Proverbs 6:16 kjv

These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:

Proverbs 6:16 nkjv

These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:

Proverbs 6:16 niv

There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him:

Proverbs 6:16 esv

There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him:

Proverbs 6:16 nlt

There are six things the LORD hates ?
no, seven things he detests:

Proverbs 6 verses

Proverbs 6 16 Meaning

Proverbs 6:16 declares that the Eternal God, YHWH, has a profound and active revulsion towards certain attitudes and actions. This verse introduces a specific list of behaviors and character traits that are not merely disliked but are fundamentally contrary to His holy nature and thus are an utter detestation to Him. The numbering device "six things, indeed seven" highlights the complete and absolute nature of His abhorrence for these transgressions.

Proverbs 6 16 Context

Proverbs chapter 6 forms part of a series of direct exhortations from a father figure (personified wisdom) to his "son," offering practical counsel for righteous living. Preceding this verse, the chapter warns against becoming surety for another (6:1-5) and against the vice of laziness (6:6-11) and the cunning of the worthless person (6:12-15). Verse 16 serves as an emphatic introduction to a specific list of sins that God profoundly despises (6:17-19), sins which encapsulate active wickedness and harm towards others and the community. The rhetorical device of "six, indeed seven" (known as x, x+1 structure) is common in Hebrew literature, indicating a comprehensive and climactic listing, underscoring the completeness and severity of God's rejection of these particular moral transgressions. It signifies that the list, though finite, captures the essence of what is most detestable to the Divine.

Proverbs 6 16 Word analysis

• There are six things: The Hebrew word for 'six' is shēsh (שֵׁשׁ). This number initiates a literary numerical scheme (X, X+1) popular in ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature, including parts of the Bible (e.g., Job 5:19, Amos 1:3-15). It indicates a sequence that leads to an ultimate or comprehensive statement. It signals that a specific count of items follows.

• things: While no explicit Hebrew word for 'things' is present, the context implies a list of distinct moral and ethical abominations that are about to be enumerated.

• that the Lord: The Hebrew here is YHWH (יְהוָה), the sacred, covenantal name of God. This indicates that the abhorrence expressed is not a mere human preference or cultural distaste, but a divine and absolute judgment from the sovereign, holy God of Israel. It emphasizes the ultimate moral authority behind the judgment.

• hates: The Hebrew word is sā·nêʾ (שָׂנֵא), which means "to hate," "to despise," or "to abhor." In the biblical context when attributed to God, this hatred is not an emotional outburst driven by malice as in humans, but rather a settled, unchangeable, and holy aversion to all that is contrary to His perfect character, righteousness, and justice. It signifies active divine opposition to evil.

• seven: The Hebrew word is she·ḇa‘ (שֶׁבַע). The numerical progression from "six" to "seven" in the X, X+1 pattern emphasizes completion, totality, or perfection. In this context, it reinforces the comprehensiveness and absolute nature of the Lord's detestation. It can imply a crescendo of seriousness or simply underscore that the complete set of items that follow are truly repugnant.

• that are an abomination: The Hebrew word is tô·‘ê·ḇāh (תּוֹעֵבָה). This term is very strong, signifying something that is repugnant, detestable, or utterly loathsome, especially in a religious or moral sense. It frequently appears in the context of pagan practices, idolatry, or severe moral offenses (like sexual perversion or dishonest weights) that defile and pollute God's covenant relationship and holy land. For God to call something an "abomination" means it fundamentally offends His nature and threatens the purity of His relationship with humanity.

• to him: Referring directly to YHWH, reaffirming that these detestable things are specifically and personally offensive to God's being and character.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "six things... seven that are an abomination to him": This phrasing functions as a literary "numerical saying" or a "graded numerical list." It builds expectation for a forthcoming list of particularly egregious offenses. The "seven" implies a complete or exhaustive category of God's most intense displeasure, serving as a climactic intensification or comprehensive summary of human depravity that fundamentally opposes divine holiness.

Proverbs 6 16 Bonus section

The profound significance of Proverbs 6:16 lies not just in its introduction to the seven specific detestable sins but in what it reveals about the nature of God Himself. For God to "hate" and find "abominable" certain behaviors emphasizes that His holiness is not passive; it actively rejects evil. This is crucial for understanding divine justice – God's "hatred" is a holy and necessary reaction against sin because it violates His inherent righteousness. This theological insight provides a strong motivation for ethical living: avoiding these specific sins is not merely about following rules but about aligning oneself with the very character of YHWH. The sins listed in 6:17-19 (proud eyes, lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers) show a progression from inner attitude (proud eyes, wicked plans) to outward actions (lying tongue, violent hands) and relational disruption (sowing discord). This illustrates that sin is not just about isolated acts but encompasses disposition, intent, word, and deed, all of which are encompassed in God's righteous judgment introduced by this verse.

Proverbs 6 16 Commentary

Proverbs 6:16 is a foundational statement introducing a definitive list of human evils that God fundamentally opposes. It does not speak of God disliking certain things, but hating and finding them an abomination. This reveals God's unyielding holy nature, where His hatred of sin is a necessary extension of His infinite love for righteousness and truth. The progression from "six" to "seven" acts as a rhetorical intensifier, highlighting the comprehensiveness of the divine abhorrence for the subsequent list, which includes arrogance, deceit, violence, wickedness, haste to do evil, false witness, and sowing discord. These are not arbitrary dislikes; they are active opposition to God's moral order, peace, and truth in relationships. Thus, the verse calls humanity to understand that there are objective moral standards rooted in God's character, deviation from which results in His profound disapproval.

• Example 1: A heart filled with pride, regardless of outward religious acts, is despised by God.
• Example 2: Speaking words that knowingly undermine truth, whether in court or daily gossip, is detestable to God.
• Example 3: Actions, however subtle, that encourage division among people, especially believers, run contrary to God's nature.