Deuteronomy 5:20

וְלֹֽא תַעֲנֶ֥ה בְרֵֽעֲךָ֖ עֵ֥ד שָֽׁוְא

Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbour.

Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

וְ לֹֽא

וְ

Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)

לֹֽא

Particle not

Dictionary form: לֹא · loh

Particle — Negative

In the KJV here: neither

not ×882 neither ×399 no ×282 nor ×215 shall not ×205 thou shalt not ×116 is not ×102 and not ×86

More options

not — Default negation; fits nearly every context.

no — Use before nouns or as a standalone negative.

never — Emphasizes total or timeless negation.

nor — Use in paired or continued negative clauses.

neither — Use when negating two elements together.

none — Negates a noun or quantity; no one/nothing.

BDB4266 H3808

לֹא or לוֺא adverb not (Arabic , Aramaic לָא, , Sabean לא, Ass. lâ; not in Ethiopic: compare Kö^{ii. 1. 236} Walker^{AJSL 1896, 237 ff.}) — לוֺא, according to Masora (Fr^{MM 248}), 35 t., besides בְּלוֺא 6 t., and הֲלוֺא, the orthography of which varies much (ib.^{p. 251}), e.g. in Samuel always הֲלוֺא, in Chronicles always הֲלֹא, on the whole הֲלוֺא 141 t., הֲלֹא 128 t.; twice, according to Masora, written לו (Qr לֹא), 1Sam 2:16; 1Sam 20:2, once לה Deut 3:11 Kt: — not — denying objectively, like οὐ (not μὴ = אַל): —

1. in predication:
a. with a verb; so most frequently, and nearly always
(a) with the finite tenses, whether perfect (Gen 2:5 b Gen 4:5 etc.) or imperfect (Gen 3:4; Gen 8:21; Gen 8:22 etc.); in short circumstantial clauses, as Gen 44:4 לא הרחיקו, Isa 40:20 לֹא יִמּוֺט, and with a final force Isa 41:7; Exod 28:32 (see Ges^{«GKC:156»§ 156}. 3 R. b, c Dr^{§ 162}). Governing two closely connected verbs (Dr^{§ 115}, לא) Exod 28:43 וְלֹא יִשְׂאוּ עָוֺן וָמֵתוּ, Lev 19:12; Lev 19:29b Deut 7:25; Deut 7:26; Deut 19:10; Deut 22:1 and elsewhere; and two parallel clauses (Ges^{«GKC:152»§ 152}. 3) Isa 23:4b Ps 9:19; Ps 44:19; Job 3:1 and elsewhere With the imperfect, especially with 2 person, לֹא often expresses (not, like אַל, a deprecation, do not . . ., let not . . ., but) a prohibition, as Gen 2:17 לֹא תאֹכַל מִמֶּנּוּ thou shall not eat of it, Gen 3:1; Gen 3:3; Exod 20:3 לֹאיִֿהְיֶה לְךָ there shall not be to thee, etc., vExod 20:13 לא תגנב, etc. With the coh. and jussive moods (which are negatived regularly by אַל), it occurs only exceptionally (Ges^{«GKC:109»§ 109}. 1 b R. 1), Gen 24:8; 1Sam 14:36; 2Sam 17:12; 2Sam 18:14; 1Kgs 2:6; Ezek 48:14.
(b) with the infinitive (which is negatived by בִּלְתִּי, q. v.), only once, in בְּלֹא (4 a), and with לְ, in the sense of cannot, or must not; Judg 1:19 כי לא להורישׁ for it was not (possible) to dispossess, etc. Amos 6:10 לא ׳להזכיר בשׁם י, 1Chr 5:1; 1Chr 15:2 (Dr^{§ 202. 2}); compare Aramaic לָא Dan 6:9; Ezra 6:8. On its use with the participle, see b c.
(c) לא always negates properly the word immediately following: hence, in a verbal sentence, where this is not the verb, some special stress rests upon it, Gen 32:29 לֹא יַעֲקֹב ׳יֵאָמֵר עוֺד וג not Jacob shall thy name be called any more, but Israel, Gen 45:8 לֹא אַתֶּם שְׁלַחְתֶּם אֹתִי Not ye (in our idiom: It is not ye who) have sent me hither, but God, Exod 16:8; 1Sam 8:7 כִּי לֹא ׳אֹתְךָ מָאָסוּ כִּי אֹתִי וג, Ps 115:17 without a following correcting clause, Gen 38:9; Num 16:29 שְׁלָחָנִי׃ ׳לֹא י Not ׳י (but another) hath sent me, Deut 32:27 לֹא פָּעַל זֹאת ׳י, 1Chr 17:4; Deut 8:9; Isa 28:28 לא לנצח ֗֗֗ not for ever (but only for a while) . . . (so Isa 57:16; Ps 9:19; Ps 49:18; Ps 103:9 but Isa 13:20 לא תשׁב לנצח is, will not be inhabited for ever), Isa 43:22; Job 13:16; Job 32:9 hence rhetorically, insinuating something very different, not named, 2Kgs 6:10 not once, and not twice (but repeatedly), Ezra 10:13; Jer 4:11 a wind לֹא לְזָרוֺת וְלוֺא לְהַָבר׃ not to winnow, and not to cleanse (but to exterminate), Isa 45:13; Isa 48:1b Josh 24:12; Dan 11:20; Dan 11:29; Job 34:20 לֹא בְיָד (but by a Divine agency: compare Dan 2:34 also Job 20:26 אֵשׁ לֹא נֻפָּ֑ךְ fire not blown upon [but kindled from heaven], Lam 4:6 and אין Isa 47:14).
(d) standing alone:
(a) אִםלֹֿא if not, Gen 18:21 וְאִםלֹֿא אֵדָֽעָה׃, Gen 29:49; Gen 42:16; Job 9:24; Job 24:25 (β) הֲאִ֗֗֗םלֿא, or not, Gen 24:21 waiting to know דַּרְכּוֺ אִםלֹֿא ׳הַהִצְלִיחַ י, Gen 27:21; Gen 37:32; Exod 16:4; Num 11:23; Deut 8:2; Judg 2:22 (compare אִם אַיִן, אַיִן 2 d β, δ). In answer to a question or request, to deny, or decline, Nay, Nö: Judg 12:5 ויאמר לא, Hag 2:12 לא אדני Gen 23:11; Gen 42:10; 1Sam 1:15 +; often followed by כי, Nö for . . . = Nö but . . ., Gen 18:15 ויאמר לֹא כִּי צָחָ֑קְתְּ, Gen 19:2; Josh 5:14; Josh 24:21; 1Sam 2:16 Qr (see Dr), 1Sam 10:19 (ᵐ5 MSS), 2Sam 16:18; 2Sam 24:24; 1Kgs 3:22 (twice in verse) +; Job 23:6 (strangely). (compare, in deprecation, אַל.)
(e) with an interrogative force, which however does not lie in לא as such, but (as in other cases) in the contrast with a preceding clause, or in the tone of voice (compare וְ 1 f; Ew^{§ 324 a} Ges^{«GKC:150»§ 150}. 1 Dr^{1Sam 11:12}): Jonah 4:11 ׳אַתָּה חַסְתָּוַ֗֗֗אֲנִי לֹא אָחוּס וג, Job 2:10; Job 22:11; Exod 8:22; 2Kgs 5:26; Jer 49:9 (|| Obad 1:5 הֲלוֺא), Mal 2:15; Lam 3:38 and in passages, exegesis or text. doubtful (see Commentaries), 1Sam 20:14; 2Sam 23:5 (but see Bu), Hos 10:9 (Ew We), Hos 11:5 (Ew), Job 14:16b (but ᵐ5 Ew Di תַעֲבֹר), Lam 1:12 (Ew Ke), Lam 3:36 (Ke Bä).
b. with adjectives and substantive:
(a) Gen 2:18 לֹא טוֺב הֱֶיוֺת הָאָדָם לְבַדֹּו not good is man's being alone, Exod 18:17 + often
(b) Exod 4:16 לֹא אִישׁ דְּבָרִים אָנֹכִי, Amos 7:14 לא נביא אנכי, Num 23:9 לֹא אִישׁ אֵל וִיכַזֵּב, Deut 17:15 (see אשׁר

