The Sword of False Witnesses
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The concept of "The Sword of False Witnesses" is not a direct biblical phrase but rather a thematic representation of the destructive power of bearing false witness, as depicted in the Scriptures. The Bible consistently warns against the sin of false testimony, emphasizing its potential to harm individuals and communities.

Biblical Foundation

The Ninth Commandment explicitly states, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor" (Exodus 20:16). This commandment underscores the importance of truthfulness and integrity in maintaining justice and harmony within society. Bearing false witness is not merely a personal sin but a societal one, as it can lead to unjust outcomes and the breakdown of trust.

Proverbs and Wisdom Literature

The Book of Proverbs frequently addresses the issue of false testimony. Proverbs 6:16-19 lists "a false witness who pours out lies" among the seven things the Lord detests. Proverbs 12:17-19 further contrasts truthful lips with a lying tongue, highlighting the enduring nature of truth versus the fleeting nature of deceit: "Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment" (Proverbs 12:19).

The Sword Imagery

The imagery of a sword is often used in the Bible to symbolize judgment, division, and destruction. In the context of false witnesses, the "sword" can be seen as the metaphorical weapon that false testimony wields, capable of cutting down the innocent and perverting justice. Psalm 57:4 describes the destructive nature of deceitful words: "My soul is among the lions; I lie among fiery beasts—men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords" .

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ emphasizes the importance of truth and condemns falsehood. In Matthew 15:19, He lists false testimony among the evils that come from the heart: "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander" . The Apostle Paul also warns against deceit in Ephesians 4:25, urging believers to "put away falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor" .

Consequences of False Witness

The Bible provides numerous examples of the consequences of false witness. In the account of Naboth's vineyard (1 Kings 21), false witnesses led to Naboth's unjust execution, demonstrating how deceit can lead to grave injustice. Similarly, the false accusations against Jesus Christ during His trial (Matthew 26:59-61) highlight the ultimate injustice that false testimony can produce.

Moral and Spiritual Implications

Bearing false witness is not only a legal issue but also a moral and spiritual one. It reflects a heart that is not aligned with God's truth and righteousness. The Bible calls believers to be people of integrity, whose words reflect the truth of God. James 3:6 warns of the destructive power of the tongue, likening it to a fire that can corrupt the whole body.

Conclusion

The "Sword of False Witnesses" serves as a powerful reminder of the destructive potential of deceit and the importance of truthfulness in the life of a believer. The Bible's consistent message is clear: truth is foundational to justice, community, and a right relationship with God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Proverbs 25:18
A man that bears false witness against his neighbor is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Lix. The Preacher and his Hearers.
... They were false witnesses because they gave His words a meaning He never intended
them to have. ... He must use the Word of the Lord as a sword. ...
/.../the village pulpit volume ii trinity to advent/lix the preacher and his.htm

Preface.
... however, is at all times assailed by false witnesses, and, while ... one that rises superior
to all false witness, and ... or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen against celsus/preface.htm

The Ninth Commandment
... Solomon says, A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour, is a maul
and a sword.' Proverbs 25 ... blush, he cares not what lie he witnesses to; and ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 9 the ninth commandment.htm

Thou Shalt not Bear False Witness against Thy Neighbor.
... it be false preachers with their doctrine and blasphemy, false judges and witnesses
with their ... For although you do not wield the sword, you employ your ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/luther/the large catechism/thou shalt not bear false.htm

A Homily on Guria and Shamuna, Composed by Mar Jacob.
... For the sword they waited, and the sword went forth and crowned them: ... False
witnesses, who killed Naboth, feigning themselves to be true. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/a homily on guria and.htm

Matt. xxvi. 51-54.
... "For," He saith, "they shall perish by the sword." To show that He is suffering
voluntarily, He ... "But false witnesses came, and said, This fellow said, I will ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxxxiv matt xxvi 51-54.htm

Christ and Pilate: the True King and his Counterfeit
... Jesus in regard to the eager accusations corresponds to His silence before the false
witnesses. ... and felt, as they did, that freedom was to be won by the sword. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/christ and pilate the true.htm

Psalm LXIV.
... For he that with sword fighteth hand to hand, openly fighteth: he that ... that He might
be betrayed to them, [2506] how they procured false witnesses; with what ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxiv.htm

Acts vi. 8
... quarters: and, their enemies themselves being witnesses, not only ... in this case it
was all false accusation, with ... Quench (thine anger) that sharp sword: let it ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xv acts vi 8.htm

Brought up from the Horrible Pit
... He did not unsheathe the sword as Peter did; much less did He flee ... Him from bar to
bar, how patiently He kept silence, though false witnesses appeared against ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 28 1882/brought up from the horrible.htm

Resources
What does it mean to live by the sword and die by the sword? | GotQuestions.org

