Proverbs 21:28

Authorized King James Version

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A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.

Original Language Analysis

עֵד witness H5707
עֵד witness
Strong's: H5707
Word #: 1 of 7
concretely, a witness; abstractly, testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e., prince
כְּזָבִ֥ים A false H3577
כְּזָבִ֥ים A false
Strong's: H3577
Word #: 2 of 7
falsehood; literally (untruth) or figuratively (idol)
יֹאבֵ֑ד shall perish H6
יֹאבֵ֑ד shall perish
Strong's: H6
Word #: 3 of 7
properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)
וְאִ֥ישׁ but the man H376
וְאִ֥ישׁ but the man
Strong's: H376
Word #: 4 of 7
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
שׁ֝וֹמֵ֗עַ that heareth H8085
שׁ֝וֹמֵ֗עַ that heareth
Strong's: H8085
Word #: 5 of 7
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
לָנֶ֥צַח constantly H5331
לָנֶ֥צַח constantly
Strong's: H5331
Word #: 6 of 7
properly, a goal, i.e., the bright object at a distance travelled towards; hence (figuratively), splendor, or (subjectively) truthfulness, or (objecti
יְדַבֵּֽר׃ speaketh H1696
יְדַבֵּֽר׃ speaketh
Strong's: H1696
Word #: 7 of 7
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

Analysis & Commentary

A false witness—one who testifies dishonestly—'shall perish,' facing both temporal and eternal judgment. This person's deception has consequences not merely for others but for himself. Conversely, 'the man that heareth'—the one who listens carefully and speaks truthfully based on genuine knowledge—'speaketh constantly,' his testimony enduring and proving reliable. Truth stands; lies collapse. God will vindicate truthful witnesses and judge false ones. This applies beyond courtrooms to all speech: those who speak truth build reputations for reliability, while liars destroy their credibility. Ultimately, every word will be judged (Matthew 12:36-37). Believers must be people whose word can be trusted absolutely.

Historical Context

Israelite law prescribed severe penalties for false witnesses (Deuteronomy 19:16-21). Justice depended on reliable testimony, making perjury a community-destroying sin.

Questions for Reflection