2. b) Deut 20:20; Deut 32:47; 1Sam 15:29; 2Sam 18:20 לֹא אִישׁ בְּשׂרָה אַתָּה הַיּוֺם, 2Sam 21:2; 1Kgs 22:33; 2Kgs 6:19 לא זִה הדרך, Mic 2:10; Isa 27:11; Hos 8:6 והמה לא אלהים Jer 2:11; Jer 16:20; 2Kgs 19:18; 1Kgs 19:11 (twice in verse) לֹא ׳בָרַעַשׁ י, Deut 30:12; Deut 30:13; Job 15:9; Job 28:14 לֹא בִי הִיא (|| אֵין עִמָּדִי)s, Ps 74:9; Jer 5:10 המה ׳לוא לי, Jer 10:16; Deut 32:21 בָּנִים לֹא אֵמוּן בָּם, Jer 10:14; Hab 1:14; Job 16:17; Job 38:26 מִדְבָּר לֹא אָדָם בּוֺ; 1Kgs 22:17 לֹא אֲדֹנִים לָאֵלֶּה, Jer 49:31; Ps 22:3 וְלֹא דוּמִיָּה לִי, Job 18:17; Job 18:19; Job 29:12 ולא עֹזֵר לו, Job 30:13; Job 33:9; Jer 2:19 וְלֹא פַחְדָּתִי אֵלַיִךְ and (that) my terror reached not unto thee, Job 21:9 absolute Gen 29:7 לֹאעֵֿתִ הֵאָסֵף הַמִּקְנֶה (Hag 1:2), Num 20:5; 2Kgs 4:23 לא חדשׁ ולא שׁבת, Isa 44:9; Jer 5:12 ויאמרו לוא הוא, Job 9:32; Job 22:16; Job 36:26; Job 41:2; Prov 19:7 (si vera lectio) מְרַדֵּף אֲמָרִים לֹאהֵֿמָּה words which are not, which are nought.
(c) with the participle לֹא is rare, a finite verb being usually preferred (Exod 34:7 וְנַקִּה לֹא יְנַקֶּה: Ew^{§ 320 c} Dr^{§ 162}): 2Sam 3:34 יָדֶיךָ לֹא אֲסֻרוֺת, Ezek 4:14; Ezek 22:24; Deut 28:61; Ps 38:15 כְּאִישׁ אֲשֶׁר לֹא שֹׁמֵעַ who is not hearing, Job 12:3; Job 13:2 לֹא נֹפֵל אָנֹכִי מִכֶּם, Zeph 3:5 (very anomalous); 1Kgs 10:21 לא is probably textual error In וְהוּא לֹא שׂנֵא לוֺ or לא שׂנא הוא לו, Deut 4:42; Deut 19:4; Deut 19:6; Josh 20:5 (compare אֹיֵב Num 35:23), שׂנֵא is best construed as a substantive, he being a not-hater to him afore-time. — In most of the cases under b, c, אין could have been employed; but the negation by לֹא is more pointed and forcible.

2. Not in predication:
a. coupled to an adjective to negative it, like the Greek ἀ‐, but usually by way of litotes: Hos 13:13 בן לאחֿכם an unwise son, Ps 36:5 דֶּרֶךְ לֹא טוֺב a way not good, Ps 43:1 גוי לא חסיד, Prov 16:29; Prov 30:25; Prov 30:26; Ezek 20:25; 2Chr 30:17 : Isa 16:14 לוֺא כַבִּיר, compare Isa 10:7 לֹא מְעַט.
b. with a participle Jer 2:2 ארץ לא זרועה, Jer 18:15 (the finite verb is more common: see Isa 62:12 עִיר לֹא נֱעֶזָ֫בָה (compare Isa 54:11), Jer 6:8 אֶרֶץ לוֺא נוֺשָׁ֫בָה, Jer 15:18; Jer 22:6; Jer 31:18; Zeph 2:1).
c. Gen 15:13 בארץ לא להם, Jer 5:19; Hab 1:6 מִשְׁכָּנוֺת לֹאלֿוֺ, Prov 26:17 רִיב לֹאלֿוֺ.
d. with a substantive, in poetry, forming a kind of compound, expressing pointedly its antithesis or negation (German un- is sometimes used similarly): Deut 32:5(?). 17. 21 a they made me jealous בְּלֹא אֵל with a not-God (with what in no respect deserved the name of God), v^b בְּלֹא עָם i.e. with an unorganized horde, Amos 6:13 הַשְּׂמֵחִים לְלֹא דָבָר i.e. at a thing which is not, an unreality (of their boasted strength), Isa 10:15 כְּהָרִים מַטֶּה לֹא עֵץ like a rod's lifting up what is no wood (but the agent wielding it), Isa 31:8 חרב לא אישׁ, חרב לא אדם, Isa 55:2 בלוא לחם for what is not bread, בלוא לשׂבעה for what is not for satiety, Jer 5:7 וַיּשָּֽׁבְעוּ בְּלֹא אֱלֹהִים by not-gods, in late prose 2Chr 13:9 כֹּהֵן לְלֹא אֱלֹהִים; Ps 44:13 תִּמְכֹּר עַמְּךָ בְּלֹאהֿוֺן for no-value (i.e. cheaply), Prov 13:23; Job 10:12 צלמות וְלֹא סְדָרִים darkness and disorder; so לֹאעַֿמִּי Hos 1:9; Hos 2:25: still more pregnantly Job 26:2 a מֶהעָֿזַרְתָּ לְלֹאכֹֿחַ (poetic for לאשׁר אין לו כח) the powerless, vJob 26:2b; vJob 26:3a (Ew^{§ 286 g} Ges^{«GKC:152»§ 152}. 1 n.), Job 39:16 הִקְשִׁיחַ בָּנֶיהָ לְלֹא לָהּ useth hardly her young ones (making them) into none of hers; and even Hab 2:6 הַמַּרְבֶּה לֹאלֿוֺ what is not his own (compare Job 18:15 מִבְּלִי לוֺ). compare with a verb, and ellipse of אשׁר, Isa 65:1 לְלֹא שָׁאָ֑לוּ to those who have not asked, v^b Jer 2:8 אַחֲרִי לֹא יוֺעִילוּ, vJer 2:11b; also לֹא רֻחָ֫מָה Hos 1:6; Hos 1:8; Hos 2:25, and probably Job 31:31 לֹא נִשְׂבָּ֑ע (perfect in p.) one not satisfied.
e. in circumstantial clauses (Dr^{§ 164}), in poetry and rare: qualifying a substantive, 2Sam 23:4 בֹּקֶר לֹא עָבוֺת a morning without clouds, Job 12:24 בְּתֹהוּ לֹא דֶרֶךְ in a pathless waste, Job 38:26a; and a verb Job 34:24 יָרֹעַ כַּבִּרִים לֹא חֵקֶר without inquiry, Ps 59:4 לא פשׁעי ולא חטאתי (compare vPs 59:4 בלי עון), in late prose, twice, 1Chr 2:30; 1Chr 2:32 וימת לא בנים (אֵין and בְּלִי, q. v., are more usual in such cases).

