Proverbs 26:28 kjv

A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.

Proverbs 26:28 nkjv

A lying tongue hates those who are crushed by it, And a flattering mouth works ruin.

Proverbs 26:28 niv

A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.

Proverbs 26:28 esv

A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin.

Proverbs 26:28 nlt

A lying tongue hates its victims,
and flattering words cause ruin.

Proverbs 26 verses

Proverbs 26 28 Meaning

Proverbs 26:28 conveys a profound truth about the deceptive nature of wicked speech, asserting that a tongue engaged in lies fundamentally harbors malice towards those it victimizes through its falsehoods. Similarly, a mouth that offers manipulative flattery is not benign but actively works towards the downfall or ruin of its unsuspecting recipients. The verse unveils the destructive core of both overt deceit (lying) and subtle insincerity (flattery), demonstrating that both stem from a heart bent on harm.

Proverbs 26 28 Context

Proverbs 26 falls within a section often attributed to "the men of Hezekiah," highlighting proverbs concerning fools, sluggards, and various forms of harmful behavior. Verses 20-28 specifically address the dangers of tale-bearing, strife, and malicious intent masked by deceit. Verse 28 serves as a summary, exposing the true nature behind destructive communication that precedes it in the chapter, such as deceitful boasting (v. 24) or dissimulation of hatred (v. 26). It implies that the one who spreads falsehoods or flatters maliciously is not just careless but harbors a deeper malevolence, leading to the crushing and ruin of others. The cultural context views words not merely as sounds, but as powerful instruments with the capacity to build up or tear down, affecting one's honor, reputation, and even life in a communal society.

Proverbs 26 28 Word analysis

• A lying tongue (לְשׁוֹן שֶׁקֶר - lĕshon shāqeṛ): Literally "tongue of falsehood."

  • lĕshon (לָשׁוֹן): Tongue, language. Implies words as the output of an inner disposition.
  • shāqeṛ (שֶׁקֶר): Lie, deception, falsehood. Often used for untruth, especially as bearing false witness or treacherous dealings.
  • Significance: It emphasizes speech as an active instrument of deceit, suggesting not just an occasional lie, but a pattern or character trait. The tongue is seen as a moral agent, capable of evil.

• hates (שָׂנֵא - śānēʼ): To hate, be hostile towards, loathe.

  • Significance: This strong verb reveals the internal disposition behind the lies. The damage caused by a lying tongue is not incidental but stems from an active animosity or ill will towards the victim, dispelling any notion that lies are harmless or well-intentioned. It's not just a distortion of truth but a projection of contempt.

• those it crushes (דִּכָּאוּ - dikkāʼû): Hiphil participle, plural of daka (דָּכָא). To be crushed, broken, humbled. In Hiphil, "cause to be crushed."

  • Significance: This term vividly portrays the severe damage inflicted by lies. The victims are not just misinformed, but morally, socially, or reputationally crushed or broken by the weight of the falsehoods against them. The harm is profound and often irreparable.

• and a flattering mouth (פֶה חָלָקוֹת - peh ḥălāqôt): Literally "mouth of smooth things."

  • peh (פֶּה): Mouth, opening. The source of speech.
  • ḥălāqôt (חֲלָקוֹת): Plural of ḥālāk, meaning smooth, slick, deceptive. Refers to smooth words, flattery, or cunning speech.
  • Significance: Flattery is not presented as innocent praise, but as "smooth" speech that hides sinister intent. It's often designed to gain favor, manipulate, or disarm a person for a nefarious purpose. This contrasts sharply with genuine, heartfelt commendation.

• works ruin (פּוֹעֵל מִדְחֶה - pô‘ēl miḏḥe):

  • pô‘ēl (פּוֹעֵל): A worker, one who makes or causes. Active participle of pa'al (פָּעַל), to do, to work.
  • miḏḥe (מִדְחֶה): Overthrow, downfall, expulsion, ruin.
  • Significance: This phrase emphasizes that flattery is not passive but an active, deliberate force. It "works" toward a destructive outcome, leading its target to stumbling, error, or complete downfall. The ruin can be moral, social, financial, or spiritual.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "A lying tongue hates those it crushes": This clause connects the act of lying directly to a motive of hatred and portrays the devastating effect on the victim. It unmasks the true, malevolent intent behind slander and falsehoods.
  • "and a flattering mouth works ruin": This parallel clause exposes the insidious danger of flattery, revealing that what appears pleasant is often a manipulative tool leading to harm. It underscores the deceptive nature of smooth, insincere speech and its detrimental outcome.
  • Juxtaposition: The two clauses parallel distinct yet related forms of verbal sin. While "lying tongue" might involve direct false witness or slander, "flattering mouth" speaks to more subtle, deceptive manipulation. Both, however, share the underlying intent to cause harm or destruction, highlighting that deceit, whether crude or refined, is destructive.

Proverbs 26 28 Bonus section

The Hebrew parallelism used in this proverb (synthetic or emblematic) amplifies its message, presenting two different manifestations of destructive speech that share a common negative outcome, but stem from different approaches. The first part, the "lying tongue," represents a direct, often aggressive form of harm. The second part, the "flattering mouth," represents a subtle, often disarming form of harm. Both reveal the spiritual principle that internal malice finds outward expression, causing ruin to others. This verse contrasts starkly with biblical teachings on love, truth, and edifying speech (Eph 4:15, 29). The proverbs continually return to the idea that our words reveal our hearts and have profound consequences, impacting our relationships, our reputation, and our spiritual standing before God. The emphasis here is not merely on the 'words' but the character that produces them and the destructive force they possess.

Proverbs 26 28 Commentary

Proverbs 26:28 incisively uncovers the malevolent spirit behind both overt falsehood and insidious flattery. It posits that a person who wields a "lying tongue" to discredit or harm others is not simply misguided or mistaken but is driven by an underlying "hatred" for those they aim to "crush." The harm inflicted by such lies is not accidental; it is a deliberate act of hostility. Simultaneously, the proverb warns against the seemingly innocuous "flattering mouth," revealing it too as an agent of destruction. While flattery may appear harmless, even beneficial, its true nature is manipulative, actively "working ruin" upon its recipients. This ruin can manifest in leading others to error, exploiting their weaknesses, or eroding their judgment, ultimately causing their downfall. The verse stands as a powerful admonition to discern the true intentions behind words, emphasizing that deceptive speech, whether aggressive or suave, invariably stems from a heart bent on malevolence and ultimately leads to grievous harm. It urges believers to uphold truth and integrity in all communication, reflecting the character of a God who abhors falsehood.