Proverbs 21:28 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 21:28

Here is, 1. The doom of a false witness. He who, for favour to one side or malice to the other, gives in a false evidence, or makes an affidavit of that which he knows to be false, or at least does not know to be true, if it be discovered, his reputation will be ruined. A man may tell a lie perhaps in his haste; but he that gives a false testimony does it with deliberation and solemnity, and it cannot but be a presumptuous sin, and a forfeiture of man's credit. But, though he should not be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible 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 עד כזבים "testis mendaciorum", Montanus, Junius & Tremellius, Cocceius, Gejerus,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 21:27-31

The just judgments of the Eternal I. ON RELIGIOUS ACTS . ( Proverbs 21:27 ; Proverbs 15:8 .) The hypocrisy of devotion, the play acting of religion, is as hideous a sight as true worship is beautiful. All the conditions of genuine worship are wanting in the bad man; there is no heart, no way of access, no faith (Bridges). We have scriptural examples in Balaam ( Numbers 23:1-30 ), Saul ( 1 Samuel 13:1-23 ), Absalom ( 2 Samuel 15:1-37 ), Jezebel, the Pharisees. Compare... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 21:28

(For the first hemistich, see Proverbs 6:19 ; Proverbs 19:5 , Proverbs 19:9 .) Shall perish. His testimony is worthless, and both he and it come to nothing. The man that heareth speaketh constantly; Vulgate, vir obediens ; Septuagint, ἀνὴρ ὑπήκοος φυλασσόμενος λαλήσει , "An obedient man will speak guardedly." "The man that heareth" is one who is attentive, who listens before he speaks, and reports only what he has heard. Such a one will speak "for continuance," so that... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 21:28

Proverbs 21:28 . A false witness Hebrew, עד כזבים , A witness of lies; one who is forward to swear or speak false things, or such things as he hath neither heard nor seen, but devised in his own heart; shall perish Shall be severely punished, either by God or men, and shall be confounded and silenced, because none will for the future regard or credit his testimony. But the man that heareth Before he speaks, and witnesseth nothing but what he has heard or seen, and knows to be true; ... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 21:1-31

God at work in people’s lives (21:1-31)As God directs the course along which a stream flows, so he guides the decisions of national rulers according to his plan (21:1). God knows people’s motives and he will not accept their sacrifices if their thoughts and actions are wrong (2-4). Prosperity that comes through diligence is a fitting reward, but prosperity that comes through greed, lying and violence is a deadly trap (5-8). Some people make life unpleasant for those who live in the same house,... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 21:28

shall perish. Illustrations: Pashur(Jeremiah 20:4-6 ); Hananiah (Jeremiah 28:1-4 , Jeremiah 28:10-17 ); the false prophets (Jeremiah 29:21 ); Shemaiah (Jeremiah 29:31 , Jeremiah 29:32 ); Amaziah (Amos 7:10-17 ). speaketh. Supply the Ellipsis ( App-6 ), "speaketh [the truth] evermore. " read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 21:28

"A false witness shall perish; But the man that heareth shall speak so as to endure."What is contrasted here is the permanence of the true witness as compared with the ephemeral life and testimony of the false witness. "A dishonest witness will perish, but a truthful man will never be forgotten."[29] read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 21:28

Proverbs 21:28. But the man that heareth— Dr. Grey would render this, But an obedient or good man will be careful of what he speaks. Houbigant has it, He who hearkeneth to justice shall be victorious in his cause. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Proverbs 21:28

28. (Compare :-). that heareth—or heeds instruction, and so grows wise. speaketh constantly—or sincerely (compare Habakkuk 1:5), and hence is believed (Proverbs 12:19; James 1:19). read more