Bible Strands
Exodus 20:16
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — God delivers this command to Israel at Mount Sinai as part of the foundational covenant code. The directive addresses the assembled community regarding direct interpersonal conduct.
The words — The Hebrew תַעֲנֶה (ta.'a.Neh) translates literally as "you must testify," paired with שָֽׁקֶר (Sha.ker), meaning "falsehood." Combined with the negation לֹֽא (lo'-), they establish a direct prohibition against false testimony.
The thread — This prohibition appears in Proverbs 19:5, which states a false witness will not escape punishment, and is cited by Jesus in Matthew 19:18 as a core commandment. Psalm 15:3 further connects truthful speech to righteous living.
Why it lands — The text commands the reader to refrain from giving false testimony against a neighbor. It requires honest speech in legal and social contexts before any application to modern ethical systems.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 19:5 A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape.
- Matthew 19:18 “Which ones?” the man asked. Jesus answered, “‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness,
- Psalms 15:3 who has no slander on his tongue, who does no harm to his neighbor, who casts no scorn on his friend,
- Exodus 23:1 “You shall not spread a false report. Do not join the wicked by being a malicious witness.
- Deuteronomy 19:15 A lone witness is not sufficient to establish any wrongdoing or sin against a man, regardless of what offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.
- Matthew 26:59 Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking false testimony against Jesus in order to put Him to death.
- Proverbs 10:18 The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.
- Acts 6:13 where they presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law.
- Exodus 23:6 You shall not deny justice to the poor in their lawsuits.
- Leviticus 19:11 You must not steal. You must not lie or deceive one another.