Did God commend or approve of Rahab’s lie?

[BARNEY BRIGHT]

She is commended for her faith in GOD (YHWH). She demonstrated her faith by receiving the spies in peace.



Yes.

Lying had little to do with what she did.

Rehab didn't speak the truth when she said she didn't know where the spies had gone, because when she said that to the soldiers she knew they were on the roof where she had hid them. The simple fact is people don't know the difference between withholding the truth from people who don't deserve the truth and a malicious lie. God is against malicious lies and always will be, but servants of the true God who don't speak the truth or withhold the truth from people who are trying to harm God servants the True God doesn't judge.

 

[ChristisGod]

There are lots of stories from the holocaust survivors who would of died had the truth regarding there whereabouts were known.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

At Genesis 20:12 the scriptures show that Sarai is the daughter of Abraham's father but not the daughter of his mother so Sarai was Abraham's half sister. However even though Sarai was the half sister of Abram she was also his wife. However by Abram telling his wife Sarai to say to Pharoah and his people that she was only his sister was leading pharoah and his people to believe that his wife Sarai was only his sister and not his wife. So Abram wasn't being truthful to Pharoah regarding Sarai, he led him to believe a lie, because a lie is the opposite of truth.

Again, not revealing a truth to someone is not a lie. If I don’t tell you how much I make, that is not a lie for me not to tell you. There is no indication in the text that the Pharaoh or the Egyptians asked Abram if he was his wife. Abram’s declaration that Sarai was his sister was true (i.e. she was his half sister).

In fact, Jesus said destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up again. The Jews thought Jesus was referring to the religious temple, but Jesus was referring to His body. So did Jesus allow them to believe a lie? Jesus could have clarified what He meant with the Jews? But Jesus let them believe the wrong thing. How that any different than with Abram’s situation?

 

[Bible Highlighter]

There are lots of stories from the holocaust survivors who would of died had the truth regarding there whereabouts were known.

You don’t have to lie to save their lives, though. If I was hiding Jews inside a secret chamber in my house, and Nazi’s showed up and asked me if I am hiding any Jews, I would tell them, “Do you see any Jews around here?” “I don’t see any Jews around here.” “Feel free to look around if you like, though.”

 

[Bible Highlighter]

While I disagree with their interpretation on 1 John 1:8, I think the following video by Apologetics Press is a pretty good explanation involving Rahab.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

While much of what you say is true, I think you're missing the whole point of the story of Rahab.

There were some in the Bible who God considered to be "righteous", even though we know they committed some sinful acts. Noah and David for example.

The point of the story of Rahab was her faith; not whether or not she lied. Besides, lying is a forgivable sin.

Personally, *I* forgive her.

I am not missing the bigger picture by any means. Although I hold to two different possibilities involving Rahab’s words towards the guards, I agree with the recent apologetic video (I posted) (See: My post #145). The only thing I disagree with them on is their interpretation of 1 John 1:8.

 

[BARNEY BRIGHT]

Again, not revealing a truth to someone is not a lie. If I don’t tell you how much I make, that is not a lie for me not to tell you. There is no indication in the text that the Pharaoh or the Egyptians asked Abram if he was his wife. Abram’s declaration that Sarai was his sister was true (i.e. she was his half sister).

In fact, Jesus said destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up again. The Jews thought Jesus was referring to the religious temple, but Jesus was referring to His body. So did Jesus allow them to believe a lie? Jesus could have clarified what He meant with the Jews? But Jesus let them believe the wrong thing. How that any different than with Abram’s situation?

I disagree, the example you gave about how much money you make isn't even close to what Abram did. If you were deliberately trying to convince someone you made a certain amount of money when the amount you made was completely different then you would be doing what Abram did. He deliberately told his wife to convince the Pharoah and his people to believe that she was only Abram's sister. It was a premeditated lie or untruth.
What Jesus did he didn't deliberately lead the people to believe one thing when the truth was something else. They chose to believe something other than what Jesus was saying but Jesus didn't deliberately lead them on to believe what they chose to believe. Abram deliberately had Sarai tell Pharoah and his people she was only Abram sister.

