Deuteronomy 5:20
Deuteronomy 5:20 in Multiple Translations
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbour.
Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbor.
Do not give false witness against your neighbour;
You must not give false evidence against others.
Neither shalt thou beare false witnesse against thy neighbour.
'Thou dost not answer against thy neighbour — a false testimony.
“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbor.
Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbour.
Do not tell lies about anyone when you are speaking in a court.
Berean Amplified Bible — Deuteronomy 5:20
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Deuteronomy 5:20 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/לֹֽא
תַעֲנֶ֥ה
בְ/רֵֽעֲ/ךָ֖
עֵ֥ד
שָֽׁוְא
וְ/לֹֽא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
תַעֲנֶ֥ה
ʻânâh
H6030
to dwell
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
בְ/רֵֽעֲ/ךָ֖
rêaʻ
H7453
neighbor
Prep | N-ms | Suff
עֵ֥ד
ʻêd
H5707
witness
N-ms
שָֽׁוְא
shâvᵉʼ
H7723
vanity
N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Deuteronomy 5:20
וְ/לֹֽא
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
תַעֲנֶ֥ה
ʻânâh
H6030
"to dwell"
V-Qal-Imperf-2ms
This verb means to sing or make music, but also to respond or give an answer. In the Bible, it is used to describe praising God in song or responding to a question. The KJV translates it as 'sing' or 'answer'.
Definition: (Qal) to dwell
Usage: Occurs in 316 OT verses. KJV: give account, afflict (by mistake for H6031 (עָנָה)), (cause to, give) answer, bring low (by mistake for H6031 (עָנָה)), cry, hear, Leannoth, lift up, say, [idiom] scholar, (give a) shout, sing (together by course), speak, testify, utter, (bear) witness. See also H1042 (בֵּית עֲנוֹת), H1043 (בֵּית עֲנָת). See also: Genesis 18:27; 2 Samuel 14:19; Job 40:2.
בְ/רֵֽעֲ/ךָ֖
rêaʻ
H7453
"neighbor"
Prep | N-ms | Suff
A neighbor or friend is what this word means, describing someone close to you. It can also refer to a companion, fellow citizen, or another person, and is often translated as brother or friend.
Definition: 1) friend, companion, fellow, another person 1a) friend, intimate 1b) fellow, fellow-citizen, another person (weaker sense) 1c) other, another (reciprocal phrase)
Usage: Occurs in 173 OT verses. KJV: brother, companion, fellow, friend, husband, lover, neighbour, [idiom] (an-) other. See also: Genesis 11:3; Job 42:7; Psalms 12:3.
עֵ֥ד
ʻêd
H5707
"witness"
N-ms
This Hebrew word means witness or testimony, describing someone who sees or experiences something. It's used in the Bible to talk about people who testify to what they've seen, like in Deuteronomy when describing legal witnesses.
Definition: 1) witness 1a) witness, testimony, evidence (of things) 1b) witness (of people)
Usage: Occurs in 60 OT verses. KJV: witness. See also: Genesis 31:44; Psalms 27:12; Psalms 35:11.
שָֽׁוְא
shâvᵉʼ
H7723
"vanity"
N-ms
Vanity or falsehood, this word describes something empty, useless, or deceitful, like the idols worshipped by the Israelites in Isaiah 41:29, or the lies and false promises spoken by false prophets in Jeremiah 23:25.
Definition: : false 1) emptiness, vanity, falsehood 1a) emptiness, nothingness, vanity 1b) emptiness of speech, lying 1c) worthlessness (of conduct) Also means: shav (שָׁוְא ": vain" H7723H)
Usage: Occurs in 48 OT verses. KJV: false(-ly), lie, lying, vain, vanity. See also: Exodus 20:7; Isaiah 1:13; Psalms 12:3.
Study Notes — Deuteronomy 5:20
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Deuteronomy 5:20 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 5:20
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 5:20
- Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 5:20
- Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 5:20
- Whedon's Commentary on Deuteronomy 5:20
- Sermons on Deuteronomy 5:20
Context — The Ten Commandments
18You shall not commit adultery.
19You shall not steal.
