Proverbs 26:28
Proverbs 26:28 in Multiple Translations
A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth causes ruin.
A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
A lying tongue hateth those whom it hath wounded; And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
A false tongue has hate for those who have clean hearts, and a smooth mouth is a cause of falling.
If you tell lies, you show you hate your victims; if you flatter people, you cause disaster.
A false tongue hateth the afflicted, and a flattering mouth causeth ruine.
A lying tongue hateth its bruised ones, And a flattering mouth worketh an overthrow!
A lying tongue hates those it hurts; and a flattering mouth works ruin.
A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
A deceitful tongue loveth not truth: and a slippery mouth worketh ruin.
Those [MTY] who tell lies to others really hate them, and those who deceive others ruin them.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 26:28
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 26:28 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
לְֽשׁוֹן
שֶׁ֭קֶר
יִשְׂנָ֣א
דַכָּ֑י/ו
וּ/פֶ֥ה
חָ֝לָ֗ק
יַעֲשֶׂ֥ה
מִדְחֶֽה
לְֽשׁוֹן
lâshôwn
H3956
tongue
N-cs
שֶׁ֭קֶר
sheqer
H8267
deception
N-ms
יִשְׂנָ֣א
sânêʼ
H8130
to hate
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
דַכָּ֑י/ו
dak
H1790
crushed
Adj | Suff
וּ/פֶ֥ה
peh
H6310
lip
Conj | N-ms
חָ֝לָ֗ק
châlâq
H2509
smooth
Adj
יַעֲשֶׂ֥ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
מִדְחֶֽה
midcheh
H4072
ruin
N-ms
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 26:28
לְֽשׁוֹן
lâshôwn
H3956
"tongue"
N-cs
The tongue, used for eating, speaking, or describing a language. In the Bible, it appears in many books, including Genesis 11:1 and Acts 2:4.
Definition: : tongue/words 1) tongue 1a) tongue (of men) 1a1) tongue (literal) 1a2) tongue (organ of speech) 1b) language 1c) tongue (of animals) 1d) tongue (of fire) 1e) wedge, bay of sea (tongue-shaped)
Usage: Occurs in 115 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] babbler, bay, [phrase] evil speaker, language, talker, tongue, wedge. See also: Genesis 10:5; Psalms 126:2; Psalms 5:10.
שֶׁ֭קֶר
sheqer
H8267
"deception"
N-ms
This word refers to deception or falsehood, often implying a sense of betrayal or disappointment. It's used in the Bible to describe lies, false testimony, or deceitful behavior, like in Psalm 116:11, where the psalmist says all men are liars.
Definition: 1) lie, deception, disappointment, falsehood 1a) deception (what deceives or disappoints or betrays one) 1b) deceit, fraud, wrong 1b1) fraudulently, wrongfully (as adverb) 1c) falsehood (injurious in testimony) 1c1) testify falsehood, false oath, swear falsely 1d) falsity (of false or self-deceived prophets) 1e) lie, falsehood (in general) 1e1) false tongue 1f) in vain
Usage: Occurs in 109 OT verses. KJV: without a cause, deceit(-ful), false(-hood, -ly), feignedly, liar, [phrase] lie, lying, vain (thing), wrongfully. See also: Exodus 5:9; Proverbs 25:18; Psalms 7:15.
יִשְׂנָ֣א
sânêʼ
H8130
"to hate"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
To hate means to feel intense dislike or hostility, as seen in the actions of enemies or foes in the Bible. It can also describe God's hatred of sin.
Definition: 1) to hate, be hateful 1a) (Qal) to hate 1a1) of man 1a2) of God 1a3) hater, one hating, enemy (participle) (subst) 1b) (Niphal) to be hated 1c) (Piel) hater (participle) 1c1) of persons, nations, God, wisdom Aramaic equivalent: se.ne (שְׂנָא "to hate" H8131)
Usage: Occurs in 139 OT verses. KJV: enemy, foe, (be) hate(-ful, -r), odious, [idiom] utterly. See also: Genesis 24:60; Psalms 50:17; Psalms 5:6.
דַכָּ֑י/ו
dak
H1790
"crushed"
Adj | Suff
This Hebrew word means to be crushed or oppressed, often used to describe someone who is injured or afflicted. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: crushed, oppressed
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: afflicted, oppressed. See also: Psalms 9:10; Psalms 74:21; Psalms 10:18.
