Proverbs 28:9 kjv
He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.
Proverbs 28:9 nkjv
One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination.
Proverbs 28:9 niv
If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction, even their prayers are detestable.
Proverbs 28:9 esv
If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.
Proverbs 28:9 nlt
God detests the prayers
of a person who ignores the law.
Proverbs 28 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 66:18 | If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. | God does not hear those who cling to sin. |
| Isa 1:15 | When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you... | God rejects hypocritical worship/prayer. |
| Isa 59:2 | But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins... | Sin creates a barrier between God and man. |
| Jer 11:11 | Therefore thus says the Lord, Behold, I am bringing disaster upon them... | God will not listen to prayers of disobedient. |
| Zec 7:13 | “As I called, and they would not hear; so they called, and I would not hear...” | Reciprocity: disobedience leads to unanswered prayer. |
| John 9:31 | We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, God listens to him. | God hears those who worship and obey Him. |
| 1 John 3:22 | and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do what is pleasing in His sight. | Obedience precedes answered prayer. |
| Prov 15:8 | The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord... | Wicked offerings are detestable. |
| Prov 21:27 | The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination; how much more when he brings it with evil intent! | Detestable acts when intent is wicked. |
| Hos 5:6 | With their flocks and herds they shall go to seek the Lord, but they will not find Him... | Seeking God without a right heart is futile. |
| Mic 3:4 | Then they will cry to the Lord, but He will not answer them; He will hide His face from them... | God's silence to the unrepentant. |
| Amos 5:21-23 | “I hate, I reject your festivals, Nor do I delight in your solemn assemblies... | God rejects ritualistic worship lacking justice. |
| 2 Sam 22:42 | They looked, but there was no one to save; Even to the Lord, but He did not answer them. | God's refusal to answer rebellious cries. |
| Psa 18:41 | They cried for help, but there was none to save them; Even to the Lord, but He did not answer them. | Reinforces God's silence to the unrepentant. |
| Matt 7:21 | “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven... | Profession without obedience is insufficient. |
| James 4:3 | You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives... | Improper motives hinder prayer. |
| Psa 50:16-17 | But to the wicked God says: “What right do you have to recount My statutes... | God scolds the wicked for professing His law. |
| Prov 1:28 | Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me. | God's judicial withdrawal from mockers. |
| Psa 34:15-16 | The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. | God's favor for the righteous, opposition for the wicked. |
| Deut 28:15 | But it shall come about, if you do not obey the Lord your God, to observe all His commandments... | Curses and lack of blessings for disobedience. |
| Luke 11:28 | But He said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” | Blessing is on those who hear and obey. |
| Rom 2:13 | For it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified. | Emphasizes doing, not just hearing, the Law. |
Proverbs 28 verses
Proverbs 28 9 Meaning
When a person deliberately turns away from obeying God's divine instruction, even their attempts to pray to God are not accepted but are considered detestable to Him. This proverb underscores that genuine communication with God requires a heart receptive to and obedient to His revealed will, emphasizing that ritualistic acts without righteousness are valueless and even offensive in God's sight.
Proverbs 28 9 Context
Proverbs chapter 28 frequently contrasts the righteous and the wicked, outlining the outcomes of their behaviors in various societal and personal spheres. This verse is situated among other proverbs that emphasize the importance of justice, integrity, and fearing God, highlighting the stark difference between those who align with God’s will and those who rebel. The chapter particularly focuses on leaders and their responsibility, but this verse brings the principle of obedience directly to the individual’s spiritual walk. Historically, the "law" (Torah) was central to Israelite life, encompassing divine instruction for all aspects of conduct, not just ritual. For the original audience, the idea of superficial adherence or attempting to appease God without genuine heart change would have been a direct challenge to any formalistic religious practices, asserting God’s demand for true obedience over empty performance.
Proverbs 28 9 Word analysis
- Whoever (מֵסִיר, mēsîr): This is a participle, indicating an ongoing action or characteristic. It refers to "one who removes" or "one who turns aside." It highlights a person whose habit or chosen disposition is one of active disregard.
