The utterance of a false statement under oath or affirmation. The Decalogue (Ten Commandments) forbids both the swearing of false oaths and the bearing of false testimony (Exod 20:7; Exod 20:16; Deut 5:11; Deut 5:20; Lev 19:12; Jer 7:9). False witnesses are to suffer the same punishment that they had hoped to inflict upon the others (Deut 19:16-21), but the law also allows those who swear falsely to rectify their wrongdoing by making full restitution, paying a fine, and bringing a sin offering (Lev 5:1-6:30). In the NT, perjured witness against Jesus is reported (Mark 14:56-59). 1 Timothy notes that perjurers are among those for whom “the law” was laid down (1Tim 1:10).
