Proverbs 6:16-19

The Proverb for the month of April, 2022 is chapter 6:16-19

16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

Although there are 7 things listed in these verses which are indentified as thing the Lord hates, the use of the phrase “six things , , , yea, seven” is a Hebrew literary style which implies the list is not exhaustive.

It is similar to the New Testament writing of Paul when he lists “works of the flesh” in Galatians 5. After listing 17 things the Apostle simply completed it with the words, “and such like.”  This phrase reminds us that there is more that could be in the list.

In Proverbs 6:16  There are parallel phrases which basically say the same thing.  The first phrase speaks of “doth the Lord hate” and the second phrase speaks of things that are “an abomination unto him.”

Transcript

Mark Parker 0:00

The Proverb for the month of April, 2022 is chapter 6:16-19

16 These six things doth the LORD hate:

yea, seven are an abomination unto him:

17 A proud look, a lying tongue,

and hands that shed innocent blood,

18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations,

feet that be swift in running to mischief,

19 A false witness that speaketh lies,

and he that soweth discord among brethren.

Although there are 7 things listed in these verses which are indentified as thing the Lord hates, the use of the phrase “six things , , , yea, seven” is a Hebrew literary style which implies the list is not exhaustive.

The writer gives the list as an example of some things which the Lord hates but wants us all to understand that there are things beyond this list which the Lord hates.

It is similar to the New Testament writing of Paul when he lists “works of the flesh” in Galatians 5. After listing 17 things the Apostle simply completed it with the words, “and such like.”  This phrase reminds us that there is more that could be in the list.

In Proverbs 6:16  There are parallel phrases which basically say the same thing.  The first phrase speaks of “doth the Lord hate” and the second phrase speaks of things that are “an abomination unto him.”

• The word from which here the word hate is derived from means “to be cold and indifferent to, to show less favour to.” (Wilson’s OT Word Studies).
• The word from which “abomination’ is derived indicates that which the Lord detests.

Now it may surprise you that there are actually things that the Lord hates or detest.  There is sin which will make one unclean in the sight of the Lord.

A good study for you would be to take up a concordance and look through the Bible to discover “what the Lord hates “  and likewise, what is an “abomination” to Him.

Do not be deceived into thinking that the Lord somehow changed how he felt about these things in the NT.  I’ve already referred to the works of the flesh in Galatians 5,  where the scripture plainly declares “”they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”

According to Revelation 21:8

8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

As the 7 things in Proverbs bears out, as well as the works of the flesh in Galatians 5 and this verse of the judgment of the Lord in Rev. 21:8,  many of the things the Lord hates is also a sin against humanity.

Jesus taught that the first commandment of the law was to Lord the Lord thy God . . . and the second was to love your neighbor.  These are interrelated even in the NT.

James wrote: 

If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: 9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

The Apostle John admonished the church:

1 John 4:20, 21

20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? 21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

In his Bible Study Commentary on Proverbs, Eldon Woodcock spoke of our Proverbs of the month:

The qualities (which the Lord doth hate) are disruptive, malevolent, and destructive of good neighborly relationships.  The sins include the categories of

ATTITUDE

THOUGHT 

SPEECH

ACTION

and INFLUENCE

• A proud look would entail an arrogant, conceited person who often has no respect for spiritual and moral principles as well as no concern for others.
• Other sins mentioned in this Proverb include lying, perjury, murder, plotting evil and eagerness to activate evil plans.
• One who stirs up dissension among brothers’ disrupts the normal amicable relation within family and among friends; causing hostility where love should be.

Hebrews 12:14, 15

14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

In conjunction with Proverbs 6:16-19,  Hebrews 12 clearly spells out that the defiler of others is in serious danger with God.  God hates it when we are dishonest, unethical and disrespectful toward our fellow man.  He has always felt that way and always will.