Bible Strands
Proverbs 8:7
For my mouth will speak the truth, and wickedness is detestable to my lips.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Personified Wisdom addresses the listener in Proverbs 8, declaring the moral character of her own speech immediately after commanding attention in verse 6. She speaks directly to the reader as the voice of divine instruction.
The words — The Hebrew אֱמֶת ('Emet) translates literally to truth, and תוֹעֲבַת (to'evat) means abomination or detestable thing. These terms establish the verse's claim that her speech is fundamentally real and morally repulsive to corruption.
The thread — This standard of speech runs through Proverbs 12:22, which labels lying lips detestable, and Psalms 37:30, which describes the righteous mouth as uttering wisdom. The New Testament applies this same criterion for valid testimony in John 8:14.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to measure all communication against an objective moral standard rather than personal convenience. It demands active alignment with truth and the deliberate rejection of corrupt speech.
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
For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
Cross-references
- Psalms 37:30 The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice.
- John 8:14 Jesus replied, “Even if I testify about Myself, My testimony is valid, because I know where I came from and where I am going. But you do not know where I came from or where I am going.
- Proverbs 12:22 Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight.
- John 17:17 Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.
- Job 36:4 For truly my words are free of falsehood; one perfect in knowledge is with you.
- Proverbs 29:27 An unjust man is detestable to the righteous, and one whose way is upright is detestable to the wicked.
- John 1:17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
- John 8:45 But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me!
- John 18:37 “Then You are a king!” Pilate said. “You say that I am a king,” Jesus answered. “For this reason I was born and have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to My voice.”
- Revelation 3:14 To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Originator of God’s creation.