Proverbs 6:19 — Word Study
WLCיָפִ֣יחַ כְּ֭זָבִים עֵ֣ד שָׁ֑קֶר וּמְשַׁלֵּ֥חַ מְ֝דָנִ֗ים בֵּ֣ין אַחִֽים׃ פ
BSAa falsesheqer witnessʻêd [who speaks lies, uttering deceit] who gives falsekâzâb testimonypûwach▸ [breathing out untrue words, speaking deception] and one who stirs upshâlach [sows, sends forth] discordmᵉdân [strife, contention] amongbêyn brothersʼâch [brethren, close relatives]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| יָפִ֣יחַ | [who] he breathes out | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| כְּ֭זָבִים | lies | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| עֵ֣ד | a witness of | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| שָׁ֑קֶר | falsehood | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| וּמְשַׁלֵּ֥חַ | and [one who] spreads | Conjunction, verb piel participle (active) masculine singular |
| מְ֝דָנִ֗ים | contentions | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| בֵּ֣ין | between | Prep |
| אַחִֽים׃ פ | brothers | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | a false witness who gives false testimony, and one who stirs up discord among brothers. |
| KJV | A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. |
| ASV | A false witness that uttereth lies, And he that soweth discord among brethren. |
| YLT | A false witness [who] doth breathe out lies — And one sending forth contentions between brethren. |
| WEB | a false witness who utters lies, and he who sows discord among brothers. |
| BBE | A false witness, breathing out untrue words, and one who lets loose violent acts among brothers. |
Where they part company is יָפִ֣יחַ — see How Translations Differ.
Two main clauses connected by 'and,' with additional descriptive phrases that elaborate on the actions of the subjects.
6 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbפּוּחַ
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Proverbs 6:19
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Behaviors the Lord Hatesgenerated
Proverbs 6:19 identifies a false witness and a person who incites conflict among brothers as actions that are detestable to God. This verse is part of a larger passage listing seven things the Lord hates, emphasizing the moral importance of honesty and unity among people. The surrounding verses describe other wicked behaviors, illustrating a broader theme of integrity in relationships.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 12:17 | He who speaks the truth declares what is right, but a false witness speaks deceit. |
| 2 | Proverbs 19:5–9 | A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape. |
| 3 | Proverbs 25:18 | Like a club or sword or sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor. |
| 4 | Exodus 20:16 | You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. |
| 5 | Exodus 23:1 | “You shall not spread a false report. Do not join the wicked by being a malicious witness. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 19 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יָפִ֣יחַ, ya.Fi.achgenerated
The verb יָפִ֣יחַ (ya.Fi.ach) is derived from the root פּוּחַ (puwach), meaning 'to breathe out' or 'to utter.' In this context, it conveys the act of speaking lies or deceitfully testifying.
This word's parsing as a Qal imperfect third person masculine singular indicates an ongoing action, suggesting that the false witness continually speaks untruths. The nuance of 'breathing out' implies a naturalness to the deceit, as if it flows effortlessly from the individual.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
In the Berean Standard Bible, the verse uses gives false testimony and stirs up discord, which are also reflected in the KJV and ASV.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb יָפִ֣יחַ governs the clause, identifying the subject as a false witness. This is followed by the object כְּ֭זָבִים (lies) and a participial clause describing the action of the subject.
The structure of the verse highlights the relationship between the witness and the lies they speak, with a secondary clause introducing the action of stirring up discord, indicating a parallel between the two behaviors.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates יָפִ֣יחַ as ἐκκαίει, which means 'to burn out' or 'to consume.' This choice suggests a more intense action, implying that the lies not only are spoken but also have a destructive effect.
This rendering may reflect a broader interpretation of the consequences of false testimony, emphasizing the harm it can cause to relationships and communities.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 6:19 warns against a false witness who speaks lies and one who stirs up conflict among brothers. These actions are seen as harmful and divisive, emphasizing the importance of truth and unity in relationships.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
A false witness is someone who gives untrue testimony or lies about others, which can lead to injustice and harm.
Stirring up discord creates division and strife within families or communities, undermining harmony and trust.
We can avoid being a false witness by committing to honesty, speaking truthfully, and refraining from spreading rumors or deceit.
Lying and creating discord can lead to broken relationships, loss of trust, and a negative impact on community unity.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways can I ensure that I speak truthfully in my interactions with others?
- How can I promote unity among my friends and family instead of stirring up conflict?
- What are some practical steps I can take to resolve disagreements peacefully?
- Why do you think honesty is so important in maintaining healthy relationships?
