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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/proverbs/25.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/proverbs/25.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/25.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Telling lies about others is as harmful as hitting them with an ax, wounding them with a sword, or shooting them with a sharp arrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/25.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/25.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Like a club or sword or sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/25.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour <i>is</i> a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/25.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />A man who bears false witness against his neighbor <i>Is like</i> a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/25.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br /><i>Like</i> a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow Is a person who gives false testimony against his neighbor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/25.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Like a club and a sword and a sharp arrow Is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/25.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br /><i>Like</i> a club and a sword and a sharp arrow Is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/25.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br /><i>Like</i> a club and a sword and a sharp arrow Is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/25.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Like a club and a sword and a piercing arrow Is a man who testifies falsely against his neighbor (acquaintance).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/25.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A person giving false testimony against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/25.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A man giving false testimony against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/25.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />A man that beareth false witness against his neighbor Is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/25.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Telling lies about friends is like attacking them with clubs and swords and sharp arrows. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/25.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/25.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />[Like] a club and a sword and a sharp arrow, [so] is a person who gives false testimony against his neighbor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/25.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />A false accusation is as deadly as a sword, a club, or a sharp arrow. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/25.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />A club, a sword, and a sharp arrow— that's what a man is who lies about his neighbor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/25.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Like a club or sword or sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/25.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow, so is the one who testifies against his neighbor as a false witness. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/25.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />A man who gives false testimony against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/25.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />A man that beareth false witness against his neighbor is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/25.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />A man who gives false testimony against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/25.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />A maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow, "" [Is] the man testifying a false testimony against his neighbor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/25.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> A maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow, Is the man testifying against his neighbour a false testimony.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/25.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />A mallet and a sword and an arrow sharpened, the man answering against his neighbor testimony of falsehood.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/25.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour, is like a dart and a sword and a sharp arrow. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/25.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />A man who speaks false testimony against his neighbor is like a dart and a sword and a sharp arrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/25.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />A club, sword, or sharp arrow— the one who bears false witness against a neighbor. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/25.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Like a war club, a sword, or a sharp arrow is one who bears false witness against a neighbor.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/25.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like an iron bar, a sword, and a sharp arrow.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/25.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Like a club, a sword and a sharp arrow, so is a man that testifies false testimony against his neighbor.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/25.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />As a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow, So is a man that beareth false witness against his neighbour.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/25.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br /><i>As</i> a club, and a dagger, and a pointed arrow, so also is a man who bears false witness against his friend.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/25-18.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=5199" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/25.htm">More Proverbs of Solomon</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">17</span>Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, lest he grow weary and hate you. <span class="reftext">18</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4650.htm" title="4650: mê·p̄îṣ (N-ms) -- Scatterer, disperser. From puwts; a breaker, i.e. Mallet.">Like a club</a> <a href="/hebrew/2719.htm" title="2719: wə·ḥe·reḇ (Conj-w:: N-fs) -- A sword. From charab; drought; also a cutting instrument, as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement.">or sword</a> <a href="/hebrew/8150.htm" title="8150: šā·nūn (V-Qal-QalPassPrtcpl-ms) -- To whet, sharpen. A primitive root; to point; intensively, to pierce; figuratively, to inculcate.">or sharp</a> <a href="/hebrew/2671.htm" title="2671: wə·ḥêṣ (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- From chatsats; properly, a piercer, i.e. An arrow; by implication, a wound; figuratively, thunder-bolt; the shaft of a spear.">arrow</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">is a man</a> <a href="/hebrew/6030.htm" title="6030: ‘ō·neh (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To answer, respond.">who bears</a> <a href="/hebrew/8267.htm" title="8267: šā·qer (N-ms) -- Deception, disappointment, falsehood. From shaqar; an untruth; by implication, a sham.">FALSE</a> <a href="/hebrew/5707.htm" title="5707: ‘êḏ (N-msc) -- A witness. Contracted from uwd; concretely, a witness; abstractly, testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e. Prince.">witness</a> <a href="/hebrew/7453.htm" title="7453: ḇə·rê·‘ê·hū (Prep-b:: N-msc:: 3ms) -- Friend, companion, fellow. Or reya2; from ra'ah; an associate.">against his neighbor.