Proverbs 8:13 kjv

The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

Proverbs 8:13 nkjv

The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate.

Proverbs 8:13 niv

To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.

Proverbs 8:13 esv

The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.

Proverbs 8:13 nlt

All who fear the LORD will hate evil.
Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance,
corruption and perverse speech.

Proverbs 8 verses

Proverbs 8 13 Meaning

Proverbs 8:13 declares that the essence of "the fear of the LORD" is an active hatred and detestation of evil. This core principle is then exemplified by Wisdom personified, who specifically identifies and abhors pride, arrogance, a wicked lifestyle, and perverse or deceitful speech. It establishes that genuine reverence for God inherently includes a moral aversion to all that opposes His righteous character.

Proverbs 8 13 Context

Proverbs chapter 8 presents Lady Wisdom as a central figure, making a powerful public appeal to all humanity. Unlike the sinister appeals of the "forbidden woman" in earlier chapters, Wisdom calls out openly, in plain sight, offering life, understanding, and true prosperity. She presents herself as eternally pre-existent with God, actively involved in creation, and as the source of righteous governance for rulers. This verse, 8:13, appears within her expansive discourse, defining a fundamental aspect of the "fear of the LORD" which she previously established as the very beginning of knowledge and wisdom (Pro 1:7, 9:10). By articulating what she (and by extension, God) hates, Wisdom establishes moral boundaries and illuminates the character required of those who would embrace her call. It underscores that true wisdom is not merely intellectual knowledge but also includes a profound moral discernment and ethical posture, actively rejecting specific forms of evil.

Proverbs 8 13 Word analysis

• The fear of the LORD: (Hebrew: yir'at YHVH) Not mere terror, but profound reverence, awe, and submission to God's authority. This includes respect for His power, character, and commandments, leading to obedience and ethical conduct. It signifies a disposition of worship and devotion.
• is to hate: (Hebrew: seno't) Denotes an active, strong aversion or detestation. It is a resolute turning away from evil, not merely passive disapproval but a passionate moral revulsion. This hatred is a defining characteristic of true reverence for God.
• evil: (Hebrew: ra') Refers to general moral wickedness, badness, harm, or depravity. It encompasses anything that opposes God's righteous nature and His moral law.
• pride: (Hebrew: ga'ah) Refers to haughtiness, conceit, self-exaltation. It describes an elevated sense of one's own importance, often accompanied by looking down on others or a resistance to acknowledging God's sovereignty. It is one of the "seven abominations" to God (Pro 6:16-17).
• arrogancy: (Hebrew: ga'on) Closely associated with pride. While ga'ah often speaks of a lifted spirit, ga'on can denote outward displays of haughtiness, pomposity, or self-important demeanor. It signifies an overbearing self-exaltation.
• the evil way: (Hebrew: derekh ra') Signifies a lifestyle, course of action, or habitual conduct characterized by wickedness. It speaks to walking consistently in opposition to God's ways, engaging in morally corrupt practices.
• the froward mouth: (Hebrew: pi taha'pukhoth) Refers to speech that is perverse, twisted, deceitful, corrupt, or slanderous. It means words that mislead, betray, or aim to subvert truth and righteousness. A "froward mouth" is characteristic of a dishonest or rebellious heart.
• do I hate: This phrase concludes the enumeration, solidifying Wisdom's personal and strong detestation of these specific forms of evil. It carries divine authority, as Wisdom is intimately connected with God.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: This establishes a foundational theological truth: true reverence for God is inseparable from an active moral stand against wickedness. It is the practical outflow of one's devotion. It moves "fear" beyond mere emotion to ethical action.
• pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth: This provides a focused categorization of the evil that is to be hated. This list covers core aspects of human sinfulness: the sinful attitude of the heart (pride, arrogancy), sinful actions/lifestyle (evil way), and sinful speech (froward mouth). It highlights how pervasive and multi-faceted sin is and that God's abhorrence covers all these domains of human existence.
• do I hate: This is a direct declaration from Wisdom herself, echoing God's own character and moral standards. It adds the weight of divine endorsement to the principle that hating these specific evils is not merely human opinion but a divine imperative and attribute. It indicates a unified abhorrence of these vices by both divine Wisdom and the Almighty.

Proverbs 8 13 Bonus section

The positioning of this verse in Proverbs 8, where Wisdom speaks with cosmic authority and even prior to creation, imbues it with eternal significance. The attributes of evil listed here—pride, arrogance, wicked deeds, and perverse speech—are not merely cultural faux pas but are presented as fundamental affronts to divine order and character. This makes them antithetical to life, as Wisdom is presented as the giver of life. Furthermore, by linking these directly to the "fear of the LORD," Wisdom emphasizes that a mere intellectual acknowledgment of God is insufficient; it requires a radical moral reorientation of the entire being: mind, heart, and conduct. It forms a crucial part of the "discerning between good and evil" which is a mark of mature wisdom.

Proverbs 8 13 Commentary

Proverbs 8:13 provides a profound, practical definition of "the fear of the LORD," moving beyond mere awe to active moral commitment. It reveals that true reverence for God is not passive emotion but an inner posture that manifests as a fervent hatred for evil. This hatred is not just a vague sentiment but specifically targets forms of wickedness that stem from a rebellious or ungodly heart.

The enumeration of "pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth" is particularly insightful. Pride and arrogancy deal with the attitude of the heart, representing self-exaltation that inevitably demeans God and others. "The evil way" speaks to one's conduct and chosen lifestyle, signifying a deliberate walk away from God's righteousness. "The froward mouth" points to the words we speak, recognizing that dishonest, manipulative, or corrupt speech is a direct outflow of an ungodly heart and can inflict immense harm.

Wisdom's declaration, "do I hate," personalizes and divinizes this truth, implying that these are the very things God Himself detests. Therefore, for humanity, hating these specific evils becomes a key indicator of genuine communion with God and submission to His will. It shapes a life lived in accordance with divine wisdom, demonstrating integrity in attitude, action, and speech.

For practical application, this verse calls believers to:

• Self-reflection: Honestly examine areas of pride, arrogant attitudes, habits that constitute an "evil way," and patterns of corrupt or dishonest speech.
• Active opposition: Cultivate an active aversion and opposition to these forms of evil, both personally and within one's sphere of influence.
• Embrace humility and truth: Prioritize humility, righteousness, and truthfulness, aligning one's character with God's holy nature.