Proverbs 26:19 Meaning and Explanation
“So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A deceiver harms his neighbour while claiming it was only a joke—the casual cruelty of false friendship.
The Context of Proverbs 26:19
This completes the thought begun in verse 18, comparing the deceiver's behaviour to madness, though his is deliberate.
What Does Proverbs 26:19 Mean?
A deceiver mimics the madman's harm but with a cruel twist: he knows what he does. He wounds, then laughs it off, claiming sport when his neighbour reacts with pain. He uses humour as a shield against accountability, turning malice into 'just joking.'
This captures a particular kind of relationship poison. False friendship combined with deception, cloaked in levity, destroys trust at its root. The deceiver's 'sport' is a lie; it was harm all along, and his claim of jest only deepens the betrayal.
Frequently Asked Questions About Proverbs 26:19
What does Proverbs 26:19 mean?
A deceiver harms his neighbour while claiming it was only a joke—the casual cruelty of false friendship.
What is the context of Proverbs 26:19?
This completes the thought begun in verse 18, comparing the deceiver's behaviour to madness, though his is deliberate.