 

[Mink57]

You don’t have to lie to save their lives, though. If I was hiding Jews inside a secret chamber in my house, and Nazi’s showed up and asked me if I am hiding any Jews, I would tell them, “Do you see any Jews around here?” “I don’t see any Jews around here.” “Feel free to look around if you like, though.”

But Rahab didn't say, "Do you see two men here? I don't see two men here. Feel free to look around if you like, though." She said that (paraphrasing) yes, the two spies WERE here, but they LEFT. ... when, in fact, she knew that they did not leave.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

I disagree, the example you gave about how much money you make isn't even close to what Abram did. If you were deliberately trying to convince someone you made a certain amount of money when the amount you made was completely different then you would be doing what Abram did. He deliberately told his wife to convince the Pharoah and his people to believe that she was only Abram's sister. It was a premeditated lie or untruth.
What Jesus did he didn't deliberately lead the people to believe one thing when the truth was something else. They chose to believe something other than what Jesus was saying but Jesus didn't deliberately lead them on to believe what they chose to believe. Abram deliberately had Sarai tell Pharoah and his people she was only Abram sister.

PLEASE HIGHLIGHT THE WORDS IN THE BIBLE WHERE YOU THINK THE LIE CLEARLY TOOK PLACE.

Anyways, Sarai was the sister of Abram. So it was not a lie. I don’t see any difference between what Abram and Sarai did than what Jesus did. Also, I don’t see the word convince in Genesis 12 as you have stated. Abram only simply tells Sarai to say she is his sister (Which is true). Besides, even if she did convince them (Which is not in the text) if she was convincing them how she was Abram’s sister, it would be true. Nowhere does Genesis 12 say that she should refuse to say she is his wife. That is the kind of picture you are painting here that does not exist in Genesis 12.

Please highlight the words in Genesis 12 where you think she lied for Abram. Again, she was Abram’s sister and so this was not a lie to tell to the Egyptians this truth. It would only be a lie if she said to the Egyptians that she is not the wife of Abram. She did not say this and therefore she did not lie. If they wrongfully concluded that she was only a sister and not the wife that would be their false assumption just like the Jews falsely assumed that Jesus was speaking of the religious temple when in reality He was referring to His body (and yet He did not set them straight and clarify the issue with them). Jesus let the Jews believe falsely. This was not a lie for our Lord to do this anymore than it was for Abram and Sarai to do so. This is why your argument is silly here. Nothing in the text indicates she was to deny she was Abram’s wife by her speech. That is your false assumption. Jesus said temple and not body making the Jews believe He was referring to the most common understanding (Which is the religious temple). Yet, Jesus was telling the truth and not lying.

Side Note:

In reading Genesis 12 again: Keep in mind that Abram paints a hypothetical scenario with Sarai of the Egyptians thinking as to why Sarai should speak up to the Egyptians that she is Abram’s sister. It does not mean that she should only speak up that she is his sister only when she starts to over hear the Egyptians talk about how she is the wife of Abram. Abram wanted her to speak up with the Egyptians as soon as they could communicate with each other or when they possibly greet one another (So as to avoid any undue trouble before it started).

 

[Bible Highlighter]

But Rahab didn't say, "Do you see two men here? I don't see two men here. Feel free to look around if you like, though." She said that (paraphrasing) yes, the two spies WERE here, but they LEFT. ... when, in fact, she knew that they did not leave.

And I didn’t say that. I was referring to a scenario involving Jews and Nazi’s and not Rahab.
But Rahab’s words can be read in such a way that can be understood as her saying that she did not know where the spies were headed.

One translation says:

"I don’t know where they were going." (Joshua 2:5) (CSB).
​

In the New English Translation, Rahab says,

"I don’t know where they were heading." (NET).
​

This is even confirmed in the King James Bible with the word “whither” (Which can be defined as: Which place absolutely - according to the KJV Bible Dictionary).

This is true. She did not know where the spies were ultimately going in regards to their final destination. Meaning, she did not know where the Israelites hang out camp was at. This is where they were mostly likely were headed or going (So as to report back in regards to their spy mission).

So it is possible that she may not have lied. Granted, I also hold to the possibility that she did lie, too. But the problem I have is that many folks voted yes to saying that God commended Rahab for lying in the voting poll. That is what troubles me deeply here.

