What does the Bible say about lying?
Retrieved texts include Proverbs 6:19, Mark 7:22, Isaiah 59:13, Proverbs 24:28.
The texts do not directly address broader modern formulations; NO DIRECT REFERENCE IN SOURCE TEXTS and INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE apply beyond retrieved passages.
THEOLOGICAL ANALYSIS
1. QUESTION
What does the Bible say about lying, including its nature, moral status, and consequences?
2. PRIMARY TEXTUAL EVIDENCE
On God's View of Lying:
"Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight." — Proverbs 12:22 (KJV)
"Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah." — Psalms 52:3 (KJV)
On the Nature of Lying and Deceit:
"Their tongue is as an arrow shot out; it speaketh deceit: one speaketh peaceably to his neighbour with his mouth, but in heart he layeth his wait." — Jeremiah 9:8 (KJV)
"And they will deceive every one his neighbour, and will not speak the truth: they have taught their tongue to speak lies, and weary themselves to commit iniquity." — Jeremiah 9:5 (KJV)
"Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit." — Psalms 50:19 (KJV)
On False Witness:
"A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies." — Proverbs 14:5 (KJV)
"A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren." — Proverbs 6:19 (KJV)
"He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit." — Proverbs 12:17 (KJV)
On Consequences:
"A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish." — Proverbs 19:9 (KJV)
"A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape." — Proverbs 19:5 (KJV)
On Commands Against Lying:
"Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips." — Proverbs 24:28 (KJV)
3. LINGUISTIC/HISTORICAL DATA
Based strictly on the provided texts:
- The Hebrew wisdom tradition (Proverbs) frequently employs parallelism contrasting truth-telling with falsehood (e.g., "faithful witness" vs. "false witness").
- The term "abomination" (Proverbs 12:22) denotes something utterly detestable to the LORD—a category reserved for severe moral offenses.
- Jeremiah's imagery of the tongue as "an arrow shot out" (9:8) suggests premeditated harm through deception.
- Deceit appears in New Testament vice lists (Mark 7:22; Romans 1:29) alongside other serious sins, indicating its gravity in early Christian moral teaching.
4. SCHOLARLY POSITIONS
The retrieved texts do not contain explicit scholarly commentary. However, the textual data supports two observable emphases:
- Relational harm: Lying damages relationships between neighbors and brethren (Jeremiah 9:5, 8; Proverbs 6:19).
- Theological offense: Lying is framed as contrary to God's character and an affront to Him directly (Proverbs 12:22; Isaiah 59:13).
5. SOURCES CITED
| Reference | Translation | |-----------|-------------| | Proverbs 6:19 | KJV | | Proverbs 12:17 | KJV | | Proverbs 12:22 | KJV | | Proverbs 14:5 | KJV | | Proverbs 19:5 | KJV | | Proverbs 19:9 | KJV | | Proverbs 24:28 | KJV | | Psalms 5:9 | KJV | | Psalms 50:19 | KJV | | Psalms 52:3 | KJV | | Isaiah
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE: retrieved texts do not resolve this question explicitly.