Proverbs 26:25
Proverbs 26:25 in Multiple Translations
When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart.
When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
When he speaketh fair, believe him not; For there are seven abominations in his heart:
When he says fair words, have no belief in him; for in his heart are seven evils:
When people talk nicely to you, don't believe them—their minds are full of hate for you.
Though he speake fauourably, beleeue him not: for there are seuen abominations in his heart.
When his voice is gracious trust not in him, For seven abominations [are] in his heart.
When his speech is charming, don’t believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart.
When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
When he shall speak low, trust him not: because there are seven mischiefs in his heart.
When they say nice things, do not believe them, because in their inner beings are many things that Yahweh hates.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 26:25
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Proverbs 26:25 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
כִּֽי
יְחַנֵּ֣ן
ק֭וֹל/וֹ
אַל
תַּֽאֲמֶן
בּ֑/וֹ
כִּ֤י
שֶׁ֖בַע
תּוֹעֵב֣וֹת
בְּ/לִבּֽ/וֹ
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
יְחַנֵּ֣ן
chânan
H2603
be gracious
V-Piel-Imperf-3ms
ק֭וֹל/וֹ
qôwl
H6963
voice
N-ms | Suff
אַל
ʼal
H408
not
Part
תַּֽאֲמֶן
ʼâman
H539
be faithful
V-Hiphil-Juss-2ms
בּ֑/וֹ
Prep | Suff
כִּ֤י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
שֶׁ֖בַע
shebaʻ
H7651
seven
Adj
תּוֹעֵב֣וֹת
tôwʻêbah
H8441
abomination
N-fp
בְּ/לִבּֽ/וֹ
lêb
H3820
heart
Prep | N-ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 26:25
כִּֽי
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
יְחַנֵּ֣ן
chânan
H2603
"be gracious"
V-Piel-Imperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to show kindness or favor, often by bending or stooping to help someone in need, as seen in the actions of God towards his people.
Definition: 1) to be gracious, show favour, pity 1a) (Qal) to show favour, be gracious 1b) (Niphal) to be pitied 1c) (Piel) to make gracious, make favourable, be gracious 1d) (Poel) to direct favour to, have mercy on 1e) (Hophal) to be shown favour, be shown consideration 1f) (Hithpael) to seek favour, implore favour
Usage: Occurs in 73 OT verses. KJV: beseech, [idiom] fair, (be, find, shew) favour(-able), be (deal, give, grant (gracious(-ly), intreat, (be) merciful, have (shew) mercy (on, upon), have pity upon, pray, make supplication, [idiom] very. See also: Genesis 33:5; Psalms 37:21; Psalms 4:2.
ק֭וֹל/וֹ
qôwl
H6963
"voice"
N-ms | Suff
A voice or sound, it can refer to the sound of a person speaking, an animal, or a musical instrument. In the Bible, it is often used to describe God's voice or the sound of praise and worship.
Definition: : sound/noise 1) voice, sound, noise 1a) voice 1b) sound (of instrument)
Usage: Occurs in 436 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] aloud, bleating, crackling, cry ([phrase] out), fame, lightness, lowing, noise, [phrase] hold peace, (pro-) claim, proclamation, [phrase] sing, sound, [phrase] spark, thunder(-ing), voice, [phrase] yell. See also: Genesis 3:8; Judges 5:11; Job 4:10.
אַל
ʼal
H408
"not"
Part
Means not or nothing, used to express negation, as in the phrase do not or let not be.
Definition: 1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference) 1a) do not, let not (with a verb) 1b) let there not be (with a verb understood) 1c) not, no (with substantive) 1d) nothing (as substantive) Aramaic equivalent: al (אַל "not" H0409)
Usage: Occurs in 572 OT verses. KJV: nay, neither, [phrase] never, no, nor, not, nothing (worth), rather than. See also: Genesis 13:8; Joshua 11:6; 1 Chronicles 22:13.
תַּֽאֲמֶן
ʼâman
H539
"be faithful"
V-Hiphil-Juss-2ms
This Hebrew word means to be faithful or trustworthy, as seen in the KJV translations. It can also mean to support or confirm something, and is used in passages like Psalm 37:3 to describe trusting in God. The concept of faithfulness is central to the book of Proverbs.
Definition: 1) to support, confirm, be faithful 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to support, confirm, be faithful, uphold, nourish 1a1a) foster-father (subst.) 1a1b) foster-mother, nurse 1a1c) pillars, supporters of the door 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be established, be faithful, be carried, make firm 1b1a) to be carried by a nurse 1b1b) made firm, sure, lasting 1b1c) confirmed, established, sure 1b1d) verified, confirmed 1b1e) reliable, faithful, trusty 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to stand firm, to trust, to be certain, to believe in 1c1a) stand firm 1c1b) trust, believe Aramaic equivalent: a.man (אֲמַן "to trust" H0540)
Usage: Occurs in 102 OT verses. KJV: hence, assurance, believe, bring up, establish, [phrase] fail, be faithful (of long continuance, stedfast, sure, surely, trusty, verified), nurse, (-ing father), (put), trust, turn to the right. See also: Genesis 15:6; Job 24:22; Psalms 12:2.
