S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

Part of the Ten Commandments, also known as the Decalogue, this 9th commandment forbids the Israelites from bearing false witness or giving false testimony against one another (Exodus 20:16; Deuter...

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July 01 2013 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Albert Ogier Supporter

Jesus said that we should love God with everything and our neighbours as ourselves. All the law depends on these. So the first four of the commandments are the important ones. Paul refers to the fifth as the first with a promise. Surely, then, if it is the first there must be more. The next five do not say, “You must not.” Rather they are a promise (a command from God to himself if you like), that if you love God fully, then none of these things will be allowed to happen.

July 15 2022 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

Why is 'You shall not give false testimony' in the Ten Commandments?

"You shall not give false testimony" (or "bear false witness") is in the Ten Commandments to uphold justice, protect neighbours from harm, and mirror the truthful nature of God. It prohibits perjury, slander, lying, and deception that can ruin reputations, rob people of freedom, or cause severe, unjust injury to others.

The commandment "You shall not give false testimony" (or "Thou shalt not bear false witness") is included in the Ten Commandments primarily to protect justice and the integrity of the community.

Protection of Justice: In ancient Israel, legal cases relied heavily on eyewitnesses. False testimony could lead to severe, irreversible consequences, including the death of an innocent person. This law ensured that the legal system remained fair and trustworthy.

Preserving Reputation: Beyond the courtroom, the commandment protects a person's "good name" or reputation from slander, gossip, or malicious lies.

Upholding God's Character: Theology across various traditions emphasises that God is the "God of truth". Followers are expected to reflect this nature by being truthful in their speech and actions.

Social Stability: Truth-telling is viewed as the "superglue" of society; lying undermines the trust necessary for relationships, commerce, and community life to function

Some Broader Interpretations

While the original Hebrew (עד שקר, ed sheqer) specifically refers to a false witness in a legal setting, many traditions interpret it.

Prohibition of all lying: It is often seen as a general mandate for honesty in all areas of life.

Slander and Gossip: Speaking ill of others, even if the information is true, is frequently viewed as a violation if the intent is to harm their standing.

Integrity of Heart: It encourages internal honesty, requiring that one's outward words align with their inward thoughts and intentions.

Exodus 20:16 ESV "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor."

"Thou shalt not bear false witness" forbids: 

"1. Speaking falsely in any matter, lying, equivocating, and in any way devising and designing to deceive our neighbour. 

2. Speaking unjustly against our neighbour, to the prejudice of his reputation; and (which involves the guilty of both).

3. This means that if you say something false, a partial truth, or a twisting of the truth that hurts someone else, that is being a false witness, whether that's physically, professionally, financially, emotionally, psychologically, or reputationally. Whether you meant to hurt them or not. It is viewed as a severe sin that destroys justice, harms neighbours, and is considered abominable by God. Scripture equates lying witnesses to dangerous weapons like swords or arrows, warns that they will not go unpunished, and lists it among things God hates.

1 day ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report