a false witness who gives false testimony
This phrase highlights the sin of bearing false witness, which is condemned throughout Scripture. In the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:16), God explicitly forbids giving false testimony against one's neighbor. The act of lying under oath or spreading falsehoods is seen as a direct violation of God's law and an attack on justice and truth. In ancient Israel, the legal system relied heavily on the testimony of witnesses, making honesty crucial for maintaining societal order. False testimony could lead to unjust outcomes, including wrongful punishment or the acquittal of the guilty. This sin is not only a breach of human law but also an affront to God's character, as He is the God of truth (John 14:6). The New Testament continues this theme, with Jesus condemning the Pharisees for their hypocrisy and falsehoods (Matthew 23:28). The ultimate false witness is Satan, described as the "father of lies" (John 8:44), contrasting with Jesus, who embodies truth.

and one who stirs up discord among brothers
This phrase addresses the destructive nature of sowing discord within a community or family. In the biblical context, "brothers" can refer to both literal family members and the broader community of believers. Unity among God's people is a recurring theme in Scripture, with Psalm 133:1 celebrating the goodness of brethren dwelling together in unity. Discord disrupts this harmony, leading to division and strife. The early church faced similar challenges, as seen in Paul's letters, where he often urged believers to maintain unity and peace (Ephesians 4:3). The act of stirring up discord is seen as particularly heinous because it undermines the communal bonds that reflect God's love and unity. Proverbs 6:19 warns against such behavior, emphasizing that God detests actions that fracture relationships. This aligns with Jesus' teaching in the Sermon on the Mount, where peacemakers are called blessed (Matthew 5:9). The call to unity is ultimately fulfilled in Christ, who reconciles believers to God and to one another (Ephesians 2:14-16).

1. False Witness
This refers to an individual who deliberately lies or provides misleading information, especially in a legal or communal setting. In the context of ancient Israel, bearing false witness was a serious offense, as it could lead to unjust outcomes and disrupt community harmony.

2. Brothers
This term can be understood both literally, as in siblings, and metaphorically, as members of a community or faith group. The emphasis is on the relational aspect and the potential for discord within close-knit groups.

3. Discord
The act of creating conflict or division among people who are meant to be united. In the Hebrew context, this was particularly damaging to the social fabric of the community.The Importance of Truthfulness
Truth is foundational to trust and justice. As Christians, we are called to uphold truth in all our dealings, reflecting God's nature.

The Destructive Power of Lies
Lies can cause significant harm, not only to individuals but to entire communities. We must be vigilant against falsehoods and seek to correct them.

Promoting Unity and Peace
Discord among believers is contrary to the unity Christ desires for His church. We should strive to be peacemakers, fostering reconciliation and understanding.

Guarding Our Speech
Our words have the power to build up or tear down. We must be mindful of how we speak about others, ensuring our words promote love and unity.

Accountability in Community
As part of a faith community, we have a responsibility to hold each other accountable, encouraging truthfulness and discouraging divisive behavior.Verse 19. - The sixth thing is perjury. A false witness that speaketh lies; literally, he that breathes out, or utters, lies as a false witness. So the Vulgate, proferentem mendacia testem fallacem. The Hebrew puakh is "to breathe," "to blow," and in the hiph. form, which is used here (yaphiakh, hiph. future), it is "to blow out" or" utter," either in a bad sense, as in the present instance, and in Proverbs 6:19; Proverbs 14:5; Proverbs 19:5, 9 (cf. Psalm 10:5; Psalm 12:5); or in a good sense, "to utter the truth," as in Proverbs 12:17. Lies; Hebrew k'zavim, plural of kazav, "falsehood," "lying" (cf. Proverbs 21:25). A false witness (Hebrew, ed-k'zavim), as in margin, "a witness of lies." The expression, "as a false witness," as it appears in the original, is explanatory, and indicates the particular aspect under which the speaking of lies is regarded. Lying in its more general sense has been already spoken of in ver. 17. The vice which is here noted as odious to God is expressly forbidden in the moral code, "Thou shall not bear false witness against thy neighbour" (Exodus 20:16). But this, though the chief, is only one view of the case. Perjury may be employed, not only in ruining the innocent, but also in screen-tog the guilty. "Much hurt," says Muffet, in loc., "doth the deceitful and lying witness, for he corrupteth the judge, oppresseth the innocent, suppresseth the truth, and in the courts of justice sinneth against his own soul and the Lord himself most grievously." "He that speaketh lies as a false witness," again, may be the vile instrument in the hands of unscrupulous and inexorable enemies, as those employed against our Lord and Stephen. Perjury, too, destroys the security of communities. The shipwreck of society which it occasions may be seen in the frightful misery which ensued when the system of delatores was not only countenanced, but encouraged under the Roman empire. Truly speaking, he that lies as a false witness must be hateful to God. And he that soweth discord among brethren; the seventh and last thing in the enumeration, but not, as Delitzsch holds, the ne plus ultra of all that is hated of God. It closes, as in ver. 14, the series, but with the addition "among brethren;" thus emphatically stigmatizing the conduct of that man as diabolical who destroys the harmony and unity of those who ought to live together in brotherly affection, and who disturbs the peace of communities.

Parallel Commentaries ...


a false
שָׁ֑קֶר (šā·qer)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8267: Deception, disappointment, falsehood

witness
עֵ֣ד (‘êḏ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5707: A witness, testimony, a recorder, prince

who gives false
כְּ֭זָבִים (kə·zā·ḇîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3577: A lie, falsehood, deceptive thing

testimony,
יָפִ֣יחַ (yā·p̄î·aḥ)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6315: To puff, blow with the breath, air, to fan, to utter, to kindle, to scoff

and one who stirs up
וּמְשַׁלֵּ֥חַ (ū·mə·šal·lê·aḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

discord
מְ֝דָנִ֗ים (mə·ḏā·nîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4090: A contest, quarrel

among
בֵּ֣ין (bên)
Preposition
Strong's 996: An interval, space between

brothers.
אַחִֽים׃ (’a·ḥîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 251: A brother, )


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 6:19 A false witness who utters lies (Prov. Pro Pr)