בּ֑/וֹ
""
Prep | Suff
כִּ֤י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
שֶׁ֖בַע
shebaʻ
H7651
"seven"
Adj
This word means the number seven, which was considered a special or sacred number. It can also mean seven times or a week, and is used in the Bible to describe completeness or perfection. The KJV translates it as seven or sevenfold.
Definition: 1) seven (cardinal number) 1a) as ordinal number 1b) in combination-17, 700 etc Aramaic equivalent: shiv.ah (שִׁבְעָה "seven" H7655)
Usage: Occurs in 344 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase] by) seven(-fold),-s, (-teen, -teenth), -th, times). Compare H7658 (שִׁבְעָנָה). See also: Genesis 4:24; Leviticus 23:15; 2 Samuel 21:6.
תּוֹעֵב֣וֹת
tôwʻêbah
H8441
"abomination"
N-fp
The Hebrew word for abomination refers to something disgusting, like idolatry or unclean food, and is often used to describe wickedness in the Bible.
Definition: 1) a disgusting thing, abomination, abominable 1a) in ritual sense (of unclean food, idols, mixed marriages) 1b) in ethical sense (of wickedness etc)
Usage: Occurs in 112 OT verses. KJV: abominable (custom, thing), abomination. See also: Genesis 43:32; Proverbs 26:25; Psalms 88:9.
בְּ/לִבּֽ/וֹ
lêb
H3820
"heart"
Prep | N-ms | Suff
Leb refers to the heart, but also represents feelings, will, and intellect in the Bible. It is used figuratively to describe the center of something, and is often translated as heart or mind. Leb is a complex concept that encompasses emotions and thoughts.
Definition: 1) inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding 1a) inner part, midst 1a1) midst (of things) 1a2) heart (of man) 1a3) soul, heart (of man) 1a4) mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory 1a5) inclination, resolution, determination (of will) 1a6) conscience 1a7) heart (of moral character) 1a8) as seat of appetites 1a9) as seat of emotions and passions 1a10) as seat of courage
Usage: Occurs in 552 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] care for, comfortably, consent, [idiom] considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-), (hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart(-ed), [idiom] heed, [idiom] I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), [idiom] regard(-ed), [idiom] themselves, [idiom] unawares, understanding, [idiom] well, willingly, wisdom. See also: Genesis 6:5; 2 Samuel 13:33; Psalms 4:8.
Study Notes — Proverbs 26:25
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 26:25 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 26:25
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 26:25
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 26:25
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 26:25
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 26:25
- Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 26:25
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 26:25
- Sermons on Proverbs 26:25
Context — Similitudes and Instructions
23Like glaze covering an earthen vessel are burning lips and a wicked heart.
24A hateful man disguises himself with his speech, but he lays up deceit in his heart.
25When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart.
26Though his hatred is concealed by deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. 27He who digs a pit will fall into it, and he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 6:16–19 | There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that run swiftly to evil, a false witness who gives false testimony, and one who stirs up discord among brothers. |
| 2 | Jeremiah 12:6 | Even your brothers— your own father’s household— even they have betrayed you; even they have cried aloud against you. Do not trust them, though they speak well of you. |
| 3 | Psalms 28:3 | Do not drag me away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, who speak peace to their neighbors while malice is in their hearts. |
| 4 | Matthew 24:23 | At that time, if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There He is!’ do not believe it. |
| 5 | Jeremiah 9:2–8 | If only I had a traveler’s lodge in the wilderness, I would abandon my people and depart from them, for they are all adulterers, a crowd of faithless people. “They bend their tongues like bows; lies prevail over truth in the land. For they proceed from evil to evil, and they do not take Me into account,” declares the LORD. “Let everyone guard against his neighbor; do not trust any brother, for every brother deals craftily, and every friend spreads slander. Each one betrays his friend; no one tells the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they wear themselves out committing iniquity. You dwell in the midst of deception; in their deceit they refuse to know Me,” declares the LORD. Therefore this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Behold, I will refine them and test them, for what else can I do because of the daughter of My people? Their tongues are deadly arrows; they speak deception. With his mouth a man speaks peace to his neighbor, but in his heart he sets a trap for him. |
| 6 | Psalms 12:2 | They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and a double heart. |
| 7 | Micah 7:5 | Do not rely on a friend; do not trust in a companion. Seal the doors of your mouth from her who lies in your arms. |
Proverbs 26:25 Summary
[Proverbs 26:25 warns us to be careful of people who speak nicely but have bad intentions. This is because their hearts are filled with evil thoughts, as seen in other parts of the Bible like Matthew 15:19. We should not just listen to what people say, but also look at what they do, as James 2:26 says that faith without works is dead. By being cautious and looking for consistency between words and actions, we can avoid being deceived by those who would seek to harm us.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean when the Bible says 'seven abominations fill his heart' in Proverbs 26:25?
