Original Word: שֶׁקֶר
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: sheqer
Pronunciation: SHEH-ker
Phonetic Spelling: (sheh'-ker)
KJV: without a cause, deceit(-ful), false(-hood, -ly), feignedly, liar, + lie, lying, vain (thing), wrongfully
NASB: falsehood, falsely, false , lie, lying, lies, deceiving
Word Origin: [from H8266 (שָׁקַר - deal falsely)]

1. an untruth
2. (by implication, often adverbial) a fraud or deceit (i.e. fraudulently, deceitfully)

without a cause, deceitful, falsehood feignedly, liar, lie, lying, vain thing, wrongfully

From shaqar; an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial) -- without a cause, deceit(-ful), false(-hood, -ly), feignedly, liar, + lie, lying, vain (thing), wrongfully.

see HEBREW shaqar

Word Origin
from an unused word
Definition
deception, disappointment, falsehood
NASB Translation
deceit (2), deceitful (3), deceiving (4), deception (3), deceptive (3), false (17), false hope (1), falsehood (19), falsehoods (1), falsely (19), liar (1), lie (14), lies (5), lying (12), lying visions (1), perjury* (1), slander* (1), treacherously (1), useless (1), vain (1), wrongfully (3).

שֶׁ֫קֶר₁₁₃ noun masculine deception, disappointment, falsehood; — ׳שׁ Exodus 23:7 64t.; שָׁ֑קֶר Exodus 5:9 42t.; plural שְׁקָרִים Psalm 101:7 3t.; suffix שִׁקְרֵיהֶם Jeremiah 23:22; —

1 deception, what deceives, disappoints, and betrays one : a molten image Jeremiah 10:14 = Jeremiah 51:17; gift Proverbs 25:14; grace of person Proverbs 31:30, etc.; ׳אֹ֫רַח שׁ Psalm 119:104; Psalm 119:128; ׳דֶּ֫רֶח שׁ Psalm 119:29; ׳בטח בשׁ Jeremiah 13:25; ׳נחל שׁ Jeremiah 16:19, compare also Psalm 7:15; Psalm 33:17; Psalm 119:118; Isaiah 28:15; לַשֶּׁקֶר for disappointment, in vain 1 Samuel 25:21; Jeremiah 3:23.

2 deceit, fraud, wrong : ׳עשׂה (ל) שׁ do or practise fraud, wrong Hosea 7:1; Jeremiah 6:13; Jeremiah 8:8,10; with בְ, 2 Samuel 18:13; ׳מְּעֻלַּת שׁ Proverbs 11:18; ׳לֶ֫חֶם שׁ Proverbs 20:17 food got by fraud; ׳זֶ֫רע שׁ Isaiah 57:4; ׳עֵט שׁ Jeremiah 8:8; ׳ילד שׁ Psalm 7:15 ("" עמל); ׳דרךְ לשׁון קשׁת שׁ Jeremiah 9:2; ׳בְּשׁ Jeremiah 3:10 ("" בגד), adverb שׁקד fraudulently, wrongfully Psalm 35:19; Psalm 38:20; Psalm 69:5; Psalm 119:78; Psalm 119:86.

3 injurious falsehood, in testimony, especially in courts : עַד שֶׁקֶר Exodus 20:16 (E) Deuteronomy 19:18; Psalm 27:12; Proverbs 6:19; Proverbs 14:5; Proverbs 25:18; עֵד שׁקרים Proverbs 12:17; Proverbs 19:5,9; ׳ענה שׁ Deuteronomy 19:18 testify falsehood; ׳שְׁבֻעַת שׁ Ze Deuteronomy 8:17 false oath; ׳נשׁבע לשׁ swear falsely Jeremiah 5:2 5t.; ׳נשׁבע על שׁ Leviticus 5:22; ׳דבּר שׁ Micah 6:12 + (see [ דָּבַר], דָּבָר); ׳אִמְרֵ י שׁ Isaiah 32:7; ׳שׂפת(י) שׁ Psalm 31:19; Psalm 120:2; Proverbs 10:18; Proverbs 17:7; טפל ׳שׁ Job 13:4; Psalm 119:69, compare Psalm 119:163; absolute false ! 2 Kings 9:12; Jeremiah 37:14.