וּ/פֶ֥ה
peh
H6310
"lip"
Conj | N-ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to the mouth, lips, or edge of something, and can also mean a portion or side of something. It is often used to describe speech or the act of speaking. This word appears in various forms, such as mouth, lip, or edge.
Definition: : lip/mouth peh 1) mouth 1a) mouth (of man) 1b) mouth (as organ of speech) 1c) mouth (of animals) 1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc) 1e) extremity, end pim 2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21
Usage: Occurs in 460 OT verses. KJV: accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment, assent, collar, command(-ment), [idiom] eat, edge, end, entry, [phrase] file, hole, [idiom] in, mind, mouth, part, portion, [idiom] (should) say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, tenor, [idiom] to, [phrase] two-edged, wish, word. See also: Genesis 4:11; Deuteronomy 21:17; Ezra 9:11.
חָ֝לָ֗ק
châlâq
H2509
"smooth"
Adj
This Hebrew word describes something or someone as smooth, often referring to flattering or deceitful speech. It is used in the Bible to warn against smooth talkers who intend to deceive. The book of Proverbs contains many warnings about smooth talk.
Definition: flattering, smooth
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: flattering, smooth. See also: Genesis 27:11; Proverbs 26:28; Proverbs 5:3.
יַעֲשֶׂ֥ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
מִדְחֶֽה
midcheh
H4072
"ruin"
N-ms
Ruin means a cause of stumbling or a means of overthrow. It describes something that leads to failure or destruction, often used in biblical warnings and prophecies.
Definition: 1) occasion of stumbling, means of stumbling 2) (TWOT) ruin
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: ruin. See also: Proverbs 26:28.
Study Notes — Proverbs 26:28
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 26:28 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 26:28
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 26:28
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 26:28
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 26:28
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 26:28
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 26:28
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 26:28
- Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 26:28
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 26:28
- Sermons on Proverbs 26:28
Context — Similitudes and Instructions
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.
28A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth causes ruin.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | John 8:44–49 | You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me! Which of you can prove Me guilty of sin? If I speak the truth, why do you not believe Me? Whoever belongs to God hears the words of God. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.” The Jews answered Him, “Are we not right to say that You are a Samaritan and You have a demon?” “I do not have a demon,” Jesus replied, “but I honor My Father, and you dishonor Me. |
| 2 | Luke 20:20–21 | So they watched Him closely and sent spies who pretended to be sincere. They were hoping to catch Him in His words in order to hand Him over to the rule and authority of the governor. “Teacher,” they inquired, “we know that You speak and teach correctly. You show no partiality, but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. |
| 3 | John 10:32–33 | But Jesus responded, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone Me?” “We are not stoning You for any good work,” said the Jews, “but for blasphemy, because You, who are a man, declare Yourself to be God.” |
| 4 | Proverbs 7:21–23 | With her great persuasion she entices him; with her flattering lips she lures him. He follows her on impulse, like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer bounding into a trap, until an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird darting into a snare— not knowing it will cost him his life. |
| 5 | Proverbs 7:5 | that they may keep you from the adulteress, from the stranger with seductive words. |
| 6 | Proverbs 6:24 | to keep you from the evil woman, from the smooth tongue of the adulteress. |
| 7 | Proverbs 29:5 | A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet. |
| 8 | John 8:40 | But now you are trying to kill Me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing. |
| 9 | John 15:22–24 | If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin. Whoever hates Me hates My Father as well. If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have seen and hated both Me and My Father. |
Proverbs 26:28 Summary
[This verse is warning us about the dangers of lying and flattery. When we lie, we are not only hurting others, but we are also showing that we hate them, as seen in Proverbs 26:28. On the other hand, when we use flattery, we are trying to manipulate others to get what we want, and this can lead to ruin, as warned in Proverbs 26:28. We should strive to be honest and sincere in our words and actions, as encouraged in Proverbs 10:32 and Ephesians 4:25.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for a lying tongue to hate those it crushes?
This means that when someone lies, they are not only deceiving others, but they are also showing a deep-seated hatred for those they are deceiving, as seen in Proverbs 26:28, and this can ultimately lead to their own downfall, as warned in Psalms 52:4.
How does a flattering mouth cause ruin?
