Proverbs 12:17
in Proverbs 12He who speaks the truth declares what is right, but a false witness speaks deceit.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
He that uttereth truth showeth forth righteousness; But a false witness, deceit.
KJV
He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.
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This verse in Proverbs 12
Commentary
4 notes on this verseA commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
The thought which lies below the surface is that of the inseparable union between truth and justice. The end does not justify the means, and only he who breathes and utters truth makes the righteous cause clear.
This site's exposition
He who speaks the truth declares what is right
on Proverbs 12:17-22
Verses 17 to 22 gather proverbs on the tongue. Rash words are “like a piercing sword,” but “the tongue of the wise brings healing,” and “Truthful lips endure forever”. “Lying lips are detestable to the LORD,” as dishonest scales are at 11:1, and “those who deal faithfully are His delight”.
The record, by era
The Medieval Church1 voice
There is one who promises, etc. Some promise obedience to the truth, but when frightening or tempting trial provides an obstacle, they desert what they had begun, but their conscience pricks them as with a sword for their promise.
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
He that speaketh truth showeth forth righteousness,....
How the passage was read
What the Jewish commentators add
On the verses either side of this one
A fool’s anger is known within the day On the day he is angry, on that very day he lets his anger be known, for he starts a quarrel and berates his fellow in public, and his anger has no restraint.
This section is reception history: how the passage was read and kept in the Jewish tradition. Where a reading parts from an essential of the Christian faith, the section says so at that point.
Texts and citation data: Sefaria; each excerpt follows its version’s licence. 2 further sources are cited on this chapter that carry no English text this site may quote or only restate the verse.
The words behind it
7 Hebrew wordsEvery Hebrew word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Hebrew | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| יָפִ֣יחַ | yafiach | he breathes out | H6315 → | 14 times |
| אֱ֭מוּנָה | ʾemunah | faithfulness | H530 → | 49 times |
| יַגִּ֣יד | yagid | he declares | H5046 → | |
| צֶ֑דֶק | tzedek | righteousness | H6664 → | 119 times |
| וְעֵ֖ד | veed | and a witness of | H5707 → | 70 times |
| שְׁקָרִ֣ים | shekarim | lies | H8267 → | 113 times |
| מִרְמָֽה׃ | mirmah | deceit | H4820 → | 39 times |
יָפִ֣יחַhe breathes out
yafiachH6315 →14 times
אֱ֭מוּנָהfaithfulness
ʾemunahH530 →49 times
יַגִּ֣ידhe declares
yagidH5046 →
צֶ֑דֶקrighteousness
tzedekH6664 →119 times
וְעֵ֖דand a witness of
veedH5707 →70 times
שְׁקָרִ֣יםlies
shekarimH8267 →113 times
מִרְמָֽה׃deceit
mirmahH4820 →39 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Matthew 15:19For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander.
it leads to
- Mark 7:21–23
For from within the hearts of men come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery,
- Galatians 5:19–21
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery;
- Jeremiah 17:9
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?
- James 1:13–15
When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone.
- Titus 3:2–6
to malign no one, and to be peaceable and gentle, showing full consideration to everyone.
- Mark 7:21–23
Through
Proverbs 6:19a false witness who gives false testimony, and one who stirs up discord among brothers.
it leads to
- Proverbs 19:5
A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Proverbs 19:9
A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who pours out lies will perish.
Reached by 2 separate paths from here.
- Proverbs 6:14
With deceit in his heart he devises evil; he continually sows discord.
- Proverbs 19:5
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies1
About Proverbs
This page draws on Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Bede, Commentary on Proverbs; Charles Bridges, An Exposition of the Book of Proverbs; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament and John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament (1748-1763).