What is the sword of the Spirit? | GotQuestions.org

What did Jesus mean by coming to bring a sword in Matthew 10:34-36? | GotQuestions.org

Sword: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Sword

Sword of Judgments

Sword of the Malicious Tongue

Sword of War

Sword used by Gideon

Sword used by Goliath

Sword used by Peter

Sword: David's Army Equipped With

Sword: Made of Plowshares

Sword: Symbolical

Sword: To be Beaten Into Plowshares

Sword: Two-Edged

The Sword in Time of Peace Made Into Plough Shares

The Sword in Time of War, Plough Shares Made Into

The Sword of Deep Mental Affliction

The Sword of False Witnesses

The Sword of Judicial Authority

The Sword of Persecuting Spirit of the Wicked

The Sword of Severe and Heavy Calamities

The Sword of the End of the Wicked

The Sword of the Justice of God

The Sword of the Protection of God

The Sword of the Tongue of the Wicked

The Sword of the Wicked

The Sword of the Word of Christ

The Sword of the Word of God

The Sword of War and Contention

The Sword was Brandished Over the Head

The Sword was One of God's Four Sore Judgments

The Sword was Pointed

The Sword was Thrust Through Enemies

The Sword was Used by Heathen Nations

The Sword was Used by the Jews

The Sword was Used by the Patriarchs

The Sword was Used for Destruction of Enemies

The Sword was Used for Punishing Criminals

The Sword was Used for Self-Defence

The Sword was Used: Sometimes for Self-Destruction

The Sword: (Drawing of) of War and Destruction

The Sword: (Living By) of Rapine

The Sword: (Not Departing from One's House) of Perpetual Calamity

The Sword: (Putting, Into Its Sheath) Peace and Friendship

The Sword: Bright

The Sword: Carried in a Sheath or Scabbard

The Sword: Frequently had Two Edges

The Sword: Glittering

The Sword: Hebrews Early Acquainted With Making of

The Sword: Hurtful

The Sword: Often Sent As a Punishment

The Sword: Often Threatened As a Punishment

The Sword: Oppressive

The Sword: Probable Origin

The Sword: Sharp

The Sword: Sharpened and Furbished Before Going to War

The Sword: Suspended from the Girdle

The Sword: Those Slain By, Communicated Ceremonial Uncleanness

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Is'the (1 Occurrence)

The (669438 Occurrences)

Oak-the (1 Occurrence)

Saying'the (1 Occurrence)

Jok'the-el (1 Occurrence)

The-oph'ilus (2 Occurrences)

The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence)

Ko'hathites (19 Occurrences)

Kohathite (18 Occurrences)

Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences)

Zin (9 Occurrences)

Zarephath (4 Occurrences)

Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences)

Vintage (14 Occurrences)

Kore (4 Occurrences)

Knives (12 Occurrences)

Zidonians (11 Occurrences)

Kareah (14 Occurrences)

Vegetation (18 Occurrences)

Kanah (3 Occurrences)

Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences)

Vicinity (18 Occurrences)

Zeboim (7 Occurrences)

Kadeshbarnea (9 Occurrences)

Kare'ah (14 Occurrences)

Volition

Kol

Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences)

Vashti (10 Occurrences)

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Knitted (9 Occurrences)

Kids (12 Occurrences)

Killeth (23 Occurrences)

Vial (12 Occurrences)

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Home-born (14 Occurrences)

Kingship (17 Occurrences)

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Zacchaeus (3 Occurrences)

Zenas (1 Occurrence)

Kneel (10 Occurrences)

Zachariah (6 Occurrences)

Kebar (8 Occurrences)

Kerethites (9 Occurrences)

Zeeb (3 Occurrences)

Zoheleth (1 Occurrence)

Zarethan (4 Occurrences)

Kinnereth (7 Occurrences)

Knowledge

Knelt (20 Occurrences)

Visible (12 Occurrences)

Zeus (3 Occurrences)

Ziph (9 Occurrences)

Zebadiah (9 Occurrences)

Zorah (10 Occurrences)

Kenite (9 Occurrences)

Kick (8 Occurrences)

Kedar (11 Occurrences)

Zichri (12 Occurrences)

Ko'rahites (6 Occurrences)

Zeru'iah (24 Occurrences)

Kei'lah (16 Occurrences)

24000 (10 Occurrences)

Vapor (6 Occurrences)

Vanished (13 Occurrences)

Verdict (7 Occurrences)

Violated (23 Occurrences)

Knop (4 Occurrences)

Visiting (10 Occurrences)

Zaphon (4 Occurrences)

Zephani'ah (10 Occurrences)

Zaccur (10 Occurrences)

Koz (5 Occurrences)

Kadmiel (8 Occurrences)

The Sword of Deep Mental Affliction
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