A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape.
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's so striking here is the imagery of "breathing out" lies. It suggests that lies aren't just spoken; they're exhaled like poison, so ingrained that they become a part of someone's very being. This isn't just about occasional fibs, but a fundamental corruption that God will not overlook, ensuring accountability even when human eyes miss it.
A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse stands somewhat apart from the surrounding verses, which focus on the consequences of poverty and foolishness. It's a bold declaration that, regardless of human judgment, God sees and judges dishonesty, specifically highlighting the gravity of bearing false witness in legal settings and the broader habit of speaking lies. The thought is echoed later in the chapter, reinforcing the certainty of divine retribution for deceit.
Think someone got away with a lie? This verse reminds us that earthly justice isn't the end of the story. God sees all.
This proverb delivers a powerful, unwavering message: deception will not go unpunished. Even if a false witness or a habitual liar manages to evade detection and punishment from human authorities, they cannot escape the ultimate judgment of God. The commentators emphasize that while human eyes might miss the deceit, God's knowledge is perfect. He is aware of every lie, every misrepresentation. This isn't just about legal testimony; it extends to any form of dishonesty that harms others or defames God's honor. God’s justice is sure, even if the timing isn’t immediately apparent to us.
The Bible uses surprisingly vivid imagery to describe the act of lying. What does 'breathes out lies' really mean?
The original Hebrew word for 'speaketh' in this verse is rich with meaning. It's not just a passive act of speaking, but something more active and forceful, often translated as 'breathes out.' This imagery suggests that lies are expelled from a person with intent and energy, as if they are an involuntary, habitual exhalation. It paints a picture of someone so consumed by dishonesty that it constantly flows from them, like breath itself. This isn't a casual mistake; it's a deep-seated habit that characterizes the person. The Cambridge and Pulpit commentaries highlight this active, almost vital expulsion of falsehood.
We often think of 'false witness' only in a legal context. But this proverb's warning is much broader.
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While the first part of the verse directly addresses the legal offense of bearing false witness – a serious crime in ancient Israel with specific, harsh penalties (Deuteronomy 19:16-19) – the second half broadens the scope. 'He who breathes out lies' isn't limited to perjurers in court. As commentators note, it encompasses anyone who habitually engages in dishonesty, whether through slander, flattery, gossip, or any other form of deceptive speech. The Pulpit commentary suggests distinguishing between the two clauses: one for the formal witness, the other for the broader community of liars. The ultimate message is clear: all forms of calculated deception carry the weight of divine displeasure and will ultimately face consequences.
Understand the original words
ʿēḏ šāqer · Hebrew Noun phrase
A person who provides testimony that is untruthful or deceitful. The Bible places extreme importance on truth-telling, and bearing false witness is viewed as a serious offense against one's neighbor and against God’s own character.
kāzāḇ · Hebrew Noun
Intentional falsehoods spoken to deceive or manipulate. It is considered an abomination to God, who is the source of all truth, and serves as a tool of wickedness that corrupts relationships and society.
This verse directly states the prohibition against bearing false witness, laying the foundation for the consequences warned about in Proverbs. It shows God's law already established this command long before Proverbs was written.
Deuteronomy 19:16-19Here, the consequences for a false witness are detailed, specifically requiring the punishment to be inflicted upon the accuser as they intended for the accused, underscoring that lies and deceit are taken very seriously by God's law.
Matthew 12:36-37Jesus teaches that people will be held accountable for every careless word they speak, connecting our words directly to our justification or condemnation, mirroring the Proverbs' warning that lies will not escape judgment.
Acts 5:1-11The story of Ananias and Sapphira striking demonstrates the severe consequences of lying to God and the Holy Spirit, illustrating that deceit, even in seemingly 'lesser' matters than formal testimony, carries divine disapproval and punishment.
Revelation 21:8This passage lists 'liars' among those who will face the second death in the lake of fire, providing a stark eschatological consequence for those who 'breathe out lies,' reinforcing the ultimate inescapable judgment mentioned in Proverbs.
bensonProverbs 19:5: "A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape."
Proverbs 19:5 . A false witness shall not be unpunished — Though he escape the observation and punishment of men, yet he shall not avoid the judgment of God. And he that speaketh lies — That accustoms himself to lying, either in giving evidence in courts of justice, or in common conversation; shall not escape — The righteous judgment of God, though he may flatter himself with hopes of impunity,…
pulpitProverbs 19:5: "A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape."
Verse 5. - This verse is repeated below (ver. 9). It comes in awkwardly here, interrupting the connection which subsists between vers. 4 and 6. Its right place is doubtless where it occurs below. The Law not only strictly forbade false witness (Exodus 20:16; Exodus 23:1), but it enacted severe penalties against offenders in this particular (Deuteronomy 19:16, etc.); the lex talionis was to be e…
What's so striking here is the imagery of "breathing out" lies. It suggests that lies aren't just spoken; they're exhaled like poison, so ingrained that they become a part of someone's very being. This isn't just about occasional fibs, but a fundamental corruption that God will not overlook, ensuring accountability even when human eyes miss it.
This verse stands somewhat apart from the surrounding verses, which focus on the consequences of poverty and foolishness. It's a bold declaration that, regardless of human judgment, God sees and judges dishonesty, specifically highlighting the gravity of bearing false witness in legal settings and the broader habit of speaking lies. The thought is echoed later in the chapter, reinforcing the certainty of divine retribution for deceit.
This verse stands somewhat apart from the surrounding verses, which focus on the consequences of poverty and foolishness. It's a bold declaration that, regardless of human judgment, God sees and judges dishonesty, specifically highlighting the gravity of bearing false witness in legal settings and the broader habit of speaking lies. The thought is echoed later in the chapter, reinforcing the certainty of divine retribution for deceit.
"A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape." — What's so striking here is the imagery of "breathing out" lies. It suggests that lies aren't just spoken; they're exhaled like poison, so ingrained that they become a part of someone's very being. Th…
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Last reviewed October 2026