Bible Strands

Proverbs 26:24

A hateful man disguises himself with his speech, but he lays up deceit in his heart.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The wisdom writer addresses a reader seeking discernment, cataloging dangerous human behaviors to avoid. The instruction follows a warning about wicked hearts masked by smooth words and precedes a caution against trusting gracious speech.

The words — יִנָּכֵ֣ר (yi.na.Kher) translates literally as "he disguises himself," and מִרְמָֽה (mir.Mah) means "deceit." The verse contrasts outward masking with inward storage of falsehood.

The thread — This pattern of hidden malice masked by speech appears in Proverbs 10:18, Proverbs 12:20, and Psalms 41:6. Each reference links deceptive words with a heart storing slander or evil.

Why it lands — The text demands that readers judge character by actions rather than words, recognizing that smooth speech can conceal stored malice. It requires vigilant discernment before trust is granted.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

בִּ֭שְׂפָתָיוbi/s.fa.to/vwith/ lips/ hisיִנָּכֵ֣רyi.na.Kherhe disguises himselfשׂוֹנֵ֑אso.Ne'[one who] hatesוּ֝בְקִרְבּ֗וֹu./ve./kir.B/oand/ in/ inner being/ hisיָשִׁ֥יתya.Shithe putsמִרְמָֽה׃mir.Mahdeceit

King James Version

He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;

Cross-references