Definition:
A false witness is an individual who deliberately provides untrue testimony or information, particularly in a legal context. This act is considered a serious offense in biblical teachings, as it undermines justice and truth, which are foundational to God's character and His commandments.

Biblical References:
The concept of false witness is addressed multiple times throughout the Bible, emphasizing its moral and spiritual implications.

1. The Ten Commandments:
The prohibition against bearing false witness is explicitly stated in the Ten Commandments. Exodus 20:16 declares, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor." This commandment underscores the importance of truthfulness and integrity in maintaining social order and justice.

2. Proverbs:
The Book of Proverbs frequently warns against the dangers and consequences of false testimony. Proverbs 19:5 states, "A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape." This highlights the inevitable divine justice that awaits those who engage in deceit.

3. Judicial Context:
In the context of Israelite law, bearing false witness was a grave offense with severe consequences. Deuteronomy 19:16-19 outlines the procedure for dealing with a false witness: "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 must make a thorough investigation, and if the witness proves to be a liar who has falsely accused his brother, you must do to him as he intended to do to his brother. So you must purge the evil from among you."

4. New Testament Teachings:
Jesus Christ and the apostles also addressed the issue of false witness. In Matthew 15:19 , Jesus lists false testimony among the evils that come from the heart: "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander." The apostle Paul, in his epistles, encourages believers to speak truthfully to one another, as seen in 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."

Moral and Spiritual Implications:
Bearing false witness is not merely a legal issue but a moral and spiritual one. It reflects a heart that is not aligned with God's truth and righteousness. The act of lying or providing false testimony is seen as a direct violation of God's nature, who is described as the God of truth (Isaiah 65:16). It disrupts community harmony, damages reputations, and can lead to unjust outcomes.

Consequences:
The Bible consistently warns that those who bear false witness will face divine judgment. The consequences are both temporal and eternal, as falsehood leads to broken relationships and societal discord, and ultimately, it incurs God's wrath. The call to truthfulness is a call to reflect God's character and to uphold justice and righteousness in all interactions.Mark 10:19
You know the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honor your father and mother.
Topicalbible.org

James 5:12
But above all things, my brothers, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yes be yes; and your no, no; lest you fall into condemnation.
Topicalbible.org

John 8:44
You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and stayed not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Topicalbible.org

Revelation 21:8
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Topicalbible.org

Matthew 23:27
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you are like to white washed sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.
Topicalbible.org

False Witness

FALSE SWEARING; FALSE WITNESS

See OATH; PERJURY; CRIMES.

5576. pseudomartureo -- to bear false witness, give false ...
... to bear false witness, give false testimony. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration:
pseudomartureo Phonetic Spelling: (psyoo-dom-ar-too-reh'-o) Short Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5576.htm - 6k

5575 -- false witness.
false witness. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Phonetic Spelling: (psyoo-dom-ar'-
toor) Short Definition: a false witness Definition: a false witness. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5575.htm - 6k

5577. pseudomarturia -- false witness, false testimony
... false witness, false testimony. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration:
pseudomarturia Phonetic Spelling: (psyoo-dom-ar-too-ree'-ah) Short Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5577.htm - 6k

5577a. pseudomarturia -- false witness, false testimony
... 5577, 5577a. pseudomarturia. 5577b . false witness, false testimony.
Transliteration: pseudomarturia Short Definition: witness. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5577a.htm - 5k

5577b. pseudomartus -- a false witness
... 5577a, 5577b. pseudomartus. 5578 . a false witness. Transliteration:
pseudomartus Short Definition: witnesses. Word Origin from ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5577b.htm - 5k

For, Concerning False Witness, which is Set Down in the Ten ...
... Section 36. For, concerning FALSE witness, which is set down in the ten
commands of the? 36. For, concerning false witness, which ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on lying/section 36 for concerning false.htm

Thou Shalt not Bear False Witness against Thy Neighbor.
... Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. Over ... For to bear false
witness is nothing else than a work of the tongue. Now ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/luther/the large catechism/thou shalt not bear false.htm

Thou Shalt not Bear False Witness against Thy Neighbor.
... Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. This Commandment
seems small, and yet is so great, that he who would rightly ...
/.../luther/a treatise on good works/thou shalt not bear false.htm

Petilianus Said: "It is Written, Thou Shalt not Bear False Witness ...
... Book II. Chapter 58. " 131. Petilianus said: "It is written, Thou shalt
not bear FALSE witness against thy? "131. Petilianus ...
/.../chapter 58 131 petilianus.htm

Second Stage of Jewish Trial. Jesus Condemned by Caiaphas and the ...
... it was more in the nature of a caucus, or committee of the whole.] ^b 55 Now the
chief priests and the whole council sought ^a false witness against Jesus, ^b ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxxvi second stage of jewish.htm

The Condemnation which Condemns the Judges
... For many bare false witness against Him, but their witness agreed not together.57.
And there arose certain, and bare false witness against Him, saying, 58. ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture d/the condemnation which condemns the.htm

The Real High Priest and his Counterfeit
... Now the chief priests, and elders, and all the council, sought false witness against
Jesus, to put Him to death; 60. ... So they 'sought false witness, ... ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the real high priest and.htm

Ninth Commandment
... Ninth Commandment. "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor."
Two out of the Ten Commandments deal with sins that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/ninth commandment.htm

Before Caiaphas
... For many bare false witness against Him, and their witness agreed not together.
And there stood up certain, and bare false witness ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 14 53-65 before caiaphas.htm

The Trial Before the Jewish Authorities.
... For many bare false witness against him, and their witness agreed not together.
And there stood up certain, and bare false witness ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/the trial before the jewish.htm

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