20You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
21You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. You shall not covet your neighbor’s house or field, or his manservant or maidservant, or his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” 22The LORD spoke these commandments in a loud voice to your whole assembly out of the fire, the cloud, and the deep darkness on the mountain; He added nothing more. And He wrote them on two tablets of stone and gave them to me.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exodus 20:16 | You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. |
| 2 | Exodus 23:1 | “You shall not spread a false report. Do not join the wicked by being a malicious witness. |
| 3 | Proverbs 19:9 | A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who pours out lies will perish. |
| 4 | Proverbs 19:5 | A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape. |
| 5 | Malachi 3:5 | “Then I will draw near to you for judgment. And I will be a swift witness against sorcerers and adulterers and perjurers, against oppressors of the widowed and fatherless, and against those who defraud laborers of their wages and deny justice to the foreigner but do not fear Me,” says the LORD of Hosts. |
| 6 | Deuteronomy 19:16–21 | 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, you must do to him as he intended to do to his brother. So you must purge the evil from among you. Then the rest of the people will hear and be afraid, and they will never again do anything so evil among you. You must show no pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, and foot for foot. |
| 7 | 1 Kings 21:13 | And the two scoundrels came in and sat opposite Naboth, and these men testified against him before the people, saying, “Naboth has cursed both God and the king!” So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death. |
| 8 | Proverbs 6:19 | a false witness who gives false testimony, and one who stirs up discord among brothers. |
Deuteronomy 5:20 Summary
This verse means that we should always tell the truth and not lie about our neighbors, because lying can hurt them and damage their reputation, as seen in Psalm 101:5. We should strive to be honest and trustworthy in all our interactions, just like God is truthful and faithful, as seen in Numbers 23:19. By speaking the truth in love, we can build strong, healthy relationships with those around us, as encouraged in Ephesians 4:15. Remember, honesty is a fundamental part of loving our neighbors as ourselves, as commanded in Mark 12:31.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to bear false witness against my neighbor?
To bear false witness means to lie or give false testimony about someone, which can cause harm to their reputation or well-being, as seen in Exodus 20:16 and Leviticus 19:11.
Is this commandment only about giving false testimony in a court of law?
No, this commandment is broader, encompassing any situation where we might lie or deceive someone about our neighbor, as emphasized in Colossians 3:9-10, where we are called to put off falsehood and speak the truth.
How does this commandment relate to other commandments, such as not stealing or committing adultery?
All these commandments are interconnected, as they all involve respecting and honoring our neighbors, as seen in Leviticus 19:18, where we are commanded to love our neighbors as ourselves.
What is the punishment for bearing false witness against my neighbor?
In the Old Testament, bearing false witness was punishable by law, as seen in Deuteronomy 19:16-19, where the false witness would receive the punishment they had sought for the innocent person.
Reflection Questions
- In what ways might I be bearing false witness against my neighbors in my daily life, and how can I repent and change my behavior?
- How can I balance the need to speak the truth with the need to be kind and compassionate towards others, as seen in Ephesians 4:15?
- What are some ways I can cultivate a culture of honesty and integrity in my own life and in my community, as encouraged in Proverbs 10:9?
- How can I use my words to build up and edify my neighbors, rather than tearing them down with false or hurtful speech, as seen in 1 Thessalonians 5:11?
Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 5:20
[See comments on Deuteronomy 5:17].
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 5:20
Thou shalt not kill. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 5:20
(17-20) The wording of these four commandments is the same with that of Exodus 20.
Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 5:20
17–20. The Sixth to the Ninth Commandments, as in Exodus 20:13-16, except that for the simple not used there, we have here and not = neither, to introduce the Seventh, Eighth and Ninth Commandments; and that in the Ninth instead of sheḳ ?er = false of Exo 20:16 there is the wider term shav’ = vain, groundless, as in the Third Commandment. For this term see on Exodus 20:7; and cp. Exodus 23:1 (E), where it is applied to a report or rumour.
Whedon's Commentary on Deuteronomy 5:20
OF THE TEN , Deuteronomy 5:6-21.Here, on the plains of Moab, in sight of the Land of Promise, thirty-eight years after the first announcement of the law on Sinai, Moses repeats the code which Jehovah
Sermons on Deuteronomy 5:20
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(Exodus) Exodus 20:8-17 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the fourth commandment, which is to remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. He explains that the Sabbath was given to the nation of Israe |
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Be Filled With the Holy Spirit - 1 by Zacharias Tanee Fomum | In this sermon, the speaker asks the audience to reflect on what has changed in their hearts in the last five years. He emphasizes the importance of identifying and removing negati |
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Tongue Taming by David P. Murray | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the power and impact of our words. He uses various illustrations to emphasize how something small, like a bit in a horse's mouth or a rudder |
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(Hebrews) ch.3:7-4:11 by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of not hardening our hearts when we hear God's voice. He refers to the example of the Israelites who rebelled against God and |
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(Colossians) Staying Connected to the Head by Brian Brodersen | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the importance of staying connected to God and not getting caught up in man-made regulations. He references verses 20-23 from the Bible, whic |
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Check Your Weight - on the Scales of Scripture by Erlo Stegen | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the concept of being bound by sin and the consequences of not repenting. He uses vivid imagery to describe the stench and bondage of sin, co |
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Guidelines to Freedom Part 8 - the Truth Matters by Alistair Begg | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the challenge of delivering things to people on time. He shares a strategy of overestimating the delivery time to avoid disappointing the reci |