Commentators on this verse — 6 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 6:19 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleA false witness [that] speaketh lies,.... Or, "that speaketh lies, [even] a false witness" (f); and so this is distinguished from a lying tongue, the second of these evils: this is the sin of bearing
Read John Gill on Proverbs 6 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryA false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. A false witness that speaketh lies - literally, 'blows out' or 'breathes out lies' (cf. Psalms 10:5, "He puffeth at them" - his enemies).
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 6 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThat speaketh lies, to wit, in judgment; whereby this differs from the former lying, . Brethren; dear relations or friends.
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 6 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 6:19 A false witness [that] speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.Ver. 19. A false witness that speaketh lies.] Heb., That blows abroad lies, - as with a pair of bellows; that vents them boldly and freely in open court, in the face of the country. These knights of the post can lend an oath for a need, as they did Jezebel against Naboth, and, like those in the history, will not stick to swear that their friend or foe was at Rome and Interamna both at once. God oft thundereth against such, to show his utter hatred of them, and hath threatened that the winged flying book, that is full of curses, within and without, shall overtake them ere they get home, and shall…
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 6 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges19. See Proverbs 6:12; Proverbs 6:14 notes.
Read Cambridge on Proverbs 6 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the BibleAGAINST THE OF SEVEN HATEFUL THINGS, Proverbs 6:16-19.Here the teacher seeks to guard his charge against personal vices, as he had before against associational ones.16-19. Six things… yea, seven, are specified.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Proverbs 6 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
a false witness who gives false testimony, and one who stirs up discord among brothers.
a false witness who utters lies, and he who sows discord among brothers.
a false witness who gives false testimony, and one who stirs up discord among brothers.
a false witness who pours out lies, and a person who spreads discord among family members.
Tyndale line
A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
A false witness that uttereth lies, And he that soweth discord among brethren.
A false witness that uttereth lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
A false witness that speaketh lies, and him that soweth discord among brethren.
A false witnesse that speaketh lyes, and him that rayseth vp contentions among brethren.
Strictly literal
a false witness that uttereth lies, and he that soweth discords among brethren.
A false witness [who] doth breathe out lies — And one sending forth contentions between brethren.
A false witness [who] breathes out lies, || And one sending forth contentions between brothers.
A false witness that eagerly uttereth lies, and him that scattereth abroad discord among brethren.
a witness who breathes out lies and one who sows discord among brothers.
From the Latin
A deceitful witness that uttereth lies, and him that soweth discord among brethren.
Simplified
a false witness that speaks lies, those who caused arguments in families.
A false witness, breathing out untrue words, and one who lets loose violent acts among brothers.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on the wording of this verse, with all eight words matched. This consistency highlights the reliability of the text across these traditions.
יָפִ֣יחַ כְּ֭זָבִים עֵ֣ד שָׁ֑קֶר וּמְשַׁלֵּ֥חַ מְ֝דָנִ֗ים בֵּ֣ין אַחִֽים׃ פ
8 of the 8 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Proverbs 6:19
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
פּוּחַ (puwach) is a primitive root meaning to breathe or blow. It encompasses actions such as puffing, fanning, and uttering, and can also imply excitement or inflaming. The verb appears in various forms, including Qal and Hiphil, indicating different nuances like causing to exhale or expressing wrath.
[פּוּחַ] vb. breathe, blow
Qal until the day breathes, i.e. grows cool
Hiph.
cause garden to exhale
puff, snort, against
with the fire of my wrath will I blow against thee
excite, inflame city
puff = pant for it
breathe out, utter
base
H6315 פּוּחַ
6315 puwach poo'akh
a primitive root; to puff, i.e. blow with the breath or air;
hence, to fan (as a breeze), to utter, to kindle (a fire), to
scoff:--blow (upon), break, puff, bring into a snare, speak,
utter.
פּוּחַ (pu.ach) — to breathe.
1) to breathe, blow
1a) (Qal) to breathe
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to cause to exhale or breathe
1b2) to puff, snort
1b3) to excite, inflame
1b4) to puff, pant for it
1b5) to breathe out, utter
1b6) to blow, blast
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singularHVqi3ms
כָּזָב (kazab) refers to a lie or falsehood, encompassing meanings like deceit and untruth. It is derived from a root that suggests the concept of deception. The entries consistently describe it as a term for falsehood without significant disagreement among lexicons.
כָּזָב n.m. lie, falsehood, deceptive thing
base
H3577 כָּזָב lie, falsehood, deceptive thing
3577 kazab kaw-zawb'
from 3576; falsehood; literally (untruth) or figuratively
(idol):--deceitful, false, leasing, + liar, lie, lying.
see HEBREW for 03576
כָּזָב (ka.zav) — lie.
a lie, untruth, falsehood, deceptive thing
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
עֵד (ed) means 'witness' and encompasses both the act of witnessing and the person who testifies. It is derived from a root suggesting emphatic affirmation. The term can refer to evidence of things or to individuals providing testimony.
עֵד 69 n.m. witness (prob. fr. reiterating, hence emphatically affirming)
witness, testimony, evidence, of things
witness, a person
base
H5707 עֵד witness (prob. fr. reiterating, hence emphatically affirming) . witness, testimony, evidence, of things
. witness, a person
5707 `ed ayd
contracted from 5749 ; concretely, a witness; abstractly,
testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e. prince:--witness.
see HEBREW for 05749
עֵד (ed) — witness.
1) witness
1a) witness, testimony, evidence (of things)
1b) witness (of people)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
שֶׁ֫קֶר (sheqer) refers to deception, falsehood, and disappointment. It encompasses various forms of deceit, including fraud and wrongful testimony. The word is built from the root associated with untruths and can imply sham or lying. It is used in contexts involving false prophets and general dishonesty.
שֶׁ֫קֶר 113 n.m. deception, disappointment, falsehood
deception, what deceives, disappoints, and betrays one
deceit, fraud, wrong
injurious falsehood, in testimony
falsity, of false or self-deceived prophets
lie, falsehood, in gen.
base
H8267 שֶׁ֫קֶר deception, disappointment, falsehood . deception, what deceives, disappoints, and betrays one
. deceit, fraud, wrong
. injurious falsehood, in testimony
. falsity, of false or self-deceived prophets
. lie, falsehood, in gen.
8267 sheqer sheh'-ker
from 8266; an untruth; by implication, a sham (often
adverbial):--without a cause, deceit(-ful),
false(-hood, -ly), feignedly, liar, + lie, lying, vain
(thing), wrongfully.
see HEBREW for 08266
שֶׁ֫קֶר (she.qer) — deception.
1) lie, deception, disappointment, falsehood
1a) deception (what deceives or disappoints or betrays one)
1b) deceit, fraud, wrong
1b1) fraudulently, wrongfully (as adverb)
1c) falsehood (injurious in testimony)
1c1) testify falsehood, false oath, swear falsely
1d) falsity (of false or self-deceived prophets)
1e) lie, falsehood (in general)
1e1) false tongue
1f) in vain
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
fols'-hood.
See LYING.
→ General scriptures concerning Ex 20:16; 23:1; Le 6:2-7; 19:11,12,16; Job 13:4; 21:34; 27:4; 31:5,6,33; 36:4; Ps 5:6,9; 10:7; 12:2,3; 28:3; 31:18; 34:13; 36:3; 50:19,20; 52:2-5; 55:21,23; 58:3; 59:12; 62:4; 63:11; 101:5,7; 109:2; 116:11; 119:29,69,163; 120:2-4; 144:8,11; Pr 2:12-15; 3:3; 6:12,13,17-19; 10:9,10,18,31; 11:9; 12:17,19,20,22; 13:5; 14:5,8,25; 17:4,7; 19:5,9,22,28; 20:17; 21:6; 26:18,19,24-26,28; 27:14; Ec 5:6; Isa 28:15; 32:7; 57:11; 59:3,4,12,13; 63:8;
The Hebrew word שָׁלַח (shalach) is a primitive root meaning 'to send' with a wide range of applications. It can refer to sending away, stretching out (especially a hand), or letting go. The entries indicate various forms, including sending off, casting out, and setting free. Notably, it can also imply divorce or being sent away in a marital context.
שָׁלַח 814 vb. send
Qal
send: human subj.
send: subj. י׳ (God)
stretch out, esp. acc. hand
rarely send away: human subj.
let loose
Niph. letters were sent
Pi.
send off, away, human subj.
send away, subj. י׳
give over
cast out
send out, forth
let go, set free
shoot forth branches
let down
shoot
Phrases
Pu. be sent off (started on journey); be put away, divorced, of wife; be impelled(?)
Hiph. and I (י׳) will send
base
H7971 שָׁלַח send .. send: human subj.
. send: subj. י׳ (God)
. stretch out, esp. acc. hand
. rarely send away: human subj.
. let loose
. letters were sent
. . send off, away, human subj.
. . send away, subj. י׳
. give over
. cast out
. send out, forth
. let go, set free
. shoot forth branches
. let down
. shoot
. Phrases
. be sent off (started on journey); be put away, divorced, of wife; be impelled(?)
