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.
• New International Version (NIV)Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor.
• 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.

Context of Proverbs 25:18

16Do you like honey? Don’t eat too much, or it will make you sick! 17Don’t visit your neighbors too often, or you will wear out your welcome. 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. 19Putting confidence in an unreliable person in times of trouble is like chewing with a broken tooth or walking on a lame foot. 20Singing cheerful songs to a person with a heavy heart is like taking someone’s coat in cold weather or pouring vinegar in a wound.

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 12:18Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.
• Psalms 52:2All day long you plot destruction. Your tongue cuts like a sharp razor; you’re an expert at telling lies.
• Psalms 55:21His words are as smooth as butter, but in his heart is war. His words are as soothing as lotion, but underneath are daggers!
• Psalms 57:4I am surrounded by fierce lions who greedily devour human prey— whose teeth pierce like spears and arrows, and whose tongues cut like swords.
• Psalms 120:3O deceptive tongue, what will God do to you? How will he increase your punishment?
• Psalms 140:3Their tongues sting like a snake; the venom of a viper drips from their lips. Interlude
• Jeremiah 9:3“My people bend their tongues like bows to shoot out lies. They refuse to stand up for the truth. They only go from bad to worse. They do not know me,” says the Lord.
• James 3:6And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.

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