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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Exodus 20:16 You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/20-16.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/02_Exo_20_16.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 20:16 - The Ten Commandments" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor." /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad16.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/exodus/20-15.htm" title="Exodus 20:15">◄</a> Exodus 20:16 <a href="/exodus/20-17.htm" title="Exodus 20:17">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/exodus/20.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/exodus/20.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/exodus/20.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“You must not testify falsely against your neighbor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/exodus/20.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/exodus/20.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/exodus/20.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/20.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/20.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/20.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/20.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/20.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/20.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“You shall not testify falsely [that is, lie, withhold, or manipulate the truth] against your neighbor (any person).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/20.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not give false testimony against your neighbor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/exodus/20.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Do not give false testimony against your neighbor. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/20.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/exodus/20.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Do not tell lies about others. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/20.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/20.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"Never lie when you testify about your neighbor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/20.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"Do not accuse anyone falsely. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/20.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"You are not to testify falsely against your neighbor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/20.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/20.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/20.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"Do not give false testimony against your neighbor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/20.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/20.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/20.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />You do not answer [with] a false testimony against your neighbor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/20.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'Thou dost not answer against thy neighbour a false testimony.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/20.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Thou shalt not testify against thy friend for falsehood.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/20.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/20.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />You shall not speak false testimony against your neighbor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/20.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/20.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/20.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/20.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />You shall not testify a false testimony against your neighbor.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/20.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/20.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/20-16.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/kVae3PiKqhs?start=5047" 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/exodus/20.htm">The Ten Commandments</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">15</span>You shall not steal. <span class="reftext">16</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">You shall not</a> <a href="/hebrew/6030.htm" title="6030: ṯa·‘ă·neh (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To answer, respond.">bear</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·‘ă·ḵā (Prep-b:: N-msc:: 2ms) -- Friend, companion, fellow. Or reya2; from ra'ah; an associate.">against your neighbor.</a> </span><span class="reftext">17</span>You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, or his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”…<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="/proverbs/19-5.htm">Proverbs 19:5</a></span><br />A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/6-16.htm">Proverbs 6:16-19</a></span><br />There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him: / haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, / a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that run swiftly to evil, ...<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="/deuteronomy/19-16.htm">Deuteronomy 19:16-19</a></span><br />If a false witness testifies against someone, accusing him of a crime, / both parties to the dispute must stand in the presence of the LORD, before the priests and judges who are in office at that time. / The judges shall investigate thoroughly, and if the witness is proven to be a liar who has falsely accused his brother, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/15-2.htm">Psalm 15:2-3</a></span><br />He who walks with integrity and practices righteousness, who speaks the truth from his heart, / who has no slander on his tongue, who does no harm to his neighbor, who casts no scorn on his friend,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/8-16.htm">Zechariah 8:16-17</a></span><br />These are the things you must do: Speak truth to one another, render true and sound judgments in your gates, / do not plot evil in your hearts against your neighbor, and do not love to swear falsely, for I hate all these things,” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/12-22.htm">Proverbs 12:22</a></span><br />Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight.<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="/matthew/15-19.htm">Matthew 15:19</a></span><br />For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander.<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="/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="/james/4-11.htm">James 4:11</a></span><br />Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. And if you judge the law, you are not a practitioner of the law, but a judge of it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/2-1.htm">1 Peter 2:1</a></span><br />Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/19-18.htm">Matthew 19:18</a></span><br />“Which ones?” the man asked. Jesus answered, “‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/13-9.htm">Romans 13:9</a></span><br />The commandments “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and any other commandments, are summed up in this one decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/23-6.htm">Exodus 23:6,7</a></b></br> Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/19-11.htm">Leviticus 19:11,16</a></b></br> Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/19-15.htm">Deuteronomy 19:15-21</a></b></br> One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/19-4.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/exodus/18-16.htm">Neighbor</a> <a href="/exodus/18-16.htm">Neighbour</a> <a href="/exodus/16-34.htm">Testimony</a> <a href="/exodus/4-8.htm">Witness</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/21-4.htm">Bear</a> <a href="/exodus/21-14.htm">Neighbor</a> <a href="/exodus/21-14.htm">Neighbour</a> <a href="/exodus/25-16.htm">Testimony</a> <a href="/exodus/22-13.htm">Witness</a><div class="vheading2">Exodus 20</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/20-1.htm">The ten commandments are spoken by Jehovah</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/20-18.htm">The people are afraid, but Moses comforts them</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/20-21.htm">Idolatry is forbidden</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/20-23.htm">Of what sort the altar should be</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/exodus/20.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/exodus/20.