Sprüche 19:9

The group of proverbs (Pro 19:9-16) now following begins and closes in the same way as the preceding. 9 A lying witness doth not remain unpunished, And one who breathes out lies perisheth, or goeth to ruin, for אבד (R. בד, to divide, separate) signifies to lose oneself in the place of the separated, the dead (Arab. in the infinite). In Pro 19:5, instead of this ἀπολεῖται (lxx), the negative οὐ σωθήσεται is used, or as the lxx there more accurately renders it, οὐ διαφεύξεται.

Here is, 1. A repetition of what was said before (Pro 19:5), for we have need to be again and again warned of the danger of the sin of lying and false-witness-bearing, since nothing is of more fatal consequence. 2. An addition to it in one word; there it was said, He that speaks lies shall not escape, and intimated that he shall be punished. Here it is said, His punishment shall be such as will be his destruction: he shall perish; the lies he forged against others will be his own ruin. It is a damning destroying sin.

19:9 The reference to a false witness (see also 19:5) reminds us of the ninth commandment (Exod 20:16).