You can say Rahab lied. I don’t have a problem with that. It is one possibility I hold to. But to say that God commended her in lying?
That’s deeply wrong and disturbing on many levels.

 

[Mink57]

And I didn’t say that. I was referring to a scenario involving Jews and Nazi’s and not Rahab.
But Rahab’s words can be read in such a way that can be understood as her saying that she did not know where the spies were headed.

One translation says:

"I don’t know where they were going." (Joshua 2:5) (CSB).
​

In the New English Translation, Rahab says,

"I don’t know where they were heading." (NET).
​

This is even confirmed in the King James Bible with the word “whither” (Which can be defined as: Which place absolutely - according to the KJV Bible Dictionary).

This is true. She did not know where the spies were ultimately going in regards to their final destination. Meaning, she did not know where the Israelites hang out camp was at. This is where they were mostly likely were headed or going (So as to report back in regards to their spy mission).

So it is possible that she may not have lied. Granted, I also hold to the possibility that she did lie, too. But the problem I have is that many folks voted yes to saying that God commended Rahab for lying in the voting poll. That is what troubles me deeply here.

You can say Rahab lied. I don’t have a problem with that. It is one possibility I hold to. But say that God commended her in lying?
That’s deeply wrong and disturbing on many levels.

You seem to keep missing it. Yes, it may be true that she didn't know where the spies were going. But she DID know that the spies DID NOT LEAVE HER HOUSE. She basically said, yes, the spies WERE here, but they LEFT, and I have no clue where they're going.

You asked the question, "Did God commend Rahab for lying?" People are going to interpret your question in different ways, but it seems that most consider her lie to be 'acceptable' in God's eyes. It also seems that God forgave her for her lie, based on her faith. (this also gives one pause for thought, as Rahab was not an Israelite. Therefore, some may question as to whether or not Rahab was under the Covenant of the 10 Commandments. If not, her lie could easily have been "excused". )

I seriously doubt that God would tell her, "Hey, it's great that you had faith! But because you lied, you're going to spend eternity in the Lake of Fire." Above all the characteristics of the God *I* know and love, God is merciful. He is the Ultimate Just Judge.

Certainly, God would know if Rahab's "non-truth" was a matter of justice. In this case, I would say, yes.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

You seem to keep missing it.

As do you.

Yes, it may be true that she didn't know where the spies were going. But she DID know that the spies DID NOT LEAVE HER HOUSE. She basically said, yes, the spies WERE here, but they LEFT, and I have no clue where they're going.

Yes, I am aware that she knew where they were at because she hid them. But if you tried to read her words to the guards (who wanted the spies) as being true (read in a different kind of way), you will see what I am talking about. Most just assume she lied and that is the only possible scenario. I do believe in the possibility that she lied, but that is not the only one. The text does allow for a reading that she did not lie and she was using words that made it sound like what the guards wanted to hear, but yet she was speaking from ANOTHER perspective that they were not aware of (Just as Jesus said to the Jews, destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up again - But Jesus was referring to His body and not the religious temple).

You asked the question, "Did God commend Rahab for lying?" People are going to interpret your question in different ways, but it seems that most consider her lie to be 'acceptable' in God's eyes.

Because we are living in the last days, and times are getting darker.

It also seems that God forgave her for her lie, based on her faith. (this also gives one pause for thought, as Rahab was not an Israelite. Therefore, some may question as to whether or not Rahab was under the Covenant of the 10 Commandments. If not, her lie could easily have been "excused". )

I think there are basic moral laws that the Gentiles would be under. We see Nineveh seek forgiveness with the Lord and forsake their evil ways (See: Jonah 3:6-10). Yet, the Ninevites were not Israelites. I believe the kind of law the Ninevites would obey (in their repentance) would be the instinctual moral Law set out in Romans 2:14. For the Gentiles by nature kept the Law without having it according to Romans 2:14. For the Gentiles had to be under some kind of Law otherwise God could not have destroyed the whole world (other Gentiles) with a global flood back in the book of Genesis (involving the narrative of Noah). According to Peter: The flood is an example to all who live ungodly thereafter. I see this moral law for the Gentiles as murder, theft, lying, sexual immorality, witchcraft, contacting the dead, idolatry (bowing to statues), etcetera.