3. Once (according to many MSS), as a substantive, Job 6:21 כִּיעַֿתָּה הֱיִיתֶם לֹא for now are ye become nothing, Hi De Kö (compare Dan 4:32 (Aramaic) כְּלָה חֲשִׁיבִין, ᵑ7 here כְּלָא הֲוֵיתוּן, and אַל Job 24:25); but reading fluctuates (Orientals לֹא, Qr לו, Westerns, Baer (see pp. 37, 56) לוֺ ['now are ye become that,' namely the נַחַל אַכְזָב of vJob 24:15]; but even לוֺ yields a forced sense; and text is probably wrong: Mich Ew Ol Sgf Bu כֵּןלִ֗֗֗י (ᵐ5 ᵑ6 also read לִי); Bö Di כִּילְ֗֗֗אָ֑יִן. compare Kö^{ii. 1. 236 f}.

4. With prefixes: —
a. בְּלֹא₃₁ (chiefly in poetry or late), according to the varying significance of בְּ:
(a) usually with not = without, Jer 22:13 בונה ביתו בלאֿ צדק without justice (|| בלא משׁפט; so Ezek 22:29; Prov 16:8), Isa 55:1 (twice in verse); Prov 19:2; Job 8:11 הֲיִגְאֶהגֹּֿמֶא בְּלֹא בִצָּה without mire || כלי מים, Job 30:28 בְּלֹא חַמָּה (=not through the sun), Lam 1:6 וילכו בלאכֿח, Num 35:22 בְּלֹא אֵיבָה ֗֗֗ בְּלֹא צְדִיָּה, vNum 35:23 (followed by infinitive) בְּלֹא רְאוֺת, 2Chr 21:20; Eccl 10:11; Ps 17:1 תְּפִלָּתִי בְּלֹא שִׂפְתֵי מִרְמָה; used more freely in Chronicles, 1Chr 12:18 בְּלֹא חָמָס בְּכַפָּֽי׃, v.1Chr 12:34 בְּלֹא לֵב וָלֵב, 2Chr 30:18 בְּלֹא כַכָּתוּב. With ellipse of rel., Lam 4:14 בְּלֹא יוּכְלוּ יִגְּעוּ without (that) men are able to touch, etc.
(b) of time, in not, i.e. outside of, Lev 15:25 בלא עֶתנִֿדָּתָהּ, before Job 15:32 בלאיֿומו, Eccl 7:17 בְּלֹא עִתֶּךְ׃.
(c) where לֹא belongs to the following word, and is only accidentally preceded by ב (see above 2 d), Deut 32:21 (twice in verse); Jer 5:7; Prov 13:23 בלא משׁפט through injustice; with בְּ pretii, Ps 44:13; Isa 55:2 (twice in verse); Jer 2:11 בְּלוֺא יוֺעִיל for (that which) profiteth not.

b. הֲלֹא nonne ? Gen 4:7 + often Inviting, as it does, an affirmative answer, it is often used,
(a) especially in conversation, for pointing to a fact in such a way as to arouse the interest of the person addressed, or to win his assent: Gen 13:19 Is not the whole land before thee ? Gen 19:20; Gen 20:5; Gen 27:36; Gen 29:25; Exod 4:11 Who maketh dumb or deaf, etc. Do not I ? Exod 33:16; Judg 4:6; Judg 4:14; Judg 8:2; Judg 9:28; Judg 9:38; 1Sam 9:20; 1Sam 9:21; 1Sam 15:17 etc.; with a verb in 1 person, Josh 1:9 הלא צויתיך, Judg 6:14 הלא שׁלחתיך, 1Sam 20:30; 2Sam 19:23; Ruth 2:9: similarly in a poetical or rhetorical style, Judg 5:30 הלא ימצאו יחלקו שׁלל, Isa 8:19; Isa 10:8; Isa 10:9; Isa 10:11; Isa 28:25; Isa 29:17; Isa 40:21; Isa 40:23; Isa 42:24; Isa 43:19 etc., Job 4:6; Job 4:21; Job 7:1; Job 10:10; Job 10:20, etc. (β) it has a tendency to become little more than an affirm. particle, declaring with some rhetorical emphasis what is, or might be, well known: Deut 3:11 הֲלֹה הִיא בְרַבַּת בְּנֵי עַמּוֺן, Deut 11:30; 1Sam 21:12 הלוא ׳זה דוד וג (compare 1Sam 29:3; 1Sam 29:5; 2Sam 11:3), 2Sam 23:19; 2Sam 26:1; 2Sam 15:35 it is thus nearly = הִנֵּה (ᵐ5 sometimes represents it by ιδου, as Josh 1:9; Judg 6:14; Ruth 2:9; 2Sam 15:35); so especially in the phrase of the compiler of Kings, And the rest of the acts of . . ., הֲלֹא הֵם (הֵמָּה) כְּתוּבִים are they not written in, etc. ? 1Kgs 11:41; 1Kgs 14:29 + often (with which there interchanges הִנָּם כְּתוּבִים 1Kgs 14:19; 2Kgs 15:11; 2Kgs 15:26; 2Kgs 15:31, which is generally used by the Chronicles, 2Chr 16:11; 2Chr 20:34, etc.), Josh 10:13 (compare 2Sam 1:18 הִנֵּה), 1Kgs 8:53 ᵐ5, Esth 10:2; Ps 56:14 (strangely: contr. Ps 116:8). — הֲלֹא הִנֵּה Hab 2:13; 2Chr 25:26 (הִנָּם). — On Judg 14:15, see הֲ 1 end.

c. וָלֹ֕א and not=and if not, 2Sam 13:26; 2Kgs 5:17. compare וָּיֵשׁ.
d. כְּלוֺא Obad 1:16 והיו כלוא היו, poetic for כאשׁר, as though they had not been.

e. לְלֹא without, literally in the condition of no . . . 2Chr 15:3 (compare לְאֵין, also in Chronicles). Elsewhere לא belongs to the following word, Amos 6:13; 2Chr 13:9; Isa 65:1 (twice in verse); Job 26:2; Job 26:3; Job 39:16 (see above 2 d).

