Leasing
What Is Leasing in the Bible?
The term 'leasing' appears in the King James Version of the Bible as an archaic English word meaning 'lying' or 'speaking falsehood.' It translates the Hebrew word kazabh, which carries connotations of deliberate deception, fabrication, and treacherous speech. Unlike simple factual inaccuracies, leasing implies intentional deceit designed to harm or manipulate others. In modern translations, the word is rendered as 'falsehood' or 'lies' to convey its meaning more clearly to contemporary readers.
Biblical Occurrences and Context
Leasing appears specifically in two psalms. In Psalm 4:2 (KJV), David laments, 'O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing?' Here, leasing is contrasted with God's glory and associated with vanity, suggesting empty, deceptive words that dishonor God. In Psalm 5:6 (KJV), David declares of God, 'Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the LORD will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.' This verse connects leasing with violence and deceit, presenting it as behavior that God actively opposes and judges.
While the specific term appears only twice, the concept permeates Scripture. The Hebrew root appears elsewhere describing liars (Psalm 116:11), deception (Job 6:28), and false prophets (Jeremiah 5:31). The narrative of Joab's treachery against Amasa (2 Samuel 20:8-10) and Absalom's deceptive rise to power (2 Samuel 15:7-9) exemplify the destructive reality of leasing in action.
Theological Significance of Truth and Falsehood
Biblically, leasing represents more than social dishonesty—it reflects a fundamental spiritual conflict. God is characterized as truth (John 14:6) who cannot lie (Titus 1:2), while Satan is called 'the father of lies' (John 8:44). Leasing, therefore, aligns humanity with the deceptive nature of evil rather than the truthful nature of God. The Psalms consistently present truth-telling as integral to worship and relationship with God, while falsehood separates people from Him (Psalm 15:1-2).
In the New Testament, Jesus intensifies this teaching, emphasizing that truth begins in the heart (Matthew 15:18-19) and that His followers must let their 'yes be yes' and their 'no be no' (Matthew 5:37). The early church maintained this emphasis, instructing believers to 'put away falsehood' and 'speak truth' to one another (Ephesians 4:25).
Leasing in Ancient Near Eastern Context
In the ancient world where biblical texts originated, oaths, treaties, and verbal agreements held tremendous social and legal weight. A person's word was often their primary bond, making deceptive speech particularly destructive to social cohesion. Ancient Near Eastern law codes, like the Code of Hammurabi, prescribed severe penalties for false testimony, recognizing how lies could undermine justice.
Within Israel's covenant community, truthfulness was essential because their relationship with Yahweh was based on His faithful promises. False prophets who spoke 'leasing' in God's name (Jeremiah 23:16) threatened the entire covenant structure by misleading people about God's will. The biblical emphasis on truthfulness thus served both practical social purposes and profound theological ones.
Contemporary Relevance
While modern readers no longer use the term 'leasing,' the biblical concern about deceptive speech remains vital. In an age of misinformation, manipulated media, and political spin, Scripture's call to truthfulness challenges both individual integrity and communal ethics. The psalms' treatment of leasing reminds believers that how we speak reflects our allegiance—either to the God of truth or to the father of lies.
The biblical response to leasing isn't merely avoidance but active pursuit of truth. Christians are called to 'speak the truth in love' (Ephesians 4:15), recognizing that truthful speech builds up the community and honors God. In a world filled with deception, God's people are to be known as those whose words can be trusted, reflecting the character of their truthful Lord.
Biblical Context
The term 'leasing' appears exclusively in the King James Version's Psalms 4:2 and 5:6, translating the Hebrew word kazabh. The concept, however, appears throughout Scripture in discussions of false testimony (Exodus 20:16), deceptive speech (Proverbs 6:16-19), and false prophecy (Jeremiah 14:14). Key narratives illustrating the destructive power of deceptive speech include Joab's murder of Amasa (2 Samuel 20:8-10), Absalom's conspiracy against David (2 Samuel 15:7-9), and the betrayal of Jesus by false witnesses (Matthew 26:59-60).
Theological Significance
Leasing matters theologically because it represents alignment with Satan's character rather than God's. Since God is truth (John 14:6) and Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44), deceptive speech places one in spiritual opposition to God. Truthfulness reflects God's nature and builds community trust, while falsehood destroys relationships and dishonors God's image in humanity. The biblical condemnation of leasing underscores that ethical speech is not merely social etiquette but spiritual warfare.
Historical Background
In ancient Israelite society, oral culture placed high value on verbal reliability. Without widespread literacy, business agreements, legal testimony, and community governance depended heavily on spoken words. The ninth commandment's prohibition against false witness (Exodus 20:16) protected this social fabric. Ancient Near Eastern treaties typically included curses against parties who broke their word, showing widespread recognition of deception's destructive power. Israel's distinctiveness lay in connecting truthfulness directly to Yahweh's character, making honest speech an act of covenant faithfulness.