As for Rahab:

As I said in post #2, I held to three possibilities involving her words with the guards, but after meditating on it some more, I have abandoned the art of war theory as a possibility because it would implicate God in promoting or telling others to lie (Which is not possible because God cannot lie).

So I hold to two possibilities now.

#1. Rahab lied and God temporarily overlooked it (or held back judgment on it) by looking at the other greater things in her heart in that she feared God and wanted to be saved by Him. Paul says we reap what we sow. So if we see Jacob’s deception come back upon him as a lesson, I imagine the same thing happened with Rahab (if indeed she lied). This would have led her to naturally seek forgiveness with the Lord over this lie. Many godly men of faith did have their problems and I believe God was patient with them because of their overall greater faith. In the New Testament, we are under a greater responsibility and we are under less excuse because the Savior has come and we can receive the Holy Spirit into our lives to guide us now (Which is based upon whether or not we truly sought forgiveness with a godly sorrow with Jesus Christ over our past life of sin and in asking Him to save us).

#2. Rahab did not lie but she used clever word play with her words (Speaking from a point of view that is true from another perspective). But she spoke also in a way that the guards would easily misunderstand her words so that way she could protect the spies (because she feared God and did not want to end up destroyed like other pagan and sinful Gentile people that she heard about). She wanted protection, and she would do what it took to protect God’s people so that she could also hope in being protected in return. It worked. Because this is the true Lord God who made the heavens and the earth and who is good, and righteous and holy (and He does not want people to lie or do evil under any circumstance, and yet we know He is patient, and long suffering towards us).

I seriously doubt that God would tell her, "Hey, it's great that you had faith! But because you lied, you're going to spend eternity in the Lake of Fire." Above all the characteristics of the God *I* know and love, God is merciful. He is the Ultimate Just Judge.

If Rahab did lie (Which is one possibility I hold to), I believe God was willing to deal with her sin of lying at a later time in her life (After she became an official Israelite). But in the point of time when she was protecting the two spies: I believe GOD was willing to look at her greater overall heart of faith in her fearing GOD to protect the lives of the spies (loving your neighbor) so that her and her family could in return be protected by GOD. It worked because GOD is good and He is into fair justice and a consistent moral standard.

Certainly, God would know if Rahab's "non-truth" was a matter of justice. In this case, I would say, yes.

I believe God dealt with sins differently in the Old Testament. God was more patient in holding back judgment on God’s people when it came to certain sins if they had an overall greater faith that led them in righteousness in other areas of their life (See: Acts of the Apostles 17:30). I believe GOD would in time slowly talk to their heart when they matured. Like babies can only first start off on milk, it is the same with the man of God or woman of God in their walk with God by faith. Abraham messed up in having sex outside of his marriage in order to fulfill God’s promise, but God looked at Abraham’s overall heart of faith and he was willing to obviously deal with that sin in his life at a later time when he was ready to hear it. Peter denied the Lord three times, and yet God gave him another chance so as to confess of that sin and come back to serving Him (of which Peter did). So believers can make mistakes, but I believe God is patient and long suffering with us in guiding us to the right moment in our life (later on) whereby we will be ready to hear of a particular sin that may be standing between us and Him.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

@Nancy

I have recently abandoned the art of war theory involving Rahab. I don’t see God promoting the idea that it is okay for us to lie during war time. I say this because the Scriptures make it abundantly clear that God does not lie.

Anyways, thank you for the like on my one post.

May God bless you greatly.

 

[VictoryinJesus]

James 2:25
“Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?”

Joshua 2:4-6
4 “And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, There came men unto me, but I wist not whence they were:
5 And it came to pass about the time of shutting of the gate, when it was dark, that the men went out: whither the men went I wot not: pursue after them quickly; for ye shall overtake them.
6 But she had brought them up to the roof of the house, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof.”

personally, not that it matters, but to me
Hebrews 11:31 says a lot concerning whether Rahab was approved “By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.”

