Proverbs 6:16

16 There are six things which the LORD hates, Yes, seven which 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 Who with perversity in his heart continually devises evil, Who spreads strife.

15 Therefore his calamity will come suddenly; Instantly he will be broken and there will be no healing.

16 There are six things which the LORD hates, Yes, seven which 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 run rapidly to evil,

Footnotes

• [a] Lit "of His soul"