Note. — Fifteen times, according to Masora (see De^{Ps 100. 3} Fr^{MM 247} Str^{Prol. Cr. 84}), לא is written by error for לוֺ, namely Exod 21:8; Lev 11:21; Lev 25:30; 1Sam 2:3; 2Sam 16:18; 2Kgs 8:10; Isa 9:2; Isa 63:9; Ps 100:3; Ps 139:16; Job 13:15; Job 41:4; Prov 19:7; Prov 26:2; Ezra 4:2 (always with Qr לוֺ). The passages must be considered each upon its own merits: in some לוֺ yields a preferable sense; but this is not the case in all. There is the same קרי (rightly) on Isa 49:5; 1Chr 11:20 but these were not considered to rest upon equal authority, and are hence not reckoned with the fifteen. — In Judg 21:22 (see GFM), 1Sam 13:13; 1Sam 20:14 (twice in verse), and in Job 9:33 לֹא יֵשׁ, read probably לֻא for לֹא.

BDB4344 H3808

לוֺ (Kt 1Sam 2:16; 1Sam 20:2), לוֺא, see לֹא.

BDB9632 H3808 H3809

לָא (לָה Dan 4:32) adverb not (Biblical Hebrew לא; Aramaic of Têma, Egyptian, etc., לא; Nerab ל (Lzb³⁰¹ Cook^{G1. 67}); ᵑ7 לָא; Syriac ); — not Jer 10:11; Dan 2:5; Dan 2:9; Dan 2:10, etc.; before a participle (so rarely in Biblical Hebrew, 1 b c), Dan 2:27; Dan 2:43; Dan 3:16; Dan 4:4; Dan 4:6; Dan 4:15 +, so v.Dan 4:32 וְכָלדָּֿאְרֵי אַרְעָא כְּלָה חֲשׁיבִין; are as men not accounted of (so Bev Behrm Marti, compare Isa 53:8 ᵑ7 בסירין ולא חשׁיבין; > most 'accounted as nothing,' for which no analogy, yet compare Ps 39:6 ᵑ7); followed by אִיתַי, see אִיתַי. With infinitive and לְ Dan 6:9 דִּי לָא לִהַשְׁנָיָה which it is not to alter = which is not to be altered (compare v.Dan 6:16), Ezra 6:8 (K^{§ 67, 1} Dr^{§ 202, 2}.; compare Isa 35:6 ᵑ7, D^{Aramaic Dialektproben, p. 1}). With interr. הֲלָא Dan 3:24; Dan 4:27; Dan 6:13.

BDB9640 H3809 H3861 H518 H2006 H3808 H3588

II. לָהֵן conjunction except, but (from לָא and הֵן 'not if' (compare Hebrew אם לא Gen 24:38); so Nabataean and Egyptian Aramaic להן Cooke^{217, 219, 241} S-C^{Pap. C 6, 7} +; lâinnî, however Soc^{Arab. Dial.} see Marokko 44, Anm. 103; ᵑ7 אִילָּהֵין Gen 32:28; Gen 43:3 and elsewhere); —

1. after a negative (= Biblical Hebrew כִּי אִם, q. v.):
a. except Dan 2:11; Dan 3:28; Dan 6:6; Dan 6:8.
b. but (German sondern) Dan 2:30.

2. without a negative: however, but Ezra 5:12.

not, no, neither, nor, none, …

lōʾ

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

not, no

not (with verb—absolute prohibition)

תַעֲנֶ֥ה

Root word answered, answer, hear, heard, testify, …

Dictionary form: עָנָה · aw-NAW

Verb — Qal, Imperfect (Yiqtol), second person masculine singular simple action — "he did" not-yet-complete action — try "he will ___" or "he ___s" the built-in subject is "you"

In the KJV here: shalt thou bear

answered ×104 then answered ×20 and answered ×16 answer ×15 hear ×15 will answer ×6 and he answered ×5 and they answered ×4

More options

answer — Most versatile; fits narrative, dialogue, and legal contexts.

respond — Slightly more formal; good for measured or official replies.

reply — Conversational register; suits quick, informal exchanges.

testify — Prefer in legal or courtroom contexts; witness-bearing sense.

speak up — Captures the sense of raising one's voice or calling out.

declare — For solemn, public, or proclamatory utterances.

BDB5887 H6030

[עוּן] verb dwell (probably; √ of following; Arabic , is support, help, see especially Fl^{Kl. Schr. i. 87 ff.}); —

Qal Perfect 3 feminine singular consecutive וְעָנָה֫ (read וְעָ֫נָה ?) Isa 13:22 and jackals shall dwell, etc. (on agreement see Ges^{«GKC:145k»§ 145k}; || שׁכן vIsa 13:21), so ᵐ5 Buhl; Che^Heb.Hpt.124 וְשָֽׁכְנוּ; > ᵑ6 ᵑ7 ᵑ9 and others √ IV. ענה. — Ps 87:7 see מַעְיָן.

BDB6195 H6030

I. עָנָה verb answer, respond (Late Hebrew id., respond, make response; ᵑ7 עֲנָא; Syriac , Old Aramaic, Palmyrene ענה; compare Arabic , , intend by saying); —

Qal Perfect 3 masculine singular ׳ע Mic 6:5 +; suffix עָנַנִי 1Sam 28:15 +, עָנָךְ Isa 30:19; Jer 23:37, עָנָהוּ 1Sam 9:17 +; 1 singular עָנִיתִי Hos 14:9, etc.; Imperfect 3 masculine singular יַעֲנֶה Gen 41:16 +, וַיַּעַן Amos 7:14 +, suffix יַעֲנֵנִי Job 20:3 +, etc.; Imperative עֲנֵה Mic 6:3; Prov 26:5 etc.; Infinitive construct עֲנוֺת Gen 45:3 + [2Sam 22:36 see עֲנָוָה]; Participle עֹנֶה Judg 19:28 +, etc.; —

