease before they lead to your destruction?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaks lies shall perish. This verse intensifies verse 5 - false witnesses don't merely face punishment but perish. The escalation from 'not be unpunished' to 'shall perish' (avad - be destroyed, lost) emphasizes the ultimate stakes. Persistent lying leads to destruction, temporal and eternal. This doesn't promise immediate death but ultimate fate - liars' destiny is destruction unless they repent.