Abarim Publications' online Biblical Hebrew Dictionary
כזב
The verb כזב (kazab) means to lie (Numbers 23:19, Isaiah 57:11), or to disappoint or fail (Habakkuk 2:3, Isaiah 58:11). Figuratively, this verb is used to describe a brook or stream that has dried up: Job 6:15, Jeremiah 15:18, also see Isaiah 58:11 (and the opposite of a lying river is a river whose water is sure — Isaiah 33:16; also see the delightful name Amana)
Its derivations are:
- The masculine noun כזב (kazab), meaning a lie, falsehood or deception (Judges 16:10, Amos 2:4, Isaiah 28:15).
- The adjective אכזב ('akzab), meaning deceptive or disappointing (Jeremiah 15:18 and Micah 1:14 only).
The Bible considers lies the ultimate opposite of whatever God is, stands for and wishes to bring about. Since God is Truth (Deuteronomy 32:4, John 14:6), satan is called the father of lies (John 8:44), and an idol a teacher of lies (Habakkuk 2:18).
God will not lie (1 Samuel 16:29), does not lie (Numbers 23:19), and may even not be able to lie (Titus 1:2).
The apparent paradox that arises when this latter statement is measured against God's omnipotence is easily solved by the notion that lies limit. An inability to limit oneself is a characteristic of omnipotence, not a challenge to it.