1. answer, respond to something said, actual or implied, Judg 8:8; 1Sam 4:20; Job 9:15 +; especially
a. of men, with accusative of person Gen 45:3 (E), Judg 5:29; 2Kgs 18:36 = Isa 36:21; Job 5:1 + very often (c. 110 t.); specifically be responsive, i.e. answer kindly, grant request 1Kgs 12:7 (suffix person); = be amenable, docile (toward ׳י) Hos 2:17 (of Israel in figure); seldom and late, with accusative of thing replied to, Job 32:12; Job 33:13 (De Di Bu), Job 40:2.
b. of God answering (graciously): usually with accusative of person; by oracle 1Sam 14:37; 1Sam 28:6; 1Sam 28:15 +, figurative Hab 2:11 by deed 1Sam 7:9; 1Kgs 18:37 (twice in verse), compare בָּאֵשׁ v1Kgs 18:24; 1Chr 21:26, and especially Hos 2:23; Hos 2:24; Hos 14:9, see also Mic 3:4; Isa 41:17; Isa 49:8; Jer 33:3; Job 12:4 +, especially Psalms, e.g. Job 3:5; Job 4:2; Job 20:2 + 33 t., etc. (in all approximately 77 t.).
c. rarely with accusative, or clause, of answer: אֶתשְֿׁלוֺם פַּרְעֹה ׳אלהים יַע Gen 41:16; Job 15:2; Prov 18:23; Neh 8:6 they responded, Amen ! 2Sam 19:43 they made reply against Israel (with עַל against, only here), + quoted answer; with accusative of person + answer 1Sam 20:28 Jonathan answered Saul, David asked leave, etc.; with 2. accusative (c. 20 t.) 2Kgs 18:36 = Isa 36:21; Job 23:5 +; so = grant, vouchsafe to, נוֺרָאוֺת תַּעֲנֵנוּ Ps 65:6 terrible things dost thou [׳י] vouchsafe to us.
d. often + אָמַר Gen 18:27 Abraham answered and said, Exod 4:1 (J), Exod 19:8 (E), Job 4:1; Job 6:1 etc.; + אָמַר אֶלֿ Gen 27:39 + 16 t.; + לְ ׳א vGen 27:37 + 8 t.; ׳י + accusative of person + אמר, 1Sam 9:8 he answered Saul and said, + 23t. (in all approximately 130 t.); seldom + לֵאמֹר Num 32:31 (P), ׳ע + accusative of person + ׳עא Gen 23:5; Gen 23:10; Gen 23:14 (P), Gen 41:16; Gen 42:22 (E), Josh 1:16 (D) .
e. seldom + דִּבֶּר Josh 22:21 (P), 2Kgs 1:10; 2Kgs 1:11; 2Kgs 1:12 ׳ע + accusative of person + ׳ר Gen 34:13 (P).

2. a. respond to an occasion, speak in view of circumstances : 1Sam 9:17 (accusative of person + quotation), Judg 18:14 ( + אָמַר), Num 11:28 (J E; + id.), 2Kgs 1:11 (+ id.), + 19 t. b figurative יַעֲנֶה אֶתהַֿכֹּל Eccl 10:19 money meets all demands.

3. a. specifically respond as a witness, testify, so perhaps participleעֹנֶה (absolute) Mal 2:12 (in good sense); with בְּ person= in the case of = for Gen 30:33 usually against, 1Sam 12:3; 2Sam 1:16; Isa 3:9; Isa 59:12; Mic 6:3; Jer 14:7; Num 35:30 (P), Ruth 1:21 (>Be be occupied with, II.ענה; Vrss Luth Kit^Kau עִנָּה humiliate); with בְּפָנָיו Hos 5:5; Hos 7:10; Job 16:8 with לְפָנָיו Deut 31:21 (+ לְעֵד as witness); with בְּ person + accusative of charge, סָרָה Deut 19:16, of false witness שֶׁקֶר vDeut 19:18, עֵדשֶֿׁקֶר Exod 20:16 (Ginsb vExod 20:13), || Deut 5:17; Prov 25:18: absolute (bad implication) Exod 23:2 (E; עַל concerning).
b. less often make response as one accused (respondent) Job 9:14; Job 9:15. Niph`al 1. make answer, subject ׳י, with ל person, Perfect 1 singular נַעֲנֵיתִי Ezek 14:4 Participle נַעֲנֶה (Qal not in Ezekiel).

2. be answered: Imperfect 3 masculine singular יֵעָנֶה,
a. Job 11:2 (subject words).
b. of man = receive answer Prov 21:3, so 1 singular אֵעָנֶה Job 19:7. Hiph`il Participle מַעֲנֶה בְּשִׂמְחַת לִבּוֺ Eccl 5:19, wholly dubious; Hi (God) causes (all things) to respond in the joy of his heart; De answers to the joy, etc.; de Jong Wild occupies him (II. עָנָה) with the joy, etc.

BDB6216 H6030

IV. עָנָה verb sing (Arabic sing, chant, singing, chanting, etc.; Syriac sing responsively, hymn, refrain; possibly Assyrian enû, resound (?); Egyptian anni is loan-word according to Bondi⁸⁰); —

Qal Perfect 3 masculine singular וְעָנוּ consecutive Jer 51:14 Imperfect 3 masculine singular יַעַנֶה Jer 25:30 3 feminine singular וַתַּעַן Exod 15:21 3 feminine plural וַתַּעֲנֶינָה 1Sam 18:7, etc.; Imperative עֱנוּ Num 21:17; Ps 147:7 Infinitive construct עֲנוֺת Exod 32:18 (twice in verse); — sing, utter tunefully, Exod 15:21 (E) and Miriam sang to (ל) them; of uttering shout (הֵידָד), as in vintage Jer 25:30 (׳י subject; + אֶלֿ person), in attack Jer 51:14 (+ עַלֿ person); (חֲלוּשָׁה) קוֺל עֲנוֺת גְּבוּרָה Exod 32:18 (twice in verse) (E); with ל of thing or person laudation Num 21:17 (J E; well); Ps 147:7 (׳י; || זַמְּרוּ), Ezra 3:11 + אָמַר 1Sam 18:7 the women sang, and said; יַעֲנוּ בַמְּחֹלוֺת לֵאמֹר 1Sam 21:12; 1Sam 29:5 with accusative of thing laudation Ps 119:172 (compare || vPs 119:171). — Isa 14:22 see עון Pi`el intensive: Imperative עַנּוּלָֿהּ Isa 27:2 sing sweetly of it; Infinitive קוֺל עַנּוֺת Exod 32:18 (E) the sound of distinct singing; compare לְעַנּוֺת Ps 88:1.

BDB9780 H6030 H6032

I. [עֲנָה] verb answer (see Biblical Hebrew I. עָנָה); —

Pe`al Perfect 3 feminine singular עֲנַת Dan 5:10 3 masculine plural עֲנוֺ Dan 2:7 +; Participle active (עֲנָה Nö^{GGA, 1884, 1021}) עָנֵה Dan 2:5 +, plural עָנַיִן (K^{§ 47 Beisp. e})) Dan 3:24 — always + אמר Participle, answered and said (ל [or קֳדָם] person usually following אדר; following ׳ע Dan 2:10; Dan 2:27; Dan 2:47): —

1. answer, make reply, to something said: Dan 2:5; Dan 2:7; Dan 2:8; Dan 2:10; Dan 2:27; Dan 3:16; Dan 3:24; Dan 3:25; Dan 4:16 b Dan 5:17; Dan 6:13; Dan 6:14.

