Mishle 21:6

6 The getting of otzarot by a lashon sheker is hevel (vain, empty, meaningless) and fleeting for them that seek mavet.

Mishle 21:6 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 21:6

The getting of treasures by a lying tongue
By telling lies in trade; by bearing false witness in a court of judicature; or by preaching false doctrines in the church of God: [is] a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death:
such treasures, though ever so great, are like any light thing, smoke or vapour, straw, stubble, chaff, or a feather, tossed about the wind; which is expressive of the instability uncertainty of riches ill gotten; they do not last long, but are taken away and carried off by one providence or another; and they are likewise harmful and pernicious; they issue in death: and those that seek after them, and obtain them in a bad way, are said to "seek death": not intentionally, but eventually; this they certainly find, if grace prevent not; see ( Proverbs 8:36 ) . Jarchi reads it, they are the "snares of death" to him; and so the Septuagint version.

Mishle 21:6 In-Context

4 A high and haughty eye, and a proud lev—ner resha’im (the lamp of the wicked ones)—are chattat (sin).

5 The plans of the kharutz (diligent) lead surely to profit; but of every one that is hasty surely to machsor (poverty, want).

6 The getting of otzarot by a lashon sheker is hevel (vain, empty, meaningless) and fleeting for them that seek mavet.

7 The violence of the resha’im shall drag them away; because they refuse to do mishpat (justice).

8 The derech of the guilty ish is hafachpach (crooked, tortuous), but as for the pure, his conduct is yashar (right).