The Meaning of Proverbs 25:18 Explained

Proverbs 25:18

KJV: A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.

YLT: A maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow, Is the man testifying against his neighbour a false testimony.

Darby: A maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow, is a man that beareth false witness against his neighbour.

ASV: A man that beareth false witness against his neighbor Is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

A man  that beareth  FALSE  witness  against his neighbour  [is] a maul,  and a sword,  and a sharp  arrow. 

What does Proverbs 25:18 Mean?

Context Summary

Proverbs 25:15-28 - Self-Control And Kindliness
In this paragraph we have good advice as to our dealings with the varied characters with whom we are forced into daily contact. Here is a man hard as a bone-try gentleness, for a soft tongue will win his heart, just because it finds a new and unexpected way of approach which no one else has tried for long years"¦. Beware of honeyed words; you may get stung."¦ Do not make yourself too common, or pry into your neighbor's affairs, or ask his help too often"¦. Keep clear of the tale-bearer."¦ Be very careful to whom you confide your troubles"¦. Vinegar poured on potash makes it effervesce; so joyous mirth is incongruous to a heavy heart"¦. Even if your love fails to meet your enemy, the Lord will reward you by revealing and communicating His own perfection, Matthew 5:43-48."¦ If you frown on a backbiter, you will silence him."¦ Do not give way to the wicked, lest you become a corrupted spring"¦. Rule over your spirit-nay, better, hand over its keys to Emmanuel, and let Him be crowned in Mansoul. [source]

Chapter Summary: Proverbs 25

1  observations about kings
8  and about avoiding causes of quarrels

What do the individual words in Proverbs 25:18 mean?

[Is like] a club and a sword and a arrow Sharp a man who bears against his neighbor witness FALSE
מֵפִ֣יץ וְ֭חֶרֶב וְחֵ֣ץ שָׁנ֑וּן אִ֥ישׁ עֹנֶ֥ה בְ֝רֵעֵ֗הוּ עֵ֣ד שָֽׁקֶר

מֵפִ֣יץ  [Is  like]  a  club 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: מֵפִיץ  
Sense: scatterer, disperser, scattering club.
וְ֭חֶרֶב  and  a  sword 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, feminine singular
Root: חֶרֶב  
Sense: sword, knife.
וְחֵ֣ץ  and  a  arrow 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular
Root: חֵץ  
Sense: arrow.
שָׁנ֑וּן  Sharp 
Parse: Verb, Qal, QalPassParticiple, masculine singular
Root: שָׁנַן 
Sense: to sharpen, whet.
אִ֥ישׁ  a  man 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: אִישׁ 
Sense: man.
עֹנֶ֥ה  who  bears 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: לְעַנּׄות 
Sense: to answer, respond, testify, speak, shout.
בְ֝רֵעֵ֗הוּ  against  his  neighbor 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: רֵעַ  
Sense: friend, companion, fellow, another person.
עֵ֣ד  witness 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: עֵד  
Sense: witness.
שָֽׁקֶר  FALSE 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: שֶׁקֶר  
Sense: lie, deception, disappointment, falsehood.