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>You shall not bear false witness</b><br>This commandment is part of the Decalogue, given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai. Bearing false witness refers to giving untrue testimony, particularly in a legal context. In ancient Israel, the legal system relied heavily on the testimony of witnesses, as there was no forensic evidence or modern investigative techniques. False testimony could lead to unjust outcomes, including wrongful punishment or even death. This commandment underscores the importance of truthfulness and integrity in maintaining justice and social order. The principle of truth-telling is echoed throughout Scripture, such as in <a href="/proverbs/12-22.htm">Proverbs 12:22</a>, which states, "Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who act faithfully are his delight."<p><b>against your neighbor.</b><br>The term "neighbor" in this context refers to fellow members of the community, emphasizing the relational aspect of the commandment. In the broader biblical narrative, "neighbor" extends beyond immediate community to include all people, as seen in Jesus' teaching in the parable of the Good Samaritan (<a href="/luke/10-25.htm">Luke 10:25-37</a>). The commandment highlights the ethical responsibility individuals have towards one another, promoting trust and harmony within the community. In a New Testament context, this principle is expanded in <a href="/ephesians/4-25.htm">Ephesians 4:25</a>, where believers are instructed to "put away falsehood" and "speak the truth with his neighbor," reflecting the call to live in truth as part of the body of Christ.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The prophet and leader of the Israelites who received the Ten Commandments from God on Mount Sinai.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The chosen people of God, who were delivered from slavery in Egypt and were given the Law to guide their covenant relationship with God.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/m/mount_sinai.htm">Mount Sinai</a></b><br>The mountain where God gave Moses the Ten Commandments, including the commandment against bearing false witness.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The divine lawgiver who established the moral and ethical standards for His people through the commandments.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/n/neighbor.htm">Neighbor</a></b><br>In the context of this commandment, a fellow member of the community or society, emphasizing the importance of truthfulness in relationships.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_truthfulness.htm">The Importance of Truthfulness</a></b><br>Truthfulness is foundational to trust and integrity in relationships. Bearing false witness undermines community and personal integrity.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_impact_of_false_witness.htm">The Impact of False Witness</a></b><br>False testimony can lead to injustice, harm reputations, and destroy relationships. It is a sin against both God and neighbor.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/guarding_our_speech.htm">Guarding Our Speech</a></b><br>Believers are called to be mindful of their words, ensuring they reflect truth and love, as our speech is a reflection of our heart.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/accountability_to_god.htm">Accountability to God</a></b><br>As followers of Christ, we are accountable to God for our words. We must strive to uphold His standards of truth in all our interactions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/b/building_a_culture_of_honesty.htm">Building a Culture of Honesty</a></b><br>In our communities, we should promote a culture of honesty and integrity, encouraging others to speak truthfully and uphold justice.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_exodus_20.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Exodus 20</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_lying_against_god's_teachings.htm">Is lying against God's teachings?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_school_cheating.htm">What does the Bible say about cheating in school?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_the_bible's_view_on_snitching.htm">What is the Bible's stance on snitching?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_it_sinful_to_lie.htm">Is it sinful to lie?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/exodus/20.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(16) <span class= "bld">Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.</span>--Our fourth duty to our neighbour is not to injure his character. Our great poet has said--<p>"Who steals my purse, steals trash,<p>But he who filches from me my good name,<p>Robs me of that which not enriches him,<p>Yet leaves me poor indeed,"--<p>Thus indicating the fact that calumny may injure a man more than robbery. False witness is, of course, worst when given in a court of justice; and this offence has generally been made punishable by law. It was peculiar to the Hebrew legislation that it not only forbade and punished (<a href="/context/deuteronomy/19-16.htm" title="If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong;">Deuteronomy 19:16-20</a>) false testimony of this extreme kind, but denounced also the far commoner, yet scarcely less injurious, practice of spreading untrue reports about others, thus injuring them in men's esteem. The ninth commandment is broad enough in its terms to cover both forms of the sin, though pointing especially to the form which is of the more heinous character. Lest its wider bearing should be overlooked, the Divine legislator added later a distinct prohibition of calumny in the words. "Thou shalt not raise a false report" (<a href="/exodus/23-1.htm" title="You shall not raise a false report: put not your hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.">Exodus 23:1</a>).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/20.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 16.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour</span>. False witness is of two kinds, public and private. We may either seek to damage our neighbour by giving false evidence against him in a court of justice, or simply calumniate him to others in our social intercourse with them. The form of the expression here used points especially to false witness of the former kind, but does not exclude the latter, which is expressly forbidden in <a href="/exodus/23-1.htm">Exodus 23:1</a>. The wrong done to a man by false evidence in a court may be a wrong of the very extremest kind - may be actual murder (<a href="/1_kings/21-13.htm">1 Kings 21:13</a>) More often, however, it results in an injury to his property or his character. As fatal to the administration of justice, false witness in courts has been severely visited by penalties in all well-regulated states. At Athens the false witness was liable to a heavy fine, and if thrice convicted lost all his civil rights. At Rome, by a law of the Twelve Tables, he was hurled headlong from the Tarpeian rock. In Egypt, false witness was punished by amputation of the nose and ears (<span class="accented">Records of the Past</span>, vol. 8. p. 65). Private calumny may sometimes involve as serious consequences to individuals as false witness in a court. It may ruin a man; it may madden him; it may drive him to suicide. But it does not disorganise the whole framework of society, like perjured evidence before a tribunal; and states generally are content to leave the injured party to the remedy of an action-at-law. The Mosaic legislation was probably the first wherein it was positively forbidden to circulate reports to the prejudice of another, and where consequently this was a criminal offence. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/20-16.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">You shall not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹֽא־</span> <span class="translit">(lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">bear</span><br /><span class="heb">תַעֲנֶ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(ṯa·‘ă·neh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person 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">עֵ֥ד</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 your neighbor.</span><br /><span class="heb">בְרֵעֲךָ֖</span> <span class="translit">(ḇə·rê·‘ă·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | second 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/exodus/20-16.htm">Exodus 20:16 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/20-16.htm">Exodus 20:16 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/20-16.htm">Exodus 20:16 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/20-16.htm">Exodus 20:16 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/20-16.htm">Exodus 20:16 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/20-16.htm">Exodus 20:16 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/20-16.htm">Exodus 20:16 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/20-16.htm">Exodus 20:16 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/20-16.htm">Exodus 20:16 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/20-16.htm">Exodus 20:16 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/20-16.htm">OT Law: Exodus 20:16 You shall not give false testimony against (Exo. 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