A flattering mouth causes ruin by using insincere words to manipulate and deceive others, leading them down a path of destruction, as warned in Proverbs 26:28, and this is also seen in the story of Judas Iscariot in Matthew 26:47-50, where his flattery and deceit led to the betrayal of Jesus.
What is the difference between a lying tongue and a flattering mouth?
While both are forms of deception, a lying tongue is more overt and directly harmful, as seen in Proverbs 12:22, whereas a flattering mouth is more subtle and manipulative, using insincere praise to achieve its goals, as seen in Proverbs 26:28.
How can we avoid being deceived by lying tongues and flattering mouths?
We can avoid being deceived by being rooted in the truth of God's Word, as seen in Psalms 119:160, and by being discerning and wise in our interactions with others, as warned in Proverbs 14:15 and 1 John 4:1-3.
Reflection Questions
- How have I been affected by lying tongues or flattering mouths in my own life, and what can I learn from these experiences?
- What are some ways that I can cultivate honesty and sincerity in my own speech and interactions with others, as encouraged in Ephesians 4:25 and Colossians 3:9-10?
- How can I balance the need to be kind and encouraging with the need to be truthful and honest in my interactions with others, as seen in Proverbs 27:6 and Proverbs 28:23?
- What are some warning signs that someone may be using a lying tongue or a flattering mouth, and how can I protect myself from their influence, as warned in Proverbs 25:18-19?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 26:28
A lying tongue hateth [those that are] afflicted by it,.... That is, a man of a lying tongue, that is given to lying, hates those that are hurt and crushed by his lies; the reason why he hurts them
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 26:28
A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin. A lying tongue hateth (those that are) afflicted by it.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 26:28
Hateth those that are afflicted by it, because by his calumnies he hath made them his enemies. A flattering mouth; which, though it be more smooth and plausible than a slandering mouth, yet is in truth no less pernicious, betraying others either to sin, or to danger and mischief.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 26:28
Proverbs 26:28 A lying tongue hateth [those that are] afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.Ver. 28. A lying tongue hateth those that are addicted by it.] False love proves to be true hatred, by the evil consequent of its ruin and destruction to the party flattered, and betrayed by a smooth supparasitation. There are those who thus read the text. The false tongue hateth those that smite it, &c. Truth breeds hatred, as the fair nymphs did the ill-favoured fauns and satyrs.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 26:28
(28) A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it.—As the remembrance of them calls up his own wickedness to the mind of the offender. This is one reason why “the carnal mind is enmity against God” (Romans 8:7), as being conscious of having rejected God’s love, and so hating to be reminded of Him.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 26:28
Verse 28. A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it] He that injures another hates him in proportion to the injury he has done him; and, strange to tell, in proportion to the innocence of the oppressed. The debtor cannot bear the sight of his creditor; nor the knave, of him whom he has injured.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 26:28
28. Comp. “Proprium humani ingenii est odisse quem læseris.” Tacitus, Agric., cap. 42.
Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 26:28
The lying tongue hates its victims.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 26:28
28. A lying tongue… and a flattering mouth — These terms, according to Hebrew usage, stand for persons with these qualities. The rendering of the first clause is not entirely satisfactory.
Sermons on Proverbs 26:28
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Lesson of Love by J.R. Miller | J.R. Miller emphasizes that learning to love is the essence of living, as demonstrated by Christ's life and teachings. He explains that true Christian love is not natural but must |
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Where Is America Headed? by Vance Havner | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that as Christians, we are engaged in a spiritual battle that has already been won by Jesus on the cross. He compares our role to that of so |
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This Way to Real Freedom by Warren Wiersbe | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of embracing God's truth and not being afraid of it. He explains that when our minds are filled with God's truth, our hearts |
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(John - Part 34): If the Son Shall Make You Free, Ye Shall Be Free Indeed by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of examining one's conduct to determine their true nature. He highlights the need for humility and a willingness to learn, as |
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(Genesis) Genesis 3:14-19 by J. Vernon McGee | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the judgment of the fall as described in verse 14 of the Bible. He emphasizes that God must deal with the creature He made, who has turned aw |
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(Basics) 65. Lying by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the widespread sin of lying and its destructive impact on relationships. He refers to John 8:44, where Jesus tells the Jews who believed in H |
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A Very Close Look at Satan by Danny Bond | In this sermon, the preacher explores Revelation chapter 12 verses 7-12, focusing on the strategies of Satan and his ultimate defeat. The sermon emphasizes that Satan's tactics are |