Proverbs 26:25 kjv
When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
Proverbs 26:25 nkjv
When he speaks kindly, do not believe him, For there are seven abominations in his heart;
Proverbs 26:25 niv
Though their speech is charming, do not believe them, for seven abominations fill their hearts.
Proverbs 26:25 esv
when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart;
Proverbs 26:25 nlt
They pretend to be kind, but don't believe them.
Their hearts are full of many evils.
Proverbs 26 25 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 12:2 | They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips... | Deceitful speech and flattery. |
| Psa 28:3 | Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts. | Dishonest heart despite peaceful words. |
| Psa 55:21 | The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords. | Treacherous speech masking violent intent. |
| Prov 14:15 | The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going. | Warning against naive belief and advocating prudence. |
| Jer 9:8 | Their tongue is as an arrow shot out; it speaketh deceit: one speaketh peaceably to his neighbour with his mouth, but in heart he layeth his wait. | Deceitful words and malicious heart. |
| Jer 17:9 | The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? | The inherent wickedness and deception of the human heart. |
| Matt 7:15 | Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. | Recognizing evil intent despite deceptive appearance. |
| Matt 10:16 | ...be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. | Call for wisdom and discernment in a treacherous world. |
| Matt 12:34 | O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. | Speech flows from the heart's true condition. |
| Matt 15:18-19 | But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart... For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries... | Emphasizing the heart as the source of evil. |
| Mk 7:21-23 | For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries... all these evil things come from within... | Reinforces the heart as the spring of all defilement. |
| Lk 6:45 | A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good... for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. | The connection between heart and speech. |
| Rom 16:18 | For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. | Deceptive and flattering speech for selfish gain. |
| 2 Cor 11:13-15 | For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ... and so are his ministers... | Ministers of Satan appearing as ministers of righteousness. |
| Eph 5:6 | Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God... | Warning against deception through empty words. |
| 1 Thess 5:21 | Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. | Call for testing and discerning everything. |
| Titus 1:16 | They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable... | People professing piety but living wickedly. |
| Jas 1:22 | But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. | Warning against self-deception by mere words without action. |
| 1 John 4:1 | Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. | The imperative to test spirits for discernment. |
| Jude 1:16 | These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage. | Flattering words spoken for personal gain. |
| Rev 21:27 | And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie... | Exclusion of all abominations from God's presence. |
Proverbs 26 verses
Proverbs 26 25 Meaning
This proverb warns against the danger of smooth, flattering speech from individuals whose hearts harbor deep-seated wickedness. Despite their pleasing words, one should not trust them, as their true intentions are entirely corrupted, indicated by the "seven abominations" dwelling within their core being. It is a call for discernment, urging listeners to look beyond superficial appearances and recognize the deceitful nature originating from a perverse heart.
Proverbs 26 25 Context
Proverbs chapter 26 is largely dedicated to describing and condemning the fool and the sluggard, often highlighting their destructive behaviors, particularly concerning speech and self-deception. This specific verse, 26:25, fits within a larger section (verses 23-28) that focuses on various forms of deceit, malice, and pretense, often related to hypocrisy and hidden hatred. It serves as a sharp warning to be wary of individuals whose words are smooth but whose hearts are corrupt. The chapter underscores the contrast between outward appearance and inner reality, urging the reader to exercise discernment and wisdom to avoid being entrapped by insincere individuals who disguise their malice with flattering speech. Historically, in the ancient Near East, personal honor and public reputation were highly valued, yet there was also a shrewd awareness that words could be used to conceal true intentions, making the discernment of character paramount for personal safety and wisdom.
Proverbs 26 25 Word analysis
- Though he speak fair:
- Though he speak: Implies an action of vocalization, a delivery of words. It points to an active attempt to communicate something.
- Fair: From the Hebrew chen (חֵן), meaning grace, favor, charm, graciousness, elegance. Here, it refers to pleasant, flattering, or alluring speech, words designed to win approval, trust, or persuade, often deceptively. It suggests a smooth, appealing outward presentation of words.
- believe him not:
- Believe him: To put one's trust or faith in the person or their words.
- Not: A strong negative imperative. This is an absolute prohibition, an urgent warning. It highlights the absolute danger of trusting someone whose words are contradicted by their true nature.
- for there are seven abominations:
- For: Introduces the reason or justification for the command "believe him not." It explains the underlying condition that makes belief unwise.
- Seven: In Hebrew numerical symbolism, seven often represents completeness, fullness, or perfection. Here, it signifies a complete or overwhelming number of evil intentions. It is not necessarily a literal count but emphasizes the total corruption, the utter lack of integrity, or the diverse range of evils lurking within. This is a common biblical literary device to denote intensity (e.g., the seven things the Lord hates in Prov 6:16-19).
- Abominations: From the Hebrew to'evah (תּוֹעֵבָה), meaning something detestable, abhorrent, an outrage, especially to God or righteous principles. This term is used for idolatry, morally repugnant acts (like human sacrifice or sexual perversion), and dishonesty. In this context, it refers to inner wicked schemes, evil desires, or deeply offensive moral corruptions. It suggests actions or attitudes utterly repugnant to divine and human decency.
- in his heart:
- Heart: From the Hebrew lev or levav (לֵב), representing the innermost being, the core of a person. It is the seat of intellect, will, emotions, conscience, moral character, and intentions. This emphasizes that the deceit is not merely a superficial action but springs from the very wellspring of the person's identity and desires. The contrast between external speech and internal reality is central.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "Though he speak fair, believe him not": This phrase directly juxtaposes external charm with an urgent command to reject trust. It's a fundamental principle of discernment, highlighting that outward pleasantness can be a deliberate deception. The words are a calculated façade, not a reflection of truth.
- "for there are seven abominations in his heart": This clause provides the compelling reason for distrust. It reveals the deeply rooted and comprehensive wickedness that truly defines the individual. The "seven abominations" signify total moral depravity or a multitude of grave evils, suggesting that the very essence of their being is corrupt and diametrically opposed to genuine goodness. The "heart" here emphasizes the source of deceit—it's not accidental but intrinsic to their nature.
Proverbs 26 25 Bonus section
The specific count of "seven" abominations may not point to seven distinct evil plans, but rather denotes the completeness and intensity of wickedness dwelling within such a person. It highlights that the individual's core moral compass is thoroughly corrupted, and their flattering speech is merely a tool of their comprehensive malevolence. This is a characteristic of wisdom literature, employing numerical patterns to emphasize a concept rather than for literal enumeration. This proverb serves as a powerful reminder for spiritual discernment in Christian life, emphasizing that while love and kindness are essential, an active awareness of hidden sin and malice in others is crucial for protection against deception, especially from those who seek to exploit or harm under the guise of benevolence.
Proverbs 26 25 Commentary
Proverbs 26:25 offers a vital lesson in human discernment, advising against credulity when faced with flattery or smooth words that conceal malicious intent. The verse directly contrasts a pleasing outward presentation ("speak fair") with an utterly corrupted inner being ("seven abominations in his heart"). The imperative "believe him not" is a call to vigilance, cautioning that one must not be swayed by mere appearances or manipulative charm. The "seven abominations" represent the complete, inherent, and deep-seated depravity of such an individual's motives. This isn't about isolated flaws but a pervasive state of internal evil that makes their words untrustworthy, regardless of how appealing they sound. True character, as this proverb teaches, resides not in what is spoken, but in the unexposed intentions of the heart, from which all true motives and actions eventually spring.