4 falsity, of false or self-deceived prophets: ׳נכּא שׁ prophesy falsely Jeremiah 14:14; Jeremiah 23:25,26; Jeremiah 29:21; + ל person Jeremiah 27:10; Jeremiah 20:14,16; ׳לַשּׁ ׳נ Jeremiah 20:15; ׳בשׁ ׳נ Jeremiah 5:31; Jeremiah 20:6; Jeremiah 29:9; ׳מוֺרֶה שׁ Isaiah 9:14; Habakkuk 2:18; ׳חזה שׁ Zechariah 10:2; ׳חֲזוֺן שׁ Jeremiah 14:14, etc., (+ 12 t.); ׳רוּח שׁ.

5 lie, falsehood, in General: ׳דבר שׁ Psalm 101:7 ("" רְמִיָּה); ׳דְּבַר שׁ Proverbs 13:5; of מִלִּים Job 36:4; ׳לְשׁוֺן שׁ false tongue Proverbs 6:17; Proverbs 12:19; Proverbs 21:6; Proverbs 26:28; Psalm 109:2; of lips Proverbs 12:22; ׳אִישׁ שׁ Proverbs 17:4 liar.

Prevalence in Scripture

שֶׁקֶר (sheqer) appears roughly 113 times across the Old Testament. It is rendered “lie,” “falsehood,” “deceit,” “fraud,” “false witness,” and related ideas. The distribution is widest in Psalms, Proverbs, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Zechariah, but the term also occurs in the Pentateuch and historical books, showing that every era of Israel’s history confronted the sin of lying.

Sheqer and the Character of God

Scripture contrasts sheqer with the immutable truthfulness of Yahweh. “God is not a man, that He should lie” (Numbers 23:19). Because the LORD is “a God of truth” (Deuteronomy 32:4), falsehood is always a denial of His nature. The prophets repeatedly ground their denunciations of deception in God’s faithfulness (Isaiah 65:16; Zechariah 8:16–17; compare Psalm 31:5).

Sheqer in Human Relationships

At the personal level sheqer breaks trust and community. The Ninth Commandment—“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” (Exodus 20:16)—protects covenant society from the chaos that untruth brings. Proverbs repeatedly affirms that “Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who act faithfully are His delight” (Proverbs 12:22; see also 6:16-19; 14:5, 25; 21:6). False words wound relationships (Psalm 109:2), create fear (Psalm 27:12), and ruin reputations (Psalm 119:69).

Sheqer and Judicial Integrity

Courtroom contexts feature sheqer prominently. False witnesses threaten justice, so Mosaic law demands that a proven perjurer receive the penalty he intended for the accused (Deuteronomy 19:16-21). Kings were to uphold truth (“He who rules in the fear of God,” 2 Samuel 23:3) and condemn lying testimony (1 Kings 21:13-24 highlights the travesty when they did not).

False Prophecy and Religious Deception

More than a third of all occurrences relate to prophetic ministry. Jeremiah calls the assurances of unrepentant peace “the vision of his own mind, not of the mouth of the LORD” (Jeremiah 23:16). Ezekiel labels prophets who “whitewash” Israel’s sins as speaking sheqer (Ezekiel 13:9-10). Zechariah warns, “Do not love perjury, for all these are things that I hate” (Zechariah 8:17). The severity here is theological: to utter sheqer in Yahweh’s name is to misrepresent Him, leading His people into destruction (Jeremiah 28:15-17).

Idolatry Described as Sheqer

False gods are “a delusion, a work of mockery” (Jeremiah 10:14). Isaiah exposes idols as “teachers of lies” (Isaiah 44:20). The prophets purposely use sheqer for idolatry to show that worshiping any deity but Yahweh is fundamentally deceitful and empty.

National Apostasy and Covenant Breach

Hosea, Jeremiah, and Micah decry a national culture of sheqer—oaths sworn falsely, treaties violated, weights and measures misused (Hosea 4:1-2; Jeremiah 9:3-6; Micah 6:10-12). These systemic lies betray covenant loyalty (hesed) and invite judgment. Assyrian and Babylonian exiles, therefore, stand as historical demonstrations that social falsehood cannot coexist with divine blessing.