</a> </span><span class="reftext">19</span>Like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/3-6.htm">James 3:6-8</a></span><br />The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. / All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, / but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/4-25.htm">Ephesians 4:25</a></span><br />Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one another.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/52-2.htm">Psalm 52:2-4</a></span><br />Your tongue devises destruction like a sharpened razor, O worker of deceit. / You love evil more than good, falsehood more than speaking truth. Selah / You love every word that devours, O deceitful tongue.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/12-36.htm">Matthew 12:36-37</a></span><br />But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. / For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/20-16.htm">Exodus 20:16</a></span><br />You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-9.htm">Colossians 3:9</a></span><br />Do not lie to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/120-2.htm">Psalm 120:2-4</a></span><br />Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips and a deceitful tongue. / What will He do to you, and what will be added to you, O deceitful tongue? / Sharp arrows will come from the warrior, with burning coals of the broom tree!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/3-10.htm">1 Peter 3:10</a></span><br />For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/19-11.htm">Leviticus 19:11</a></span><br />You must not steal. You must not lie or deceive one another.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-29.htm">Romans 1:29-30</a></span><br />They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, / slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful. They invent new forms of evil; they disobey their parents.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/101-5.htm">Psalm 101:5</a></span><br />Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret, I will put to silence; the one with haughty eyes and a proud heart, I will not endure.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/21-8.htm">Revelation 21:8</a></span><br />But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/9-3.htm">Jeremiah 9:3-5</a></span><br />“They bend their tongues like bows; lies prevail over truth in the land. For they proceed from evil to evil, and they do not take Me into account,” declares the LORD. / “Let everyone guard against his neighbor; do not trust any brother, for every brother deals craftily, and every friend spreads slander. / Each one betrays his friend; no one tells the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they wear themselves out committing iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/1-9.htm">1 Timothy 1:9-10</a></span><br />We realize that law is not enacted for the righteous, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for killers of father or mother, for murderers, / for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave traders and liars and perjurers, and for anyone else who is averse to sound teaching<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/34-13.htm">Psalm 34:13</a></span><br />Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">A man that bears false witness against his neighbor is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/12-18.htm">Proverbs 12:18</a></b></br> There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise <i>is</i> health.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/52-2.htm">Psalm 52:2</a></b></br> Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp rasor, working deceitfully.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/55-21.htm">Psalm 55:21</a></b></br> <i>The words</i> of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war <i>was</i> in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet <i>were</i> they drawn swords.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/7-23.htm">Arrow</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-16.htm">Beareth</a> <a href="/psalms/68-19.htm">Bears</a> <a href="/job/41-29.htm">Club</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-14.htm">False.</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-13.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/nahum/2-1.htm">Maul</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-9.htm">Neighbor</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-9.htm">Neighbour</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-12.htm">Sharp</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-18.htm">Sword</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-17.htm">Testimony</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-6.htm">War</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-28.htm">Witness</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/7-24.htm">Arrow</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-2.htm">Beareth</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-9.htm">Bears</a> <a href="/isaiah/10-5.htm">Club</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-28.htm">False.</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-23.htm">Gives</a> <a href="/jeremiah/51-20.htm">Maul</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-19.htm">Neighbor</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-19.htm">Neighbour</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-12.htm">Sharp</a> <a href="/songs/3-8.htm">Sword</a> <a href="/isaiah/8-2.htm">Testimony</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-8.htm">War</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-9.htm">Witness</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 25</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/25-1.htm">observations about kings</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/25-8.htm">and about avoiding causes of quarrels</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/25.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/proverbs/25.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Like a club or sword or sharp arrow</b><br>This phrase uses vivid imagery to describe the destructive power of false testimony. In ancient times, a club, sword, and sharp arrow were common weapons of war, each capable of causing significant harm. The club represents blunt force, the sword signifies precision and lethality, and the sharp arrow indicates long-range impact. These weapons symbolize the various ways false words can damage relationships and reputations. The Bible often uses weapon imagery to describe the tongue's power, as seen in <a href="/james/3-6.htm">James 3:6</a>, which compares the tongue to a fire capable of great destruction.<p><b>is a man who bears false witness</b><br>Bearing false witness is explicitly condemned in the Ten Commandments (<a href="/exodus/20-16.htm">Exodus 20:16</a>). In ancient Israel, legal systems relied heavily on the testimony of witnesses, making truthfulness essential for justice. False testimony could lead to wrongful punishment or even death, highlighting the severe consequences of deceit. The act of bearing false witness is not just a legal issue but a moral one, reflecting a heart that is not aligned with God's truth. Proverbs frequently warns against deceit and emphasizes the value of integrity and honesty.<p><b>against his neighbor</b><br>The term "neighbor" in biblical context extends beyond immediate proximity to include fellow community members and, by extension, all people. This reflects the broader command to love one's neighbor as oneself (<a href="/leviticus/19-18.htm">Leviticus 19:18</a>, reiterated by Jesus in <a href="/matthew/22-39.htm">Matthew 22:39</a>). False witness against a neighbor violates this command and disrupts community harmony. The cultural context of ancient Israel placed a high value on community and relationships, making the act of bearing false witness particularly egregious. This phrase underscores the relational damage caused by deceit, contrasting with the biblical call to live in peace and truth with others.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>Traditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. He compiled these sayings to impart wisdom and understanding.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/f/false_witness.htm">False Witness</a></b><br>This refers to a person who gives false testimony or lies about another, particularly in a legal or formal setting. In ancient Israel, bearing false witness was a serious offense with significant social and legal implications.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/n/neighbor.htm">Neighbor</a></b><br>In the context of Proverbs, a neighbor is not just someone who lives nearby but any fellow member of the community. The term emphasizes the relational aspect and the duty of care and truthfulness owed to others.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_words.htm">The Power of Words</a></b><br>Words can be as destructive as physical weapons. Just as a club, sword, or arrow can cause physical harm, false testimony can damage reputations, relationships, and communities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_call_to_integrity.htm">The Call to Integrity</a></b><br>Christians are called to be people of integrity, reflecting God's truthfulness in their speech and actions. Bearing false witness is contrary to the character of God and the teachings of Christ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_responsibility.htm">Community Responsibility</a></b><br>As members of a community, believers have a responsibility to uphold truth and justice. False testimony not only harms individuals but undermines the trust and cohesion of the entire community.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/guarding_the_tongue.htm">Guarding the Tongue</a></b><br>Believers must be vigilant in guarding their speech, ensuring that their words build up rather than tear down. This requires self-control and a commitment to truth.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_reconciliation.htm">Repentance and Reconciliation</a></b><br>If one has borne false witness, it is crucial to seek forgiveness from God and those harmed, and to work towards reconciliation and restoration.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_25.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 25</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_you_manage_god's_resources.htm">Why is dishonesty condemned in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_the_bible_condemn_lying.htm">Why is dishonesty condemned in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_a_false_witness.htm">What defines a false witness?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_use_'arrows'_for_children_in_scripture.htm">(Psalm 127:4-5) Why use a militaristic metaphor (arrows) for children if other parts of Scripture promote peace and nonviolence?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/25.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(18) <span class= "bld">A maul--</span><span class= "ital">i.e.</span>, <span class= "ital">hammer, </span>connected with "malleus" and "mallet." A false witness is as mischievous as the most deadly weapons.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/25.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 18.</span> - Hebrew, <span class="cmt_word">A maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow - a man that beareth false witness against his neighbour</span> (see on Ver. 11). One who bears false witness against his neighbour prepares for him the instruments of death, such as those mentioned here. "A maul" (<span class="accented">mephits</span>), usually a heavy wooden hammer (compare <span class="accented">malleus</span> and "mallet"); here a club, or mace, used in battle, <span class="greek">ῤόπαλον</span> (Septuagint; comp. <a href="/jeremiah/51-20.htm">Jeremiah 51:20</a>). There is a kind of climax in the three offensive weapons named - the club bruises, the sword inflicts wounds, the arrow pierces to the heart; and the three may represent the various baneful effects of false testimony, how it bruises reputation, spoils possessions, deprives of life. The second clause is from the Decalogue (<a href="/exodus/20-16.htm">Exodus 20:16</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/25-18.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">[Like] a club</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵפִ֣יץ</span> <span class="translit">(mê·p̄îṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4650.htm">Strong's 4650: </a> </span><span class="str2">Scatterer, disperser</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or sword</span><br /><span class="heb">וְ֭חֶרֶב</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḥe·reḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2719.htm">Strong's 2719: </a> </span><span class="str2">Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword</span><br /><br /><span class="word">or sharp</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁנ֑וּן</span> <span class="translit">(šā·nūn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8150.htm">Strong's 8150: </a> </span><span class="str2">To point, to pierce, to inculcate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">arrow</span><br /><span class="heb">וְחֵ֣ץ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḥêṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2671.htm">Strong's 2671: </a> </span><span class="str2">A piercer, an arrow, a wound, thunderbolt, the shaft of a, spear</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[is] a man</span><br /><span class="heb">אִ֥ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who bears</span><br /><span class="heb">עֹנֶ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(‘ō·neh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6030.htm">Strong's 6030: </a> </span><span class="str2">To answer, respond</span><br /><br /><span class="word">FALSE</span><br /><span class="heb">שָֽׁקֶר׃</span> <span class="translit">(šā·qer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8267.htm">Strong's 8267: </a> </span><span class="str2">Deception, disappointment, falsehood</span><br /><br /><span class="word">witness</span><br /><span class="heb">עֵ֣ד</span> <span class="translit">(‘êḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5707.htm">Strong's 5707: </a> </span><span class="str2">A witness, testimony, a recorder, prince</span><br /><br /><span class="word">against his neighbor.</span><br /><span class="heb">בְ֝רֵעֵ֗הוּ</span> <span class="translit">(ḇə·rê·‘ê·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7453.htm">Strong's 7453: </a> </span><span class="str2">Friend, companion, fellow</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/25-18.htm">Proverbs 25:18 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/25-18.htm">Proverbs 25:18 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/25-18.htm">Proverbs 25:18 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/25-18.htm">Proverbs 25:18 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/25-18.htm">Proverbs 25:18 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/25-18.htm">Proverbs 25:18 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/25-18.htm">Proverbs 25:18 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/25-18.htm">Proverbs 25:18 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/25-18.htm">Proverbs 25:18 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/25-18.htm">Proverbs 25:18 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/25-18.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 25:18 A man who gives false testimony against (Prov. 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