False Witness Warning: ψευδομαρτυρέω (Strong’s G5576: pseudomartureo) Corrupts Divine Truth

Strong’s G5576: A compound verb combining “pseudo” (false) and “martureo” (to witness/testify), meaning to bear false witness or give false testimony. Used in legal and ethical contexts throughout Scripture as a serious violation of God’s commandments.

U- Unveiling the Word

ψευδομαρτυρέω (pseudomartureo) embodies the grave sin of false testimony, combining the concept of deliberate falsehood (pseudo-) with the solemn act of bearing witness (martureo). This compound verb appears prominently in listings of serious sins, particularly in contexts where the Messiah or the apostles discuss the Ten Commandments. The word carries significant weight in both legal and moral spheres, as it represents not merely lying but the formal act of false testimony that can destroy justice and harm communities. In early church usage, this term gained additional significance as Christians faced false accusations during periods of persecution. Today, it remains deeply relevant as a reminder of our call to truth-telling and the serious nature of bearing false witness in both formal and informal contexts.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: ψευδομαρτυρέω, pseudomartureo, /psyoo-doh-mar-too-REH-oh/
• Detailed pronunciation: psü-do-mar-tü-re’-ō
• Part of Speech: Verb

Etymology:

• ψευδο- (pseudo-): prefix meaning “false” or “lying”
• μαρτυρέω (martureo): root verb meaning “to witness” or “to testify”
• -έω (-eo): verb suffix indicating ongoing action

D – Defining Meanings

• To bear false witness
• To give false testimony
• To testify falsely under oath

For compound words:
The prefix ψευδο- (pseudo-) adds the notion of falsehood or deception to the root μαρτυρέω (martureo), which means to testify or bear witness. The -έω ending indicates continuous action.

Translation Options:

• “to bear false witness” – captures both legal and moral dimensions
• “to give false testimony” – emphasizes formal legal context
• “to testify falsely” – highlights the action’s deceptive nature

E – Exploring Similar Words

• ψευδολόγος (pseudologos) /psyoo-DO-lo-gos/ – false speaker See G5573
• ψεύδομαι (pseudomai) /PSYOO-do-mai/ – to lie or deceive See G5574
• ψευδοπροφήτης (pseudoprophetes) /psyoo-do-pro-FEE-tace/ – false prophet See G5578

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

As a verb, ψευδομαρτυρέω exhibits:

• Tense: Present, Future, Aorist
• Voice: Active
• Mood: Indicative, Subjunctive, Imperative
• Person: First, Second, Third
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Aspect: Imperfective (present) or Perfective (aorist)

For example:

• ψευδομαρτυρῶ (present active indicative) – I am bearing false witness
• ψευδομαρτυρήσῃς (aorist active subjunctive) – you might bear false witness
• Cross-reference: ψευδομαρτυρία (noun form) – false testimony

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

The major lexicons provide rich insight into ψευδομαρτυρέω. BDAG emphasizes its use in legal contexts, particularly in relation to the Ninth Commandment. Thayer’s highlights its connection to formal testimony and its serious moral implications. LSJ notes its use in classical Greek legal proceedings. Vine’s emphasizes the compound nature of the word and its relationship to other “pseudo-” terms in the New Testament. Strong’s connects it to the broader concept of deception. LEH notes its use in the Septuagint, while Moulton and Milligan provide papyri evidence of its use in legal documents, showing its technical nature in ancient court proceedings.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:

“Thou shalt not bear false witness [ψευδομαρτυρέω].” Matthew 19:18

Additional References:
Matthew 26:59
Mark 10:19
Mark 14:56
Mark 14:57
Luke 18:20

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

ψευδομαρτυρέω represents more than just lying; it embodies a deliberate perversion of truth in contexts where truth-telling is crucial for justice and community well-being. The word’s appearance in the Messiah’s teachings and its use during His trial highlights its significance in biblical narrative. This term reminds us of our call to be truthful witnesses of the Gospel, contrasting with those who bore false witness against our Lord. The good news shines brighter as we realize that despite human falsehood, Jesus remained true to His mission, becoming our faithful and true witness.

D – Did You Know?

• ψευδομαρτυρέω was considered one of the most serious crimes in ancient Greek law
• The word appears significantly in the trial narrative of Jesus
• In ancient Greek courts, false witnesses could face the same punishment they sought to inflict on the accused

Strong’s G5576: A compound verb combining “pseudo” (false) and “martureo” (to witness/testify), meaning to bear false witness or give false testimony. Used in legal and ethical contexts throughout Scripture as a serious violation of God’s commandments.

Part of speech: Verb

Tags: false witness, testimony, lying, commandments, legal terms, truth, witness, deception, court, justice, biblical Greek, New Testament Greek, Greek verbs​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​