Consequences of Sheqer

Divine retribution ranges from personal disgrace (Proverbs 19:5, 9) to national exile (Jeremiah 27:10). Psalm 52:5 depicts God’s swift action: “Surely God will bring you down to everlasting ruin.” Zechariah links famine and plague to collective lying (Zechariah 8:10-11). Even when temporal judgment is delayed, sheqer stores up wrath for the Day of the LORD (Isaiah 28:15-17).

Calls to Truthfulness

Righteous alternatives include:
• Speaking truth in one’s heart (Psalm 15:2)
• Swearing truthfully (Jeremiah 4:2)
• Practicing honest scales (Leviticus 19:35-36)
• Rendering true judgments (Zechariah 8:16)

These commands create a theological ethic: truth is an act of worship and neighbor-love.

Christological Fulfillment and New Covenant Echoes

While sheqer is confined to the Hebrew canon, the New Testament amplifies its moral weight. Jesus identifies Satan as “a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). Paul exhorts believers to “put off falsehood and speak truthfully” (Ephesians 4:25), echoing Zechariah 8:16. Revelation warns that “all liars” face the lake of fire (Revelation 21:8). The incarnate Word embodies perfect truth (John 14:6), providing both model and means for sanctification “in the truth” (John 17:17).

Pastoral and Discipleship Applications

1. Personal Integrity: Regular self-examination with Psalm 139:23-24 guards against subtle deceit.
2. Corporate Holiness: Church discipline addresses false teaching and slander, reflecting Jeremiah’s zeal for purity.
3. Evangelism: Presenting the gospel demands honest proclamation, contrasting with idols of sheqer.
4. Social Witness: Advocacy for truthful commerce and justice mirrors Mosaic statutes, demonstrating the kingdom ethic.

Summary

Sheqer is more than a moral lapse; it is a theological affront to the God of truth, fracturing human relationships and inviting divine judgment. Scripture therefore exposes, condemns, and offers redemption from falsehood, calling God’s people to embody truth in every sphere of life through the grace revealed in Jesus Christ.

בְּשִׁקְרֵיהֶ֖ם בְּשֶׁ֖קֶר בְשֶׁ֔קֶר בַּשֶּׁ֙קֶר֙ בַּשָּֽׁקֶר׃ בַשֶּׁ֗קֶר בשקר בשקר׃ בשקריהם הַשֶּׁ֖קֶר הַשָּׁ֑קֶר השקר וָשֶׁ֣קֶר וּבַשֶּׁ֥קֶר ובשקר ושקר לַשֶּׁ֖קֶר לַשֶּׁ֛קֶר לַשֶּׁ֣קֶר לַשֶּׁ֨קֶר לַשֶּׁקֶר֒ לַשָּׁ֑קֶר לשקר קר קרים שְׁ֭קָרִים שְׁקָרִ֑ים שְׁקָרִ֣ים שֶּׁ֖קֶר שֶׁ֑קֶר שֶׁ֓קֶר ׀ שֶׁ֔קֶר שֶׁ֖קֶר שֶׁ֗קֶר שֶׁ֙קֶר֙ שֶׁ֚קֶר שֶׁ֛קֶר שֶׁ֜קֶר שֶׁ֝֗קֶר שֶׁ֣קֶר שֶׁ֥קֶר שֶׁ֭קֶר שָּֽׁקֶר׃ שָּׁ֑קֶר שָֽׁקֶר׃ שָׁ֑קֶר שָׁ֥קֶר שקר שקר׃ שקרים baš·šā·qer baš·še·qer ḇaš·še·qer bashShaker bashSheker baššāqer baššeqer ḇaššeqer bə·še·qer ḇə·še·qer bə·šiq·rê·hem bəšeqer ḇəšeqer beSheker beshikreiHem bəšiqrêhem haš·šā·qer haš·še·qer hashShaker hashSheker haššāqer haššeqer karim ker laš·šā·qer laš·še·qer lashShaker lashsheKer laššāqer laššeqer qā·rîm qārîm qer šā·qer šāqer šə·qā·rîm še·qer šəqārîm šeqer Shaker shekaRim Sheker ū·ḇaš·še·qer ūḇaššeqer uvashSheker vaSheker vashSheker veSheker wā·še·qer wāšeqerInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts