Proverbs 21:28

28 A lying witness will perish,^[a] but the one who listens will speak successfully.

Proverbs 21:28 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 21:28

A false witness shall perish
As witness he shall perish in his reputation, no credit shall be given him, he shall not be admitted an evidence, or a witness in any cause, being found a false one; and as a man, he shall be punished in body or estate by the civil magistrate, and his soul shall perish eternally, unless he has true repentance for his sin: or, a witness of lies shall perish ^F11 it may be applied to any teacher of false doctrine; and to the man of sin, and his followers, that speak lies in hypocrisy; everyone that loves and makes a lie shall die the second death, and be excluded from eternal happiness, ( Revelation 21:8 Revelation 21:27 ) ; but the man that heareth;
before he speaks, and speaks what he hears, and does not devise things himself; but witnesses the truth, and nothing else, to the best of his knowledge: speaketh constantly;
invariably and consistently, what is all of a piece, and by which he ah, des; or "continually", as Jarchi; or "for ever"; he is made use of as a witness as long as he lives, whenever there is occasion for him; the Vulgate Latin version renders it, "he speaks victory"; his testimony, being true and valid, carries the cause: it, nay be applied to a faithful teacher, who hearkens to the word of God, and speaks according to that; such an one speaks out, he doctrine of the word constantly, boldly, with certainty, without any hesitation or staggering.

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FOOTNOTES:

F11 (Mybzk de) "testis mendaciorum", Montanus, Junius & Tremellius, Cocceius, Gejerus, Michaelis, Schultens.

Proverbs 21:28 In-Context

26 He is filled with craving all day long, but the righteous give and don't hold back.

27 The sacrifice of a wicked person is detestable- how much more so when he brings it with ulterior motives!

28 A lying witness will perish, but the one who listens will speak successfully.

29 A wicked man puts on a bold face, but the upright man considers his way.

30 No wisdom, no understanding, and no counsel [will prevail] against the Lord.

Footnotes

• [a] Pr 19:5,9