2. respond to occasion, speak in view of a situation: Dan 2:15; Dan 2:20; Dan 2:26; Dan 3:9; Dan 3:14; Dan 3:19; Dan 3:24; Dan 3:26; Dan 3:28; Dan 4:16a; Dan 4:27; Dan 5:10.

answered, answer, hear, heard, testify, …

ʿānâ

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout, testify, announce

to answer, respond, testify, speak, shout

(Qal)

to answer, respond to

to make answer

בְ רֵֽעֲ ךָ֖

בְ

Prefix — preposition in, at, by, with

רֵֽעֲ

Root word neighbour, neighbours, friend, another, friends, …

ךָ֖

Suffix — pronoun your / you (one man)

Dictionary form: רֵעַ · RAY-ah

Noun — Common, masculine singular, construct state "___ of …" — bound to the next word

In the KJV here: against thy neighbour

his neighbour ×32 another ×17 his neighbours ×10 against his neighbour ×6 thy neighbours ×6 of his neighbour ×5 friends ×4 of his friend ×4

More options

neighbor — Most common sense; updated spelling from KJV 'neighbour'.

friend — Use when relational warmth or closeness is implied.

fellow — Good for peer or associate in a group context.

companion — Emphasizes ongoing closeness or shared experience.

associate — Neutral; suits legal or formal contractual contexts.

another person — Best when רֵעַ means 'one another' or 'each other'.

BDB7824 H7452 H7453 H7454

I. רֵעַ verbal noun shouting, roar, but dubious; — קוֺל הָעָם בְּרֵעֹה֯ Exod 32:17 (E) sound of the people as they shouted (read Infinitive construct בָּרִעֹה for בְּהָרִיעוֺ, compare √5); יַגִּיד עָלָיו רֵע֑וֺ Job 36:33 the roar thereof telleth of him (< רַעְמוֺ his thunder, so Bu); לָמָּה תָרִיעִי רֵעַ Mic 4:9 why criest thou out with a crying? i.e. so loudly (but see √

6. ). — II. III. רֵעַ see רעה. p. 945f

BDB8001 H7453 H7452 H7454

II. רֵעַ₁₈₇ noun masculine^{Prov 17:17} friend, companion, fellow; — ׳ר absolute 2Sam 13:3 +, construct 1Chr 27:33 suffix רֵעִי Job 31:9 +, רֵעְַךָ Deut 5:17 +, רֵעֶ֑ךָ Exod 2:13 +, also רֵעֶיךָ 2Sam 12:11 (singular; Ges^{«GKC:93ss»§ 93ss}), רֵעֵ֫הוּ (Ges^{«GKC:84»§ 84} a i) Gen 11:3 + 114 t., רֵעוֺ Jer 6:21, רֵעָהּ, Jer 3:30 plural רֵעִים Jer 3:1 +, construct רֵעֵי Job 2:11 suffix רֵעָיו Job 32:3, רֵעֵ֫הו (Ges^{«GKC:91k»§ 91k}) Job 42:10; 1Sam 30:26, etc.; —
l. friend, intimate, Gen 38:12; Gen 38:20(J), 1Sam 30:26; 2Sam 13:3; 1Kgs 16:11 (ᵐ5 omitted); רִעֲךָ אֲשֶׁר כְּנַפְשְׁךָ Deut 13:7, מֶתֶק רֵעֵהוּ Prov 27:9 (text dubious see Toy); Mic 7:5 (|| אַלוּף), Jer 9:3 (|| אָח), Jer 19:9; Lam 1:2 ( + אֹהֲבֶיהָ), Ps 35:14 (|| אָח) + 3 t. Psalms; especially Job 2:11; Job 6:14 + 8 t. Job; Prov 17:17; Prov 18:24 + 8 t. Proverbs ( Prov 12:26 see מֵרֵעַ below), Song 5:1 (|| דּוֺדִים); associates Zech 3:8 technical term הַמֶּלֶךְ ׳ר 1Chr 27:33 (see רֵעֶה), compare 2Sam 16:17 (twice in verse); of lover Song 5:16 (|| דּוֺדִי), husband Jer 3:20, paramours Hos 3:1; Jer 3:1 metaphor רֵעַ לִבְנוֺת יַעֲנָה Job 30:29 (|| אָח לְתַנִּים).

2. in weaker sense, fellow, fellow-citizen, even another person,, with whom one stands in reciprocal relations, Exod 2:13; Exod 20:16; Exod 20:17 (3 t. in verse) (Gi vExod 20:13 vExod 20:14 vExod 20:14 vExod 20:14) = Deut 5:17; Deut 5:18 (3 t. in verse), Exod 21:14; Exod 22:7; Exod 22:8; Exod 22:10; Exod 22:25 (all E), Lev 19:13; Lev 19:16; Lev 19:18; Lev 20:10 (all H), Deut 4:42; Deut 15:2 (twice in verse) + 11 t. Deuteronomy; Josh 20:5 (D), Judg 7:14; Jer 9:7; Jer 22:13; Jer 29:23; Jer 22:11; Jer 22:12; Ps 15:3; Ps 28:3; Ps 101:5; Prov 3:28; Prov 3:29; Prov 6:1 (|| זָר !) + 18 t. Proverbs; וְרֵעוֺ שָׁכֵן Jer 6:21; 1Sam 15:28 hath given (the kingdom) to thy fellow, = another than thou, so 1Sam 28:17; 2Sam 12:11 so also אִישׁ ֗֗֗ רֵעֵהוּ a (given, certain) man over against his fellow (different from 3) Exod 21:18; Exod 21:35; Exod 22:6; Exod 22:9; Exod 22:13; Exod 33:11 (all E), Deut 19:11; Deut 22:26; Judg 7:13; 1Kgs 8:31; 1Kgs 20:35; Jer 7:5; 1Chr 6:22; Ruth 3:14; Eccl 4:4 similarly שָׂעִיר אֶלרֵֿעֵהוּ Isa 34:14.

3. in reciprocal phrase אִישׁ ֗֗֗ רֵעֵהו Gen 11:3 they said one to another (אִישׁ distributive), each the speech of the other vGen 11:7, absent one from the other Gen 31:49, compare Gen 43:33 (all J), Exod 11:2; Exod 18:7; Exod 18:16; Exod 32:27 (all E), Judg 6:29; Judg 7:22; Judg 10:18; 2Sam 2:16 (twice in verse) + 4 t. 1 Samuel; 2Kgs 3:23; 2Kgs 7:3; 2Kgs 7:9; 2Chr 20:23; Isa 3:5 (|| אִישׁ בְּאִישׁ), Isa 13:8; Isa 19:2 (|| אִישׁ בְּאָתִיו) Isa 41:6; Jer 5:8 + 11 t. Jeremiah; Ezek 33:26; Zech 3:10 + 6 t. Zechariah (Zech 11:6 read רֹעֵהוּ Sta^{ZAW i (1881), 26}); Mal 3:16; Jonah 1:7 so of things Gen 15:10 (J). — I. רֵעַ see רוע. p.929 below

BDB8006 H7468 H7453

I. רְעוּת noun feminine fellow (-woman); — suffix in reciprocal phrase אִשָּׁה מֵאֵת רְעוּתָהּ Exod 11:2 (E) each from her fellow (|| אִישׁ מֵאֵת רֵעֵהוּ, compare II. רֵעַ 3); compare Jer 9:19 of birds of prey (דַיּוֺת) Isa 34:15 compare vIsa 34:16 people under figure of sheep Zech 11:9 רְעוּתָהּ Esth 1:19 = another than she (compare 1Sam 15:28 II. רֵעַ 2).

neighbour, neighbours, friend, another, friends, …

rēaʿ

an associate (more or less close)

friend, companion, fellow, another person

friend, intimate

עֵ֥ד

Root word witness, witnesses

Dictionary form: עֵד · ade

Noun — Common, masculine singular, construct state "___ of …" — bound to the next word

In the KJV here: witness

witness ×23 witnesses ×10 a witness ×3 are witnesses ×3 is witness ×3 are my witnesses ×2 is a witness ×2 of the witnesses ×2

More options

witness — Modernized core rendering; fits legal and covenantal contexts.

testifier — Emphasizes the active role of giving testimony.

eyewitness — Stress on firsthand, direct observation.

attestor — Formal/legal register; one who formally attests a fact.

testimony-bearer — Highlights the ongoing duty to carry testimony.

BDB5857 H5707

עֵד₆₉ noun masculine^{Deut 17:6} witness (probably from reiterating, hence emphatically affirming); — ׳ע absolute Gen 31:48 +, construct Exod 20:16 +; suffix עֵדִי Job 16:19 plural עֵדִים Num 35:30 +, construct עֵדֵי Ps 27:12; Ps 35:11 suffix עֵדַי Isa 43:10; Isa 43:12, etc.; —

1. witness, testimony, evidence, of things: heap of stones Gen 31:44; Gen 31:48; Gen 31:52 (JE), torn animal Exod 22:12 (E), song of Moses Deut 31:19; Deut 31:21 (J), law-book vDeut 31:26 (D), witness of ׳י against Israel; altar east of Jordan, with בֵּין, Josh 22:27; Josh 22:28; Josh 22:34 (P), compare Isa 19:20 Job's evil condition Job 16:8 the moon Ps 89:38.

2. witness, a person:
a. God, in heaven for Job Job 16:19 on earth, for Samuel 1Sam 12:5 (twice in verse) + v1Sam 12:6 ᵐ5 Th and most, Jeremiah Jer 42:5 see also 1Sam 20:12 (insert עֵד before ׳י ᵑ6 Dr Bu Kit Löhr HPS); against persons Jer 29:23; Mal 3:5, nations Mic 1:2 between (בֵּין persons Gen 31:50 (E).
b. Davidic dyn., to nations Isa 55:4.
c. witnesses, of transfer of property Jer 32:10; Jer 32:12; Jer 32:25; Jer 32:44, betrothal Ruth 4:9; Ruth 4:10; Ruth 4:11 usually of testimony in court, and in civil and social relations, with בְּ against, Num 5:13; Josh 24:22; 1Sam 12:5 +, with קום rise up against Ps 27:12; Ps 35:11 עָנָה עֵד שֶׁקֶר בְּ answer (in court) as a false witness against Exod 20:16 = עֵד שָׁוְא Deut 5:17; Prov 25:18 לְפִי עֵדִים Num 35:30 (P); עַלפִּֿי עֵדִ(יםׅ Deut 17:6 (twice in verse) at the mouth of witnesses, so Deut 19:15 (twice in verse). — False witness is שֶׁקֶר ׳ע Exod 20:16; Deut 19:18 (twice in verse); Ps 27:12; Prov 6:19; Prov 14:5 שְׁקָרִים ׳ע Prov 12:17; Prov 19:5; Prov 19:9 כְּזָבִים ׳ע Prov 21:28 חִנָּם ׳ע Prov 24:28 בְּלִיַּעַל ׳ע Prov 19:28 חָמָס ׳ע witness of (i.e. supporting) violence Exod 23:1 (E) Deut 19:16; Ps 35:11. Faithful witness is אֱמוּנִים ׳ע Prov 14:5 אֱמֶת ׳ע Jer 42:5; Prov 14:25.

BDB9914 H7717 H5707

[שָֽׂהֲדוּ] noun feminine testimony (√ שְׂהַד = ᵑ7 סְהַד testify, Syriac , Arabic testify, compare Biblical Hebrew [שָׂהֵד] (once, as loan-word) K^{Aramaic 86}; Egyptian Aramaic plural שהדיאֹ witnesses Cooke⁴⁰⁴ S-C^{A. 15} + often); — emphatic שָֽׂהֲדוּתָא Gen 31:47 (|| Biblical Hebrew עֵד).

witness, witnesses

ʿēd

concretely, a witness; abstractly, testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e., prince

witness

witness, testimony, evidence (of things)

שָֽׁוְא

Root word vain, vanity, false, lying, falsely, …

Dictionary form: שָׁוְא · shoh

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: false

vanity ×15 in vain ×10 vain ×5 of vanity ×3 false ×2 for vain ×2 it is vain ×2 lying ×2

More options

emptiness — Captures futility and nothingness; broadly applicable.

worthless — Good for contexts emphasizing lack of value or substance.

falsehood — Prefer when deception or lying is the primary sense.

deceptive — Adjectival; suits oaths, words, or promises that mislead.

futile — Strong choice for actions or efforts that accomplish nothing.

hollow — Evokes insincerity or moral shallowness in speech or worship.

BDB8364 H7588 H7723

שָׁאוֺן noun masculine^{Hos 10:14} roar (of waters, etc.), din, crash, uproar; — absolute ׳שׁ Hos 10:14 +; construct שְׁאוֺן Isa 13:4 +; suffix שְׁאוֺנָהּ Isa 5:14 —

1. roar of water (waves), Isa 17:12 (|| הָמָה), simile of noise of invading host, so vIsa 17:13, but strike out Du Che^Hpt Marti, as doublet; roar of this host vIsa 17:12 (|| הָמוֺן), compare שְׁאוֺן קוֺלָם Jer 51:55 of waves also Ps 65:8 (twice in verse); of din, or crash of battle Amos 2:2; Hos 10:14; Ps 74:23 ׳בְּנֵי שׁ Jer 48:45 (i. e. warriors); of battle in which ׳י beats down his foes Jer 25:31, compare Isa 66:6 of gathering hosts Isa 13:4 זָרִים Isa 25:3 (Du Marti, plausibly, גְּאוֺן זְדִים, as Isa 13:11); read ׳שׁ also probably (for שַׁאֲנָן, q. v.) 2Kgs 19:28 = Isa 37:29 in mocking appell. of Pharaoh (Necho), Jer 46:17 ׳פּ (ᵐ5 ᵑ6 ᵑ9) קִרְאוּ שֵׁם call ye the name of Phoenician a crash.

2. uproar of revellers Isa 5:14; Isa 24:8. — ׳בּוֺר שׁ Ps 40:3, pit of roaring (of waters? figurative, compare מַעֲמַקֵּימַֿיִם Ps 69:3, where also || יָוִן); Thes and others of destruction (see √ 2), but against usage of שָׁאוֺן; > Du proposes בּוֺר שָׁוְא (compare נָפַת שָׁוְא Isa 30:28).

