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What the Bible Says About Perjury

Overview

The Bible addresses perjury across 17 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Leviticus, Jeremiah and Zechariah. Closely related themes include Swearing Falsely, Falsehood, Oath and Dishonesty.

Key Bible verses about perjury

Old Testament

Leviticus

Leviticus 6:2

If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD, and lie unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbour; in fellowship: or, in dealing fellowship: Heb. putting of the hand

Leviticus 6:3

Or have found that which was lost, and lieth concerning it, and sweareth falsely; in any of all these that a man doeth, sinning therein:

Leviticus 6:4

Then it shall be, because he hath sinned, and is guilty, that he shall restore that which he took violently away, or the thing which he hath deceitfully gotten, or that which was delivered him to keep, or the lost thing which he found,

Leviticus 6:5

Or all that about which he hath sworn falsely; he shall even restore it in the principal, and shall add the fifth part more thereto, and give it unto him to whom it appertaineth, in the day of his trespass offering. in the day: or, in the day of his being found guilty: Heb. in the day of his trespass

Leviticus 6:6

And he shall bring his trespass offering unto the LORD, a ram without blemish out of the flock, with thy estimation, for a trespass offering, unto the priest:

Leviticus 6:7

And the priest shall make an atonement for him before the LORD: and it shall be forgiven him for any thing of all that he hath done in trespassing therein.

Leviticus 19:12

And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.

In the Bible dictionary

Studying perjury for yourself

  • Begin with Leviticus 6:2, then read the passages below in canonical order.
  • Compare how Leviticus, Jeremiah and Zechariah each treat the theme.
  • Widen the study to related themes: Swearing Falsely, Falsehood, Oath and Dishonesty.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about perjury?

The Bible addresses perjury across 17 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Leviticus, Jeremiah and Zechariah. Closely related themes include Swearing Falsely, Falsehood, Oath and Dishonesty.

How many Bible verses are about perjury?

The Bible references perjury in 17 verses (King James Version).

Where does the Bible first mention perjury?

In canonical order, the first of these passages is Leviticus 6:2: “If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD, and lie unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbour; in fellowship: or, in dealing fellowship: Heb. putting of the hand”

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