Bible Strands
Proverbs 26:25
When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The author of Proverbs addresses a general audience, warning them about a person who masks hatred with pleasing words. This instruction immediately follows a description of a hateful man who conceals his malice behind a facade of courtesy.
The words — The Hebrew יְחַנֵּן (yeḥannēn) literally means "he will make favorable" or "speak graciously," paired with תּוֹעֵבֹת (toʿēḇōt), translated as "abominations." These terms contrast the outward appearance of kindness with the inward reality of moral repulsion.
The thread — The motif of hidden malice masked by peaceful words appears in Psalms 28:3, which warns against those who speak peace to neighbors while harbiting malice. The numerical pattern of seven abominations echoes the structure in Proverbs 6:16, which lists six things the Lord hates plus seven detestable things.
Why it lands — The text demands that readers refuse to trust outwardly gracious speech when it originates from a heart filled with concealed hatred. It requires practical discernment to recognize that deceptive words do not alter a person's true moral condition.
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
King James Version
When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 6:16 There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him:
- 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.
- 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.
- Jeremiah 9:2 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.
- Psalms 12:2 They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and a double heart.
- Matthew 24:23 At that time, if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There He is!’ do not believe it.
- 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.