Proverbs 6:16

16 There are ¹six things that the Lord hates, ²seven that are an abomination to him:

Proverbs 6:16 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 6:16

These six [things] doth the Lord hate
That is, the six following, which are all to be found in a man of Belial, a wicked man before described. There are other things besides these that God hates, and indeed more so; as sins against the first table, which more immediately strike at his being, horror, and glory; these being such as are against the second table, but are mentioned, as more especially appearing in the character of the above person; and must be hateful to God, as contrary to his nature, will, and law; yea, seven [are] an abomination unto him;
or, "the abomination of his soul" ^F3; what his soul abhors, or he abhors from his very heart: meaning not seven others, but one more along with the six, which make seven; a like way of speaking, see in ( Proverbs 30:15 Proverbs 30:18 Proverbs 30:29 ) ( Job 5:19 ) . Nor is the word "abomination" to be restrained to the "seventh", or "hatred" to the "sixth"; but they are all to be supposed to be hateful and abominable to the Lord; though some think the cardinal number is put for the ordinal, "seven" for the "seventh"; as if the seventh, which is sowing discord among brethren, was of all the most abominable, ( Proverbs 6:19 ) ; it being what was last mentioned in the character of the wicked man, ( Proverbs 6:14 ) ; and which seems to have given occasion to, and for the sake of which this enumeration is made.

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FOOTNOTES:

F3 (wvpn twbewt) "abominatio ejus animae", Montanus, Vatablus, Mercerus, Cocceius, Michaelis, Schultens.

Proverbs 6:16 In-Context

14 with perverted heart devises evil, continually sowing discord;

15 therefore calamity will come upon him suddenly; in a moment he will be broken beyond healing.

16 There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him:

17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

18 a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil,

Cross References

• 1. 6:16 See Job 5:19
• 2. 6:16 See Job 5:19