Proverbs 25:18 (KJV)

What does Proverbs 25:18 mean?

Proverbs 25:18 warns that someone who lies about their neighbor is as dangerous and destructive as a heavy club, a sword, or a sharp arrow. The verse uses these vivid images to show that false testimony can seriously harm another person.

This proverb is part of a collection of wise sayings attributed to Solomon, directed at anyone seeking to live wisely and justly. The verse highlights the real-world damage caused by lying about others, especially in legal or community settings where a person’s reputation or safety could be at stake.

The Hebrew behind Proverbs 25:18

• מַפֵּץ (mapetz, "maul"): This word means a heavy hammer or club, emphasizing blunt force and destruction. The comparison suggests that false testimony is not just a small mistake, but something that can crush or break a person.
• חֶרֶב (cherev, "sword"): This is the standard word for a sword, a weapon that cuts and wounds. The verse links lying to violence, showing that words can be as harmful as weapons.
• חֵץ שָׁנוּן (chets shanun, "sharp arrow"): The word for arrow here is paired with "sharp," stressing precision and the ability to strike from a distance. False witness can harm someone even when the liar is not physically close.

Why Proverbs 25:18 matters

• Proverbs 25:18 makes clear that lying about someone is not a minor issue, but a serious offense with real consequences, like physical violence.
• The verse uses three different weapons to show that false witness can harm in many ways—bluntly, deeply, or from afar—helping the reader grasp the full danger of dishonest words.
• This proverb fits into a broader biblical theme that values truth and warns against false testimony, especially in community and legal life.