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Proverbs 24:28

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Proverbs 24:28 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Be not a witness against thy neighbor without cause; And deceive not with thy lips.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Be not a witness against thy neighbor without cause; And deceive not with thy lips.
Proverbs 24:28 — American Standard Version

Context — Proverbs 24

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
25But to them that rebuke [him] shall be delight, And a good blessing shall come upon them.
26He kisseth the lips Who giveth a right answer.
27Prepare thy work without, And make it ready for thee in the field; And afterwards build thy house.
28Be not a witness against thy neighbor without cause; And deceive not with thy lips.
29Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me; I will render to the man according to his work.
30I went by the field of the sluggard, And by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
31And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, The face thereof was covered with nettles, And the stone wall thereof was broken down.
← Proverbs 24:27Proverbs 24:29 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Do not speak even truth needlessly against any, and never falsehood.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Deceive not with thy lips - Better, wilt thou deceive with thy lips? return to 'Top of Page'”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“24:28-29 Saying 4: The truth should not be bent, not even for revenge (see 6:19; 12:17; 14:25; 19:28; 24:23-24; 25:18).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“not: Pro 14:5, Pro 19:5, Pro 19:9, Pro 21:28; Exo 20:16, Exo 23:1; Sa1 22:9, Sa1 22:10; Kg1 21:9-13; Job 2:3; Psa 35:7, Psa 35:11, Psa 52:1 \*title Mat 26:59, Mat 26:60, Mat 27:23; Joh 15:25 deceive: Eph 4:25; Col 3:9; Rev 21:8, Rev 22:15 Proverbs 24:29”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“Warning against unnecessary witnessing to the disadvantage of another: Never be a causeless witness against thy neighbour; And shouldest thou use deceit with thy lips? The phrase עד־חנּם does not mean a witness who appears against his neighbour without knowledge of the facts of the case, but one who has no substantial reason for his giving of testimony; חנּם means groundless, with reference to the occasion and motive, Pro 3:30; Pro 23:29; Pro 26:2. Other designations stood for false witnesses (lxx, Syr., Targ.). Rightly Jerome, the Venet., and Luther, without, however, rendering the gen. connection עד־חנם, as it might have been by the adj. In 28b, Chajg derives והפתּית from פּתת, to break in…”
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Related study paths

Read Proverbs 24 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification