Proverbs 25:18

Proverbs 25:18 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
• English Standard Version (ESV)A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.
• New King James Version (NKJV)A man who bears false witness against his neighbor Is like a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow.
• New Living Translation (NLT)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.

Context of Proverbs 25:18

16If you find honey, eat just enough— too much of it, and you will vomit. 17Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house— too much of you, and they will hate you. Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor. 19Like a broken tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble. 20Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar poured on a wound, is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.

Proverbs 25:18 word by word

מֵפִ֣יץ וְ֭חֶרֶב וְחֵ֣ץ שָׁנ֑וּן אִ֥ישׁ עֹנֶ֥ה בְ֝רֵעֵ֗הוּ עֵ֣ד שָֽׁקֶר׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• A manאִישׁ'îysh · manH376
• that bearethעָנָה‛ânâh · to answerH6030
• falseשֶׁ֫קֶרsheqer · deceptionH8267
• witnessעֵד‛êd · witnessH5707
• against his neighbourרֵעַrêa‛ rêya‛ · neighborH7453
• a maulמֵפִיץmêphîyts · war-clubH4650
• and a swordחֶ֫רֶבchereb · swordH2719
• and a sharpשָׁנַןshânan · to sharpenH8150
• arrowחֵץchêts · arrowH2671

Cross-references for Proverbs 25:18

• Proverbs 12:18The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
• Psalms 52:2You who practice deceit, your tongue plots destruction; it is like a sharpened razor.
• Psalms 55:21His talk is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords.
• Psalms 57:4I am in the midst of lions; I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts— men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.
• Psalms 120:3What will he do to you, and what more besides, you deceitful tongue?
• Psalms 140:3They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent’s; the poison of vipers is on their lips.
• Jeremiah 9:3“They make ready their tongue like a bow, to shoot lies; it is not by truth that they triumph in the land. They go from one sin to another; they do not acknowledge me,” declares the Lord.
• James 3:6The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

Commentaries on Proverbs 25:18

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 18Maul - A heavy sledge hammer. The word is connected with “malleus:” its diminutive “mallet” is still in use.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 18Verse 18 A false testimony is dangerous in every thing.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 18Lying can lead to serious consequences (see Proverbs 6:16–19; 14:5, 25).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1818. A false witness is as destructive to reputation, as such weapons to the body (Pr 24:28). beareth ... witness--literally, "answereth questions," as before a judge, against his neighbor.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 25:18

• Arrow
• False Teachers
• Maul
• Sword

In the dictionaries

• Armour
• Arrow
• Arrows
• Debate
• Discover
• Heavy
• Maul
• Armor; Arms
• Hezekiah (2)
• Neighbor

Commentaries on Proverbs 25

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings