KJV ORIGINAL
A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
A person who lies about their neighbor in court is like a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
This verse is saying that lying about someone else causes serious damage, like being attacked with deadly weapons.
📚 Historical Context
In ancient Israel, bearing false witness was especially serious because legal decisions often depended entirely on witness testimony, with no other evidence available. The community relied heavily on truthful testimony to maintain justice, so false witnesses could destroy innocent lives. This proverb uses three different weapons to emphasize how destructive lies can be to relationships and communities.
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