. and I (י׳) will send
7971 shalach shaw-lakh'
a primitive root; to send away, for, or out (in a great
variety of applications):--X any wise, appoint, bring (on the
way), cast (away, out), conduct, X earnestly, forsake, give
(up), grow long, lay, leave, let depart (down, go, loose),
push away, put (away, forth, in, out), reach forth, send
(away, forth, out), set, shoot (forth, out), sow, spread,
stretch forth (out).
שָׁלַח (sha.lach) — to send: depart.
: depart/send
1) to send, send away, let go, stretch out
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to send
1a2) to stretch out, extend, direct
1a3) to send away
1a4) to let loose
1b) (Niphal) to be sent
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to send off or away or out or forth, dismiss, give over, cast out
1c2) to let go, set free
1c3) to shoot forth (of branches)
1c4) to let down
1c5) to shoot
1d) (Pual) to be sent off, be put away, be divorced, be impelled
1e) (Hiphil) to send
שָׁלַח (sha.lach) — to send: let go.
: let_go/free
1) to send, send away, let go, stretch out
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to send
1a2) to stretch out, extend, direct
1a3) to send away
1a4) to let loose
1b) (Niphal) to be sent
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to send off or away or out or forth, dismiss, give over, cast out
1c2) to let go, set free
1c3) to shoot forth (of branches)
1c4) to let down
1c5) to shoot
Conj | V-Piel — Conjunction · verb piel participle (active) masculine singularHC/Vprmsa
מָדוֹן (māḏôn) refers to strife or contention, highlighting conflict or discord. It is derived from a form related to דִּין (dîn), which also pertains to disputes. The term appears in contexts involving disagreements or disputes, emphasizing its association with conflict.
מָדוֹן n.m. strife, contention
strife, contention
object of contention
base
H4090 דִּין, דּוּן
4090 mdan med-awn'
a form of 4066:--discord, strife.
see HEBREW for 04066
מְדָן (me.dan) — strife.
strife, contention
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
בַּ֫יִן (beyn) is a noun meaning 'interval' or 'space between.' It primarily functions as a preposition meaning 'between' or 'among,' and can also indicate distinctions or choices. The dual form בֵּנַ֫יִם refers specifically to the space between two entities, such as armies. The entries do not indicate any significant disagreement.
בַּ֫יִן subst. prop. interval, space between
always (exc. dual) as prep. in the interval of, between
Dual בֵּנַ֫יִם space between two armies
base
H996 בַּ֫יִן subst. prop. interval, space between . always (exc. dual) as prep. in the interval of, between
. Dual בֵּנַ֫יִם space between two armies
996 beyn bane
(sometimes in the plural masculine or feminine); properly,
the constructive form of an otherwise unused noun from 995; a
distinction; but used only as a prep, between (repeated before
each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction,
either...or:--among, asunder, at, between (-twixt...and), +
from (the widest), X in, out of, whether (it be...or), within.
see HEBREW for 0995
בַּ֫יִן (ba.yin) — between.
: between
between, among, in the midst of (with other preps), from between
בַּ֫יִן (ba.yin) — between: among.
: among
between, among, in the midst of (with other preps), from between
A sub-meaning of ben (בַּ֫יִן ": between" H0996)
Prep — PrepHAcmsc
אָח (ach) means 'brother' and encompasses a broad range of relationships, including literal siblings, half-brothers, and metaphorical kinship. It can refer to any male relative or compatriot, and it may also imply resemblance or reciprocal relationships. The term is used in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, highlighting both familial and figurative connections.
אָח 630 n.m. brother
brother, born of same mother (& father)
indef. = relative
fig. of resemblance
in phr. one … another
base
H251 אָח brother
251 'ach awkh
a primitive word; a brother (used in the widest sense of
literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance
(like 1)):--another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other.
Compare also the proper names beginning with "Ah-" or "Ahi-".
see HEBREW for 01
אָח (ach) — brother: male-sibling.
: male-sibling
1) brother
1a) brother of same parents
1b) half-brother (same father)
1c) relative, kinship, same tribe
1d) each to the other (reciprocal relationship)
1e) (fig.) of resemblance
אָח (ach) — brother: male-relative.
: male-relative
1) brother
1a) brother of same parents
1b) half-brother (same father)
1c) relative, kinship, same tribe
1d) each to the other (reciprocal relationship)
1e) (fig.) of resemblance
אָח (ach) — brother: compatriot.
: compatriot
1) brother
1a) brother of same parents
1b) half-brother (same father)
1c) relative, kinship, same tribe
1d) each to the other (reciprocal relationship)
1e) (fig.) of resemblance
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa