כָּזָב
ka.zav
lie
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Hebrew word ka.zav, Strong's number H3577, consistently translates to "lie." This straightforward definition suggests that the term is directly associated with deception or false statements. Its presence in the category of Sin & Righteousness underscores its connection to moral wrongdoing, implying that lies can have serious consequences in a righteous society. The occurrence of ka.zav 31 times in the Bible indicates its importance and frequency of use. This repeated emphasis highlights the gravity of deception, reinforcing the idea that honesty and truthfulness are essential in relationships and communication. Ka.zav's prevalence also suggests that lies may serve as a common factor in various situations, including personal relationships, business transactions, or communal interactions. Ka.zav's significance lies in its association with moral consequences. In biblical narratives, lies often lead to chaos, division, and strife. By frequently highlighting the dangers of deception, the Bible may be drawing attention to the importance of trustworthiness, authenticity, and open communication as the foundation for healthy and fulfilling relationships.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
31 total occurrences across the text
You sons of men, how long shall my glory be turned into dishonor? Will you love vanity and seek after falsehood?
Psalms 5:6You will destroy those who speak lies. Yahweh abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.
Psalms 40:4Blessed is the man who makes Yahweh his trust, and doesn’t respect the proud, nor such as turn away to lies.
Psalms 58:3The wicked go astray from the womb. They are wayward as soon as they are born, speaking lies.
Psalms 62:4They fully intend to throw him down from his lofty place. They delight in lies. They bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly.
Psalms 62:9Surely men of low degree are just a breath, and men of high degree are a lie. In the balances they will go up. They are together lighter than a breath.
Proverbs 6:19a false witness who utters lies, and he who sows discord among brothers.
Proverbs 14:5A truthful witness will not lie, but a false witness pours out lies.
Proverbs 14:25A truthful witness saves souls, but a false witness is deceitful.
Proverbs 19:5A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who pours out lies shall not go free.
Proverbs 19:9A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who utters lies shall perish.
Proverbs 19:22That which makes a man to be desired is his kindness. A poor man is better than a liar.
Proverbs 21:28A false witness will perish. A man who listens speaks to eternity.
Proverbs 23:3Don’t be desirous of his dainties, since they are deceitful food.
Proverbs 30:8Remove far from me falsehood and lies. Give me neither poverty nor riches. Feed me with the food that is needful for me,
Isaiah 28:15“Because you have said, ‘We have made a covenant with death, and we are in agreement with Sheol. When the overflowing scourge passes through, it won’t come to us; for we have made lies our refuge, and we have hidden ourselves under falsehood.’ ”
Isaiah 28:17I will make justice the measuring line, and righteousness the plumb line. The hail will sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters will overflow the hiding place.
Ezekiel 13:6They have seen falsehood and lying divination, who say, ‘Yahweh says;’ but Yahweh has not sent them. They have made men to hope that the word would be confirmed.
Ezekiel 13:7Haven’t you seen a false vision, and haven’t you spoken a lying divination, in that you say, ‘Yahweh says;’ but I have not spoken?”
Ezekiel 13:8“ ‘Therefore the Lord Yahweh says: “Because you have spoken falsehood and seen lies, therefore, behold, I am against you,” says the Lord Yahweh.
Ezekiel 13:9“My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and who utter lying divinations. They will not be in the council of my people, neither will they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither will they enter into the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord Yahweh.”
Ezekiel 13:19You have profaned me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to kill the souls who should not die, and to save the souls alive who should not live, by your lying to my people who listen to lies.’
Ezekiel 21:29while they see for you false visions, while they divine lies to you, to lay you on the necks of the wicked who are deadly wounded, whose day has come in the time of the iniquity of the end.
Ezekiel 22:28Her prophets have plastered for them with whitewash, seeing false visions, and divining lies to them, saying, ‘The Lord Yahweh says,’ when Yahweh has not spoken.
Daniel 11:27As for both these kings, their hearts will be to do mischief, and they will speak lies at one table; but it won’t prosper, for the end will still be at the appointed time.
Hosea 7:13Woe to them! For they have wandered from me. Destruction to them! For they have trespassed against me. Though I would redeem them, yet they have spoken lies against me.
Hosea 12:1Ephraim feeds on wind, and chases the east wind. He continually multiplies lies and desolation. They make a covenant with Assyria, and oil is carried into Egypt.
Amos 2:4Yahweh says: “For three transgressions of Judah, yes, for four, I will not turn away its punishment; because they have rejected Yahweh’s law, and have not kept his statutes, and their lies have led them astray, after which their fathers walked;
Zephaniah 3:13The remnant of Israel will not do iniquity, nor speak lies, neither will a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth, for they will feed and lie down, and no one will make them afraid.”
Judges 16:10Delilah said to Samson, “Behold, you have mocked me, and told me lies. Now please tell me how you might be bound.”
Judges 16:13Delilah said to Samson, “Until now, you have mocked me and told me lies. Tell me with what you might be bound.” He said to her, “If you weave the seven locks of my head with the fabric on the loom.”