Proverbs 25:18

“A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour, etc.] In whose house he has often been, and whom he has frequently visited; and, observing what was done there, not only discovers and tells abroad the secrets of his family, but even things which are false; yea, in a court of judicature, appears a witness against him, and swears falsely to his hurt and prejudice. Such a man [is] a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow; that is, to his neighbour, against whom he bears false witness; and, by so doing, he mauls his fame, his credit, character, and reputation; and, as with a sword, takes away his life; and against whom there is no more guarding than against a sharp arrow, that comes from…”

“A false witness is as destructive to reputation, as such weapons to the body (Pro 24:28). beareth . . . witness--literally, "answereth questions," as before a judge, against his neighbor.”

“Maul - A heavy sledge hammer. The word is connected with “malleus:” its diminutive “mallet” is still in use. return to 'Top of Page'”

“A sword - Is as cruel and pernicious as any instrument of death. Proverbs 25:20”

“25:18 Lying can have deadly consequences (see 6:16-19; 14:5, 25).”

“Pro 12:18; Psa 52:2, Psa 55:21, Psa 57:4, Psa 120:3, Psa 120:4, Psa 140:3; Jer 9:3, Jer 9:8; Jam 3:6 Proverbs 25:19”

“This group of proverbs has the word רע in each of them, connecting them together. The first of the group represents a false tongue: Pro 25:18 18 A hammer, and a sword, and a sharp arrow - A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour. An emblematic, or, as we might also say, an iconological proverb; for 18a is a quodlibet of instruments of murder, and 18b is the subscription under it: that which these weapons of murder accomplish, is done to his neighbour by a man who bears false witness against him - he ruins his estate, takes away his honour, but yet more: he murders him, at one time more grossly, at another time with more refinement; at one time slowly, at another time more…”