Exodus 20:16
New International Version
“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

New Living Translation
“You must not testify falsely against your neighbor.

English Standard Version
“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

Berean Standard Bible
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

King James Bible
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

New King James Version
“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

New American Standard Bible
“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

NASB 1995
“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

NASB 1977
“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

Legacy Standard Bible
“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

Amplified Bible
“You shall not testify falsely [that is, lie, withhold, or manipulate the truth] against your neighbor (any person).

Christian Standard Bible
Do not give false testimony against your neighbor.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Do not give false testimony against your neighbor.

American Standard Version
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.

Contemporary English Version
Do not tell lies about others.

English Revised Version
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Never lie when you testify about your neighbor.

Good News Translation
"Do not accuse anyone falsely.

International Standard Version
"You are not to testify falsely against your neighbor.

NET Bible
"You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

New Heart English Bible
"Do not give false testimony against your neighbor.

Webster's Bible Translation
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

World English Bible
“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
You do not answer [with] a false testimony against your neighbor.

Young's Literal Translation
'Thou dost not answer against thy neighbour a false testimony.

Smith's Literal Translation
Thou shalt not testify against thy friend for falsehood.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

Catholic Public Domain Version
You shall not speak false testimony against your neighbor.

New American Bible
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

New Revised Standard Version
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
You shall not testify a false testimony against your neighbor.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917


Brenton Septuagint Translation
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Ten Commandments
15You shall not steal. 16You shall not bear FALSE witness against your neighbor. 17You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, or his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”…

Cross References
Proverbs 19:5
A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape.

Proverbs 6:16-19
There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him: / haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, / a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that run swiftly to evil, ...

Leviticus 19:11
You must not steal. You must not lie or deceive one another.

Deuteronomy 19:16-19
If a false witness testifies against someone, accusing him of a crime, / both parties to the dispute must stand in the presence of the LORD, before the priests and judges who are in office at that time. / The judges shall investigate thoroughly, and if the witness is proven to be a liar who has falsely accused his brother, ...

Psalm 15:2-3
He who walks with integrity and practices righteousness, who speaks the truth from his heart, / who has no slander on his tongue, who does no harm to his neighbor, who casts no scorn on his friend,

Zechariah 8:16-17
These are the things you must do: Speak truth to one another, render true and sound judgments in your gates, / do not plot evil in your hearts against your neighbor, and do not love to swear falsely, for I hate all these things,” declares the LORD.

Proverbs 12:22
Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight.

Psalm 101:5
Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret, I will put to silence; the one with haughty eyes and a proud heart, I will not endure.

Matthew 15:19
For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander.

Colossians 3:9
Do not lie to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices,

Ephesians 4:25
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one another.

James 4:11
Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. And if you judge the law, you are not a practitioner of the law, but a judge of it.

1 Peter 2:1
Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander.

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,

Romans 13:9
The commandments “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and any other commandments, are summed up in this one decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”


Treasury of Scripture

You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

Exodus 23:6,7
Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause…

Leviticus 19:11,16
Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another…

Deuteronomy 19:15-21
One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established…

Jump to Previous
Bear Neighbor Neighbour Testimony Witness
Jump to Next
Bear Neighbor Neighbour Testimony Witness
Exodus 20
1. The ten commandments are spoken by Jehovah
18. The people are afraid, but Moses comforts them
21. Idolatry is forbidden
23. Of what sort the altar should be














You shall not bear false witness
This commandment is part of the Decalogue, given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai. Bearing false witness refers to giving untrue testimony, particularly in a legal context. In ancient Israel, the legal system relied heavily on the testimony of witnesses, as there was no forensic evidence or modern investigative techniques. False testimony could lead to unjust outcomes, including wrongful punishment or even death. This commandment underscores the importance of truthfulness and integrity in maintaining justice and social order. The principle of truth-telling is echoed throughout Scripture, such as in Proverbs 12:22, which states, "Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who act faithfully are his delight."

against your neighbor.
The term "neighbor" in this context refers to fellow members of the community, emphasizing the relational aspect of the commandment. In the broader biblical narrative, "neighbor" extends beyond immediate community to include all people, as seen in Jesus' teaching in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). The commandment highlights the ethical responsibility individuals have towards one another, promoting trust and harmony within the community. In a New Testament context, this principle is expanded in Ephesians 4:25, where believers are instructed to "put away falsehood" and "speak the truth with his neighbor," reflecting the call to live in truth as part of the body of Christ.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The prophet and leader of the Israelites who received the Ten Commandments from God on Mount Sinai.

2. Israelites
The chosen people of God, who were delivered from slavery in Egypt and were given the Law to guide their covenant relationship with God.

3. Mount Sinai
The mountain where God gave Moses the Ten Commandments, including the commandment against bearing false witness.

4. God
The divine lawgiver who established the moral and ethical standards for His people through the commandments.

5. Neighbor
In the context of this commandment, a fellow member of the community or society, emphasizing the importance of truthfulness in relationships.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Truthfulness
Truthfulness is foundational to trust and integrity in relationships. Bearing false witness undermines community and personal integrity.

The Impact of False Witness
False testimony can lead to injustice, harm reputations, and destroy relationships. It is a sin against both God and neighbor.

Guarding Our Speech
Believers are called to be mindful of their words, ensuring they reflect truth and love, as our speech is a reflection of our heart.

Accountability to God
As followers of Christ, we are accountable to God for our words. We must strive to uphold His standards of truth in all our interactions.

Building a Culture of Honesty
In our communities, we should promote a culture of honesty and integrity, encouraging others to speak truthfully and uphold justice.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Exodus 20:16?

2. What does "false testimony" mean in the context of Exodus 20:16?

3. How can we ensure our words align with Exodus 20:16's commandment?

4. How does Exodus 20:16 relate to Jesus' teachings on truthfulness?

5. Why is honesty crucial in maintaining Christian community integrity?

6. How can we encourage others to uphold Exodus 20:16 in daily life?

7. How does Exodus 20:16 define truth in a legal and moral context?

8. Why is bearing false witness considered a sin in Exodus 20:16?

9. How does Exodus 20:16 relate to modern concepts of justice and integrity?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 20?

11. Is lying against God's teachings?

12. What does the Bible say about cheating in school?

13. What is the Bible's stance on snitching?

14. Is it sinful to lie?
What Does Exodus 20:16 Mean
You

– The command starts personally: “You” means every listener and reader is addressed directly.

– Scripture consistently places moral responsibility on individuals. Joshua said, “But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:15); Paul exhorts Timothy, “Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching” (1 Timothy 4:16).

– By singling out “you,” God eliminates excuses that blame culture, upbringing, or peer pressure (Romans 14:12: “So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.”).


Shall not bear

– “Shall not” is an unequivocal prohibition, not a suggestion. The same absolute wording appears in the preceding commands—“You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13)—showing God’s moral law is fixed.

– “Bear” implies actively carrying or presenting something. We are accountable not only for speech but for any action that transmits untruth—emails, social media shares, silent nods, even body language (Ephesians 4:25: “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor.”).


False witness

– A “witness” is testimony conveyed about someone or something. False witness is deliberate misrepresentation—lying, slander, gossip, exaggeration, omitting vital facts.

Proverbs 6:16-19 lists “a lying tongue” and “a false witness who pours out lies” among the seven things the LORD hates.

– Jesus deepens the standard: “Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’” (Matthew 5:37), showing truthfulness must permeate everyday speech, not just courtroom testimony.

Revelation 21:8 warns that “all liars” face judgment, underscoring the seriousness God places on truth.


Against your neighbor

– “Neighbor” covers more than immediate family next door; Jesus expanded it to anyone we encounter (Luke 10:29-37, the Good Samaritan).

– Bearing false witness is especially grievous because it harms relationships, reputations, and community trust. Proverbs 25:18 likens it to “a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow.”

– God ties love for neighbor to truth telling: “Love does no wrong to its neighbor” (Romans 13:10). Speaking truth is an act of love, while lies are violence against community.


summary

Exodus 20:16 commands every believer to refrain from any form of deceit that damages another person. God’s people must actively uphold truth, reflecting His character as the God “who cannot lie” (Titus 1:2). Truthful speech honors God, protects neighbors, and strengthens the witness of those who bear Christ’s name.

(16) Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.--Our fourth duty to our neighbour is not to injure his character. Our great poet has said--

"Who steals my purse, steals trash,

But he who filches from me my good name,

Robs me of that which not enriches him,

Yet leaves me poor indeed,"--

Thus indicating the fact that calumny may injure a man more than robbery. False witness is, of course, worst when given in a court of justice; and this offence has generally been made punishable by law. It was peculiar to the Hebrew legislation that it not only forbade and punished (Deuteronomy 19:16-20) false testimony of this extreme kind, but denounced also the far commoner, yet scarcely less injurious, practice of spreading untrue reports about others, thus injuring them in men's esteem. The ninth commandment is broad enough in its terms to cover both forms of the sin, though pointing especially to the form which is of the more heinous character. Lest its wider bearing should be overlooked, the Divine legislator added later a distinct prohibition of calumny in the words. "Thou shalt not raise a false report" (Exodus 23:1).

Verse 16. - Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour. False witness is of two kinds, public and private. We may either seek to damage our neighbour by giving false evidence against him in a court of justice, or simply calumniate him to others in our social intercourse with them. The form of the expression here used points especially to false witness of the former kind, but does not exclude the latter, which is expressly forbidden in Exodus 23:1. The wrong done to a man by false evidence in a court may be a wrong of the very extremest kind - may be actual murder (1 Kings 21:13) More often, however, it results in an injury to his property or his character. As fatal to the administration of justice, false witness in courts has been severely visited by penalties in all well-regulated states. At Athens the false witness was liable to a heavy fine, and if thrice convicted lost all his civil rights. At Rome, by a law of the Twelve Tables, he was hurled headlong from the Tarpeian rock. In Egypt, false witness was punished by amputation of the nose and ears (Records of the Past, vol. 8. p. 65). Private calumny may sometimes involve as serious consequences to individuals as false witness in a court. It may ruin a man; it may madden him; it may drive him to suicide. But it does not disorganise the whole framework of society, like perjured evidence before a tribunal; and states generally are content to leave the injured party to the remedy of an action-at-law. The Mosaic legislation was probably the first wherein it was positively forbidden to circulate reports to the prejudice of another, and where consequently this was a criminal offence.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
You shall not
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

bear
תַעֲנֶ֥ה (ṯa·‘ă·neh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 6030: To answer, respond

FALSE
שָֽׁקֶר׃ (šā·qer)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8267: Deception, disappointment, falsehood

witness
עֵ֥ד (‘êḏ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5707: A witness, testimony, a recorder, prince

against your neighbor.
בְרֵעֲךָ֖ (ḇə·rê·‘ă·ḵā)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 7453: Friend, companion, fellow


Links
Exodus 20:16 NIV
Exodus 20:16 NLT
Exodus 20:16 ESV
Exodus 20:16 NASB
Exodus 20:16 KJV

Exodus 20:16 BibleApps.com
Exodus 20:16 Biblia Paralela
Exodus 20:16 Chinese Bible
Exodus 20:16 French Bible
Exodus 20:16 Catholic Bible

OT Law: Exodus 20:16 You shall not give false testimony against (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 20:15
Top of Page
Top of Page