"one who utters a falsehood, a liar, Jn. 8:44, 55; Rom. 3:4; 1 Tim. 1:10; Tit. 1:12; 1 Jn. 1:10; 2:4, 22; 4:20; 5:10*"
Definition and meaning
one who utters a falsehood, a liar, Jn. 8:44, 55; Rom. 3:4; 1 Tim. 1:10; Tit. 1:12; 1 Jn. 1:10; 2:4, 22; 4:20; 5:10*
In the original Greek the word is written: ψεύστης
Historical context
John wrote for an audience familiar with both Jewish Scripture and Greek philosophy. The logos — the Word — was a term Greek philosophers used for the rational principle underlying the universe. John takes that concept and says: that logos became a person and lived among us. Crucifixion was the Roman execution method designed to maximize public humiliation, reserved for slaves and rebels.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of pseustes (G5583) across the King James Bible.
Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.
God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;
One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.
If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
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Common questions
Strong's G5583 (pseustes) is a Greek word that means: one who utters a falsehood, a liar, Jn. 8:44, 55; Rom. 3:4; 1 Tim. 1:10; Tit. 1:12; 1 Jn. 1:10; 2:4, 22; 4:20; 5:10* It appears 10 times in the King James Bible.
The word pseustes (G5583) appears 10 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G5583 is pseustes, a Greek word defined as: one who utters a falsehood, a liar, Jn. 8:44, 55; Rom. 3:4; 1 Tim. 1:10; Tit. 1:12; 1 Jn. 1:10; 2:4, 22; 4:20; 5:10*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
pseustes is a Greek word found in the New Testament.