Proverbs 26:24

24 A weeping enemy promises all things with his lips, but in his heart he contrives deceit.

Proverbs 26:24 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 26:24

He that hateth dissembleth with his lips
He that bears a grudge in his mind, and retains hatred in his heart against any person, hides it all he can, till he has an opportunity of showing it as he would; he pretends a great deal of friendship with his lips, that his hatred might not be known; he would be thought to be a friend, when he is really an enemy; he does not choose as yet to make himself known what he is. Some render it to a sense the reverse, "the enemy", or "he that hateth, is known by his lips" ^F12; so the Targum, Vulgate Latin, and Syriac versions: if you carefully watch him, mark his words, and observe what he says, you will find out the hatred that lies in his heart; he cannot forbear saying something, at one time or another, which betrays the malignity of his mind; and layeth up deceit within him;
or, "though ^F13 he layeth up" hides it as much as he can, yet it will show itself in some way or another.

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FOOTNOTES:

F12 (rkny) "agnoscetur", Montanus, Vatablus; "cognoscetur", Tigurine version; "cognoscitur", Amama, so Luther.
F13 (w) "quamvis", Luther. apud Gejerus, Baynus.

Proverbs 26:24 In-Context

22 The words of cunning knaves are soft; but they smite to the inmost parts of the bowels.

23 Silver dishonestly given is to be considered as a potsherd: smooth lips cover a grievous heart.

24 A weeping enemy promises all things with his lips, but in his heart he contrives deceit.

25 Though enemy intreat thee with a loud voice, consent not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.

26 He that hides enmity frames deceit: but being easily discerned, exposes his own sins in the public assemblies.