“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This commandment isn't just about lying in court; it profoundly guards a person's reputation, covering everything from malicious gossip and slander to even repeating suspicions as facts. It's a powerful reminder that our words, whether spoken publicly or privately, carry immense weight and can deeply wound another's good name.
“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This commandment stands within the section of the Ten Commandments detailing our duties to our neighbors. It directly follows prohibitions against theft and murder, continuing the theme of protecting others' well-being. Coming before the commandment against coveting, it emphasizes the importance of protecting one's reputation and ensuring justice through truthful testimony.
We often think of 'bearing false witness' as something that only happens in a courtroom. But what if the commandment is much broader than that?
This command, while directly addressing perjury in legal settings (a serious offense in ancient Israel and today!), extends far beyond the witness stand.
The Heart of the Matter
Think of it as a command to protect the good name and standing of others, whether in public or private life.
Did you know that a single word, like a fired bullet, can change minds and trigger significant actions? This commandment warns us about that power.
The ninth commandment reminds us that our words aren't just sounds – they have real-world consequences.
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The Impact of Our Words
God holds us accountable for the 'testimony' we bear, whether in a formal setting or in everyday conversations. Our words have the power to build up or tear down.
Understand the original words
sha-w' ed · Hebrew Noun phrase
To testify falsely or deceitfully; it encompasses perjury, lying, slander, and gossip that damages another's reputation or causes injustice.
re'a · Hebrew Noun
An individual who lives in close proximity, representing anyone whom one has an opportunity to help or harm; in a covenantal context, it refers to a fellow member of the community of God's people.
This verse directly lists 'a false witness who breathes out lies' as one of the things the Lord hates, reinforcing the gravity of Exodus 20:16.
Matthew 26:59This passage shows false witnesses being brought against Jesus in his trial, illustrating the real-world application and devastating consequences of violating the ninth commandment.
Acts 6:11-13Here, false witnesses are incited to speak against Stephen, demonstrating how lies can be used to persecute and silence righteous individuals.
James 4:11James warns believers against slandering one another, broadening the scope of the ninth commandment beyond just legal testimony to include all forms of damaging speech against our neighbor.
clarkeExodus 20:16: "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour."
Thou shalt not bear false witness, etc. - Not only false oaths, to deprive a man of his life or of his right, are here prohibited, but all whispering, tale-bearing, slander, and calumny; in a word, whatever is deposed as a truth, which is false in fact, and tends to injure another in his goods, person, or character, is against the spirit and letter of this law. Suppressing the truth when known, by which a person may be def…
gillExodus 20:16: "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour."
Thou shall not bear false witness against thy neighbour. Neither publicly in a court of judicature, by laying things to his charge that are false, and swearing to them, to his hurt and damage; nor privately, by whispering, tale bearing, backbiting, slandering, by telling lies of him, traducing his character by innuendos, sly insinuations, and evil suggestions, whereby he may suffer in his character, credit, and reputation,…
This commandment isn't just about lying in court; it profoundly guards a person's reputation, covering everything from malicious gossip and slander to even repeating suspicions as facts. It's a powerful reminder that our words, whether spoken publicly or privately, carry immense weight and can deeply wound another's good name.
This commandment stands within the section of the Ten Commandments detailing our duties to our neighbors. It directly follows prohibitions against theft and murder, continuing the theme of protecting others' well-being. Coming before the commandment against coveting, it emphasizes the importance of protecting one's reputation and ensuring justice through truthful testimony.
This commandment stands within the section of the Ten Commandments detailing our duties to our neighbors. It directly follows prohibitions against theft and murder, continuing the theme of protecting others' well-being. Coming before the commandment against coveting, it emphasizes the importance of protecting one's reputation and ensuring justice through truthful testimony.
"“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor." — This commandment isn't just about lying in court; it profoundly guards a person's reputation, covering everything from malicious gossip and slander to even repeating suspicions as facts. It's a power…
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Last reviewed October 2026