- turns away (אָזְנוֹ, ’oznô): This phrase indicates a deliberate act of withdrawing one's attention or willingness to hear. It implies willful rejection, not merely a passive oversight.
- his ear (אָזְנוֹ, ’oznô): While literally referring to the physical organ, "ear" here metaphorically represents the faculty of attention, understanding, and obedience. To turn one's ear away from something is to refuse to listen and, consequently, to obey.
- from hearing (לִשְׁמוֹעַ, lishmōaʿ): The infinitive form of shamaʿ, a foundational Hebrew verb. Shamaʿ means more than just "to perceive sound"; it includes the sense of listening attentively, understanding, and obeying. Therefore, "from hearing" signifies a rejection of active receptivity and dutiful response to instruction.
- the law (תּוֹרָה, tōrâ): Often translated as "law," Torah is a rich term meaning divine instruction, teaching, or guidance. It refers primarily to God's revealed will, including commands, statutes, and principles for living, encompassing not just ceremonial but also moral and social precepts.
- even (גַּם, gam): An emphatic particle that strengthens the subsequent statement, indicating that the consequence is profound and applies even to something seemingly religious or pious like prayer.
- his prayer (תְפִלָּתוֹ, təpillātô): The act of communicating with God through petition, intercession, or worship. It is a fundamental religious activity. The possessive suffix indicates it is his personal prayer.
- is an abomination (תּוֹעֵבָה, tōʿēḇâ): A very strong word in Hebrew, used to describe something utterly detestable, loathsome, or repugnant to God. It is frequently used for idolatry (Deut 7:25), sexual immorality (Lev 18:22), and dishonest practices (Prov 11:1). Its use here signifies God's deep offense at the hypocrisy of someone who claims to address Him while actively defying His will.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "Whoever turns away his ear from hearing the law": This phrase describes an intentional and consistent rebellion against God's instruction. It is not an accidental slip or ignorance, but a deliberate posture of closing oneself off from divine truth and guidance, thereby rejecting God's authority over one's life.
- "even his prayer is an abomination": This highlights the severe consequence of such a posture. It implies that superficial religiosity, performed without a heart submitted to God's will, is not only ineffective but actually offends God. It suggests that such a prayer might be seen as an attempt to manipulate God or feign devotion, which God utterly despises.
Proverbs 28 9 Bonus section
The concept of "abomination" (to'evah) in the Bible often signals an act that fundamentally goes against God's holy character and established order. When applied to prayer, as it is here, it emphasizes the profound offense that insincere worship or religious acts cause to God. It highlights that God looks at the heart and the consistent pattern of one's life, not merely outward religious performance. This proverb aligns with prophetic warnings throughout the Old Testament (e.g., Isa 1:10-17; Amos 5:21-24) where God expresses disgust with sacrifices and feasts performed by those who oppress the poor or live wickedly. It serves as a reminder that the New Covenant's emphasis on faith and grace does not nullify the need for genuine repentance and obedience, as exemplified by the teaching that faith without works is dead (Jas 2:14-26).
Proverbs 28 9 Commentary
Proverbs 28:9 presents a stark theological truth: God demands sincere obedience as a prerequisite for meaningful fellowship and effective prayer. It teaches that separating the act of prayer from a commitment to living by God's commands renders the prayer not just unheard, but actively detestable. This is because genuine prayer flows from a heart aligned with God, seeking His will, not from a desire to gain favor while maintaining a lifestyle contrary to His revealed nature. God is not interested in mere ritual; He desires righteousness and truth in the inward being. An unrepentant heart, closed to God’s instruction, effectively cuts off true communion, rendering outward acts of devotion offensive to the Holy One.
- Example: A person who regularly cheats others in business but attends religious services and prays loudly, expecting divine blessing. Their prayer is considered detestable because their life rejects God's law of honesty and justice.
- Example: One who is unforgiving towards others but prays for their own forgiveness and peace. Such prayer contradicts the very instruction of God concerning mercy.