By Faith the harlot Rahab perishes not…
Romans 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

What of the scarlet thread she let down, showing the spies (whom she received) another way as not to be overtaken by those pursuing after them? It makes me think of “what you did for evil, God meant for good to save much people alive”

 

[Bible Highlighter]

personally, not that it matters, but to me
Hebrews 11:31 says a lot concerning whether Rahab was approved “By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.”

By Faith the harlot Rahab perishes not…
Romans 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

What of the scarlet thread she let down, showing the spies (whom she received) another way as not to be overtaken by those pursuing after them? It makes me think of “what you did for evil, God meant for good to save much people alive”

I am not in disagreement with Hebrews 11:31, and Romans 14:23.

In Hebrews 11:31, Rahab did not perish because she received the spies in peace in belief in God. I believe that.
Romans 14:23 says that whatever is not of faith is sin. Again, I believe this truth in the Bible.

Not sure how your bringing up of these above two verses relates to Rahab’s lie or how that might relate to those who voted “yes” in the poll saying that God commended Rahab for lying (Which is just wrong, dark, and evil).

You said that Rahab letting the spies down by a scarlet rope so as not to be overtaken by those pursuing them relates to the evil that Joseph’s brothers did whereby God intended it for a greater purpose in the end (Which is a part of Joseph’s narrative in the book of Genesis). This sounds like you are suggesting that it was evil of Rahab to let the spies down by a scarlet rope so that they could escape away from the guards pursuing them. I sure hope that is not what you are saying here. Perhaps you meant Rahab lying and not her action in helping the spies to escape out her window by a scarlet rope. For it was not evil for Rahab to help the spies escape outside her window by the use of a scarlet rope.

The scarlet thread she was to display for the Israelites to see when they came to attack (so she could be spared) was symbolic of the bloodline of Jesus Christ (of which Rahab was a part of). For it is by the blood of Jesus Christ by which we are saved. For Christ’s blood washes away mens sins.

 

[VictoryinJesus]

Not sure how your bringing up of these above two verses relates to Rahab’s lie or how that might relate to those who voted “yes” in the poll saying that God commended Rahab for lying (Which is just wrong, dark, and evil).

The reason I brought those two up in relation to Rahab was it was listed in that whole passage “by Faith” along with Moses being hid when they came to kill the first borns. Or Abraham taking Isaac to the top of the hill …where the verse regarding “by faith”, as Moses who by faith refused to be called the son of pharaohs daughter choosing instead to suffer affliction with the people of God, says Rahab believed God and received the spies in peace. The point of bringing up whatever is not done in faith is a sin. For me that would be why I would answer “yes” to your poll. Since it says Rahab believed God and so acted…with whatever is not done in faith is a sin.

You said that Rahab letting the spies down by a scarlet rope so as not to be overtaken by those pursuing them relates to the evil that Joseph’s brothers did whereby God intended it for a greater purpose in the end (Which is a part of Joseph’s narrative in the book of Genesis). This sounds like you are suggesting that it was evil of Rahab to let the spies down by a scarlet rope so that they could escape away from the guards pursuing them.

I agree with what you said about Christ as representative of the scarlet rope. Similar to the door post being marked. So no I wasn’t in any way saying what she did was evil, but possibly taking them out “another way”, the only “way” they would not be overtaken by those pursuing them, reminds me of the scarlet thread which tells of Christ, which none will escape except by Him.


I should not have brought Joseph into it. All I meant by bringing that “what you meant for evil, God meant for good” into it. Was in reference to the whole of Rahab’s passage. That how can it not be good if her passage shows Christ? Or to question “why did she lie” which I don’t know. Was “her lie evil” again I don’t know. I only brought Joseph into it because of his passage. Was it evil that he hid who he was when his brothers came in to beg for food? Although he wept? Was it evil when he had the cup placed in the youngest bag to see what the elders would do…would they do the same as what they did to Joseph by throwing him in the pit? Was it evil Joseph was put in prison? I only brought up Joseph because like Rahab …the over all passage shows God working in it.

 

[VictoryinJesus]

@Bible Highlighter regarding Rahabs’ lie. I have a question regarding when Hitler or his followers came to gather the Jews to kill them. Those that hid families— women, men, young children—under the floors when men came to search their homes asking for any Jews and those over their homes said the Jews were not there…knowing they were hid. Do you think —to be fair—they should have openly disclosed there were Jews there hiding?

 

[Bible Highlighter]

@Bible Highlighter regarding Rahabs’ lie. I have a question regarding when Hitler or his followers came to gather the Jews to kill them. Those that hid families— women, men, young children—under the floors when men came to search their homes asking for any Jews and those over their homes said the Jews were not there…knowing they were hid. Do you think —to be fair—they should have openly disclosed there were Jews there hiding?

We always have to ask… “What would Jesus do?”
If you imagine our Savior lying, then that would be a violation of Scripture because it says in His Word that God cannot lie.
So think. If God cannot lie, then why would it be okay for us to do so? John 8:44 says that the devil is the father of lies.

So okay. What if Nazi’s came to my house looking for Jews that I am hiding in a part of my home that is extremely difficult for them to find?
Is lying my only option? No. I could tell the Nazi’s, “Do you see any Jews around here?” “I don’t see any Jews around here.” “But feel free to look around if you like.”

I imagine our Lord Jesus Christ (Who is the Maker of the Heavens and the Earth) can come up with a better use of words than the example I gave. So no. Lying is not the only option, just as many Christians falsely say sinning is the only option in this life. For justifying sin is not any true victory in Jesus Christ. That is a part of what this thread is about. Folks are justifying sin, and saying God approved or commended of Rahab’s sin of lying. This simply is not possible because God is good and holy, and He cannot lie.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

The reason I brought those two up in relation to Rahab was it was listed in that whole passage “by Faith” along with Moses being hid when they came to kill the first borns. Or Abraham taking Isaac to the top of the hill …where the verse regarding “by faith”, as Moses who by faith refused to be called the son of pharaohs daughter choosing instead to suffer affliction with the people of God, says Rahab believed God and received the spies in peace. The point of bringing up whatever is not done in faith is a sin. For me that would be why I would answer “yes” to your poll. Since it says Rahab believed God and so acted…with whatever is not done in faith is a sin.

But nowhere does Hebrews 11:31, or Romans 14:23 say anything about Rahab’s lie being a part of the faith.
Nowhere does Hebrews chapter 11, or Romans chapter 14 say anything about Rahab’s lie being a part of the faith.
That is simply something you are inserting into the text that is not there.
Yes, I believe in the possibility that Rahab lied, but nowhere does Scripture say that her lying is a part of the faith.
Again, it’s not possible for God to commend Rahab for lying because Scripture says that God cannot lie (Titus 1:2) (Numbers 23:19) (Hebrews 6:18) so He would not want others to do so, either.
All liars will have their part in the Lake of Fire (Revelation 21:8).
The devil is the father of lies (John 8:44).
God nowhere tells us to lie for Him. Therefore lying is not a part of the faith, and lying is a sin.

I should not have brought Joseph into it. All I meant by bringing that “what you meant for evil, God meant for good” into it. Was in reference to the whole of Rahab’s passage. That how can it not be good if her passage shows Christ? Or to question “why did she lie” which I don’t know. Was “her lie evil” again I don’t know. I only brought Joseph into it because of his passage. Was it evil that he hid who he was when his brothers came in to beg for food? Although he wept? Was it evil when he had the cup placed in the youngest bag to see what the elders would do…would they do the same as what they did to Joseph by throwing him in the pit? Was it evil Joseph was put in prison? I only brought up Joseph because like Rahab …the over all passage shows God working in it.

I thought you were referring to Joseph’s brothers and not Joseph. For your words sounded like it was a reference to Genesis 50:20.

“But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good,
to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.”
(Genesis 50:20).

 

[VictoryinJesus]

So okay. What if Nazi’s came to my house looking for Jews that I am hiding in a part of my home that is extremely difficult for them to find?
Is lying my only option? No. I could tell the Nazi’s, “Do you see any Jews around here?” “I don’t see any Jews around here.” “But feel free to look around if you like.”

seems like fancy footwork around being able to say it is not a lie. It is still hiding them extremely well …and then claiming by not supply the truth but vagueness in “do you see any Jews around here? Look if you like.” is not still a lie. Because you know they are there.