BDB8496 H7723

שָׁוְא noun [masculine] emptiness, vanity; — ׳שׁ absolute Exod 23:1 + 51 t., שָׁו Job 15:31 (Kt); —

1. emptiness, nothingness, vanity: תְּשׁוּעַת אָרָם ׳שׁ Ps 60:13 vain (is) man's deliverance, = Ps 108:13 לָכֶם ׳שׁ Ps 127:2 it is vain (useless) for you; Ps 89:48 for (עַל) what nothingness hast thou created man ? compare ׳יַרְחֵי שׁ Job 7:3 ׳הַבְלֵי שׁ Ps 31:7 (idols) = Jonah 2:9, compare Jer 18:15 + Hos 5:11 ᵐ5 (for צָו); ׳מִנְחַת שׁ Isa 1:13 of ineffective offering to ׳י; ׳נשׂא לַשּׁ (לֹא) Exod 20:7 (twice in verse) take up name of God in vain (to no good purpose) = Deut 5:11 (twice in verse), compare Ps 24:4; Ps 139:20 [ᵑ0 lifted up in vain are thy foes, but read שְׁמֶ֑ךָ for עָרֶיךָ, compare נשׂא 1 b (7); al. עָלֶיךָ, see II. עָר]; ׳היה שׁ Hos 12:12 become nothing (We ׳עשׂה שׁ, and so 3); ׳ראה שׁ Ps 119:37 adverb ׳לַשּׁ in vain Jer 2:30; Jer 4:30; Jer 6:29; Jer 46:11 ׳שׁ Ps 127:1 (twice in verse); Mal 3:14.

2. emptiness of speech, || lying, ׳שׁ וּדְבַר כָּזָב Prov 30:8 ׳דבּר שׁ Ps 12:3; Ps 41:7; Ps 144:8; Ps 144:11; Isa 59:4; Ezek 13:8 ׳אָלוֺת שׁ Hos 10:4 + Hos 12:2 ᵐ5 We and others (for שֹׁד); ׳הָלַךְ עִםשֿׁ Job 31:5 (|| מִרְמָה); ׳עֵד שׁ Deut 5:17 (= עֵד שָֽׁקֶר Exod 20:16); compare ׳שֵׁמַע שׁ Exod 23:1 (E); of false (empty) prophecy ׳חֲזוֺן שׁ Ezek 12:24, ׳חָזוּ שׁ Lam 2:14 see also Ezek 13:6; Ezek 13:7; Ezek 13:9; Ezek 13:23; Ezek 21:34; Ezek 22:28; Job 35:13 (or empty complaining, below 1); ׳קסם שׁ Ezek 21:28 חֲלֹמוֺת ׳הַשּׁ Zech 10:2.

3. of conduct, worthlessness (Buhl below 1, 2); ׳מְרתי שׁ worthless men Ps 26:4; Job 11:11 worthless motives (in figurative) ׳חַבְלֵי הַשּׁ Isa 5:18 ׳נָפַת שׁ Isa 30:28 (i.e. sifting out the worthless; al. sieve of (bringing) disappointment); play on meanings in Job 15:31 (twice in verse), compare Dr^{Job, Psalt. 464}.

vain, vanity, false, lying, falsely, …

šow

evil (as destructive), literally (ruin) or morally (especially guile); figuratively idolatry (as false, subjective), uselessness (as deceptive, objective; also adverbially, in vain)

emptiness, vanity, falsehood

emptiness, nothingness, vanity

The cantillation accents are the Masoretes' punctuation: each group below ends at a pausing accent. Translate a group as one unit.

וְלֹֽא תַעֲנֶ֥ה בְרֵֽעֲךָ֖ Tipeha — a lesser break עֵ֥ד שָֽׁוְא Silluq — end of the verse

וְלֹֽא-תַעֲנֶה בְרֵֽעֲךָ עֵד שָֽׁוְא׃

Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbour.

Cross References

Exodus 20:16

לֹֽא-תַעֲנֶה בְרֵֽעֲךָ עֵד שָֽׁקֶר׃

Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

Exodus 23:1

לֹא תִשָּׂא שֵׁמַע שָׁוְא אַל-תָּשֶׁת יָֽדְךָ עִם-רָשָׁע לִֽהְיֹת עֵד חָמָֽס׃

Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.

Proverbs 19:9

עֵד שְׁקָרִים לֹא יִנָּקֶה וְיָפִיחַ כְּזָבִים יֹאבֵֽד׃

A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.

Proverbs 19:5

עֵד שְׁקָרִים לֹא יִנָּקֶה וְיָפִיחַ כְּזָבִים לֹא יִמָּלֵֽט׃

A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.

Malachi 3:5

וְקָרַבְתִּי אֲלֵיכֶם לַמִּשְׁפָּט וְהָיִיתִי׀ עֵד מְמַהֵר בַּֽמְכַשְּׁפִים וּבַמְנָאֲפִים וּבַנִּשְׁבָּעִים לַשָּׁקֶר וּבְעֹשְׁקֵי שְׂכַר-שָׂכִיר אַלְמָנָה וְיָתוֹם וּמַטֵּי-גֵר וְלֹא יְרֵאוּנִי אָמַר יְהוָה צְבָאֽוֹת׃

And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.

1 Kings 21:13

וַיָּבֹאוּ שְׁנֵי הָֽאֲנָשִׁים בְּנֵֽי-בְלִיַּעַל וַיֵּֽשְׁבוּ נֶגְדּוֹ וַיְעִדֻהוּ אַנְשֵׁי הַבְּלִיַּעַל אֶת-נָבוֹת נֶגֶד הָעָם לֵאמֹר בֵּרַךְ נָבוֹת אֱלֹהִים וָמֶלֶךְ וַיֹּֽצִאֻהוּ מִחוּץ לָעִיר וַיִּסְקְלֻהוּ בָֽאֲבָנִים וַיָּמֹֽת׃

And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him: and the men of Belial witnessed against him, even against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth did blaspheme God and the king. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died.

Deuteronomy 19:16

כִּֽי-יָקוּם עֵד-חָמָס בְּאִישׁ לַֽעֲנוֹת בּוֹ סָרָֽה׃

If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong;

Proverbs 6:19

יָפִיחַ כְּזָבִים עֵד שָׁקֶר וּמְשַׁלֵּחַ מְדָנִים בֵּין אַחִֽים׃

A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

Deuteronomy 5:19

Read Deuteronomy 5

Deuteronomy 5:21

Deuteronomy 5:20

Word Breakdown

Vowels & Accents

Grammar C/Tn

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Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H3808

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Vowels & Accents

Grammar Vqi2ms

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Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H6030

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Grammar R/Ncmsc/Sp2ms

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Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H7453

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Grammar Ncmsc

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Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H5707

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Grammar Ncmsa

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Brown-Driver-Briggs (BDB)

Strong's Definition H7723

Masoretic Phrasing

KJV