Proverbs 26:26

26 Though [his] hatred cover itself with guile, His wickedness shall be openly showed before the assembly.

Proverbs 26:26 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 26:26

[Whose] hatred is covered by deceit
The hatred of whose heart is covered by deceitful words, and strong expressions of love and esteem; so that those to whom they are made are deceived by them. Or, whose "hatred is covered in a waste or desert place" F14; it being not seen; as what is done in desert places is not obvious to view, being little frequented; which agrees with what follows, and keeps up the antithesis between the two clauses: Schultens renders it, with a tumultuous noise, with loud and public acclamations; see ( Zechariah 4:7 ) ; his wickedness shall be showed before the [whole] congregation;
in an open court of judicature, where he shall be brought, arraigned, and tried for his wickedness; which, though covertly done, shall be exposed and proved upon him: or before the church of God, where he shall be convicted by the word, and be obliged to acknowledge his sin; and, in a member, be reproved before all, and rejected: or however, at the great day of judgment, before angels and men, when all will be convened together; and where every secret work will be brought, and will be brought to light, and receive its just reward.


FOOTNOTES:

F14 (Nwavmb) "in desolatione", Montanus; "in solitudine", Baynus, Vatablus; "in vastatione", Tigurine version; "in vastitate", Mercerus, Piscator, so Ben Melech.

Proverbs 26:26 In-Context

24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips; But he layeth up deceit within him:
25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not; For there are seven abominations in his heart:
26 Though [his] hatred cover itself with guile, His wickedness shall be openly showed before the assembly.
27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; And he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.
28 A lying tongue hateth those whom it hath wounded; And a flattering mouth worketh ruin.
The American Standard Version is in the public domain.