This phrase suggests that the person who speaks graciously but has a wicked heart is filled with a multitude of evil intentions, as seen in other scriptures like Matthew 15:19, which lists the evil things that come from the heart.
How can we discern when someone is being deceitful, as described in Proverbs 26:25?
We can discern deceit by paying attention to a person's actions and consistency, as stated in James 2:26, which says that faith without works is dead, and looking for fruits of repentance as mentioned in Matthew 3:8.
What is the significance of the phrase 'When he speaks graciously, do not believe him' in Proverbs 26:25?
This phrase warns us to be cautious of people who use flattering speech to manipulate others, as seen in Psalm 5:9, which says that the mouth of the wicked is full of curses, deceit, and oppression.
How does Proverbs 26:25 relate to Jesus' teaching on judging others?
Proverbs 26:25 and Jesus' teaching in Matthew 7:15-20 both emphasize the importance of discerning the true nature of others, looking beyond their words to their actions and character, and being cautious of those who would seek to deceive us.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can be more discerning of the intentions of others, and not be swayed by flattering speech?
- How can I ensure that my own heart is not filled with 'seven abominations', but rather with the fruit of the Spirit, as described in Galatians 5:22-23?
- What are some practical ways that I can apply the wisdom of Proverbs 26:25 in my daily interactions with others, particularly in situations where I am unsure of someone's true intentions?
- In what ways can I be more mindful of my own speech and actions, ensuring that they are consistent with my heart and do not deceive others?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 26:25
When he speaketh fair, believe him not,.... Gives good words, flatters with his lips, pretends great kindness and favour, expresses himself in a very gracious and amiable manner, in order to gain
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 26:25
When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 26:25
Proverbs 26:25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for [there are] seven abominations in his heart.Ver. 25. When he speaketh fair, believe him not.] Nηφεκαιμεμνησοαπιστειν. Take heed whom you trust; "beware of men"; bless yourselves from your pretended friends, and pray with David to be "delivered from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue." Admit they not only speak us fair, but do us many kindnesses; yet believe them as little as David did Saul. Enemies’ gifts are giftless gifts, said one heathen. And timeo Danaos et dona ferentes, saith another. “ Munera magna quidem misit, sed misit in hamo: Et piscatorcm piscis amare potest?” - Martial. Eχθρωναδωραδωρα. - Soph. Virgil.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 26:25
(25) Seven abominations.—See above on Proverbs 26:16, and comp. “seven spirits” (Matthew 12:45) and “seven devils” (Mark 16:9).
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 26:25
Verse 25. When he speaketh fair] For there are such hypocrites and false friends in the world. Believe him not] Let all his professions go for nothing. For there are seven abominations in his heart.] That is, he is full of abominations.
Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 26:25
Seven abominations - Compare Proverbs 26:16 note. Here “seven” retains, perhaps, its significance as the symbol of completeness.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 26:25
25. When he speaketh fair — Literally, When he makes his voice gracious — speaks in kind, winning tones — believe him not; do not be deceived by the fair speech of a known enemy.
Sermons on Proverbs 26:25
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(So Great a Salvation) Temptation and Sin by Paris Reidhead | In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal story about his journey of faith. He describes a moment of deep conviction and repentance after disobeying his parents. He then reflec |
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The Awful Sin of Pride by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of patience and waiting on God's timing. He warns against making impulsive and fleshly decisions that can lead to disaster. T |
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Freedom From Denominationalism by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of seeking God's truth and total freedom from anything that binds us. He encourages humility, servanthood, and having a father |
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The Damnation of Hell - Part 1 (Compilation) by Compilations | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the consequences of rejecting God and living a life of sin. He vividly describes the torment and despair that awaits those who die without r |
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Be Filled With the Holy Spirit - 1 by Zacharias Tanee Fomum | In this sermon, the speaker asks the audience to reflect on what has changed in their hearts in the last five years. He emphasizes the importance of identifying and removing negati |
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Divisions by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker shares an anecdote about encountering a group of individuals who were causing division within a gathering of young people. He emphasizes the danger and |
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(Proverbs) ch.6:12 - 8:21 by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker addresses the issue of young people not realizing their need for God. He emphasizes the importance of humility and acknowledging one's need for God's gu |