Proverbs 19:28
A worthless witness mocks at justice, and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The "worthless witness" doesn't just lie; they actively "scorn" or mock judgment itself, showing utter contempt for truth and justice. Similarly, the wicked don't just commit iniquity, they "devour" it, relishing it like a delicious meal, highlighting a deep, eager appetite for wrongdoing.
This verse appears within a larger section of Proverbs contrasting the wise and the foolish, the righteous and the wicked. It follows immediately after discussions on the fleeting nature of wealth and the consequences of unrighteous gain. The verse serves as a stark illustration of how wicked people disregard truth and justice, actively embracing sin as if it were a satisfying meal.
Ever seen someone twist the truth to get what they want? This verse calls out a specific kind of person who does just that.
Proverbs 19:28 starts by describing a 'worthless witness.' This isn't just someone who makes a mistake; it's someone whose whole character is opposed to truth and righteousness. The Hebrew word often translated as 'worthless' can also mean 'destructive' or 'wicked.'
Mocking the Law
This worthless witness doesn't just lie; they 'scorn judgment.' Think about what judgment represents: the system of justice, the laws, the pursuit of truth, and accountability. When this witness scoffs at judgment, they're showing a deep disrespect for anything that stands for what's right. They actively disregard the solemnity of legal proceedings and the sacred duty to speak the truth, especially under oath.
This isn't a minor offense. It's an active rebellion against order and truth, often fueled by a desire for personal gain or to harm others.
What does it mean to 'devour' iniquity? It's more than just doing wrong; it's a deep, consuming appetite for it.
The second part of the verse shifts focus to the broader character of the wicked: 'the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.' This imagery is incredibly powerful.
A Hunger for Wrongdoing
Imagine someone so hungry they could 'devour' their food – eat it up eagerly, with relish. The wicked person does the same with iniquity, with wrongdoing. They don't just commit sin; they consume it. It's their diet, their delight, their obsession.
This implies several things:
Understand the original words
bĕliyyaʿal · Hebrew Noun
A person of no moral value, often used to describe those who are morally bankrupt, godless, or lacking integrity in character.
mišpāṭ · Hebrew Noun
The exercise of fairness, righteousness, and judgment in accordance with God’s law, often denoting the objective standard of moral rightness.
rāšāʿ · Hebrew Noun
One who is morally twisted, evil, or guilty before God; it denotes a person who persistently rejects God's standards.
’āwen · Hebrew Noun
Moral perversity, sin, or injustice; often used to describe a state of deep moral corruption or wrongdoing.
This passage directly establishes the commandment against bearing false witness, highlighting the 'justice' that the worthless witness in Proverbs scorns.
Job 15:16This verse describes people who 'drink iniquity like water,' offering a vivid parallel to the 'mouth of the wicked devouring iniquity' with eager delight.
Malachi 3:5This prophecy speaks of God's judgment against those who practice deceit, violence, and false swearing, showing the divine perspective on the 'scorning of judgment' described in Proverbs.
Matthew 23:25-28Jesus denounces the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, calling them 'whitewashed tombs' who appear righteous but are full of wickedness, mirroring the deceptive nature of the worthless witness and the wicked.
1 John 3:8This verse states that the Son of God appeared to destroy the works of the devil, directly addressing the active 'devouring of iniquity' by the wicked, as seen in Proverbs.
ellicottProverbs 19:28: "An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity."
(28) An ungodly (worthless) witness scorneth judgment. —Despises the orders of the Law to avoid perjury ( Exodus 20:16 ; Leviticus 5:1 ). (Comp. 1Kings 8:31 ). The mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.—As a dainty morsel. (Comp. Proverbs 18:8.)
pulpitProverbs 19:28: "An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity."
Verse 28. - An ungodly (worthless) witness scorneth judgment; derides the Law which denounces perjury and compels a witness to speak truth (Exodus 20:16; Leviticus 5:1), and, as is implied he bears false testimony, thus proving himself "a witness of Belial," according to the Hebrew term. Septuagint, "He who becometh security for a foolish child outrages judgment." The mouth of the wicked devo…
The "worthless witness" doesn't just lie; they actively "scorn" or mock judgment itself, showing utter contempt for truth and justice. Similarly, the wicked don't just commit iniquity, they "devour" it, relishing it like a delicious meal, highlighting a deep, eager appetite for wrongdoing.
This verse appears within a larger section of Proverbs contrasting the wise and the foolish, the righteous and the wicked. It follows immediately after discussions on the fleeting nature of wealth and the consequences of unrighteous gain. The verse serves as a stark illustration of how wicked people disregard truth and justice, actively embracing sin as if it were a satisfying meal.
This verse appears within a larger section of Proverbs contrasting the wise and the foolish, the righteous and the wicked. It follows immediately after discussions on the fleeting nature of wealth and the consequences of unrighteous gain. The verse serves as a stark illustration of how wicked people disregard truth and justice, actively embracing sin as if it were a satisfying meal.
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This isn't about occasional mistakes; it's about a settled disposition and a deep-seated craving for evil. Their words and actions are simply the overflow of this inner hunger.
"A worthless witness mocks at justice, and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity." — The "worthless witness" doesn't just lie; they actively "scorn" or mock judgment itself, showing utter contempt for truth and justice. Similarly, the wicked don't just commit iniquity, they "devour"…
