Proverbs 26:23-25 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 26:23-28

On guard Unfortunately, we have to treat men as we find them, not as we wish that they were and as their Creator meant them to be. We are compelled to learn caution as we pass on our way. I. OUR FIRST DUTY AND ITS NATURAL REWARD . Our first duty, natural to the young and the unsophisticated, is to be frank, open-minded, sincere, trustful; to say all that is in our heart, and to expect others to do the same; to believe that men mean what they say and say what they mean.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 26:24

He that hateth dissembleth with his lips. This and the next verse form a tetrastich. St. Jerome, Labiis suis intelligitur inimicus . But the verb here used, נכר , bears the meaning "to make one's self unknown," as well as "to make one's self known," and hence "to make one's self unrecognizable" by dress or change of countenance ( 1 Kings 14:5 ). This is much more appropriate in the present connection than the other explanation. The man cloaks his hatred with honeyed words. And... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 26:25

When he speaketh fair, believe him not. When he lowers his voice to a winning, agreeable tone, put no trust in him. Septuagint, "If thine enemy entreat thee with a loud voice, be not persuaded." For there are seven abominations in his heart. His heart is filled with a host of evil thoughts (see on Proverbs 26:16 ), as if seven devils had entered in and dwelt there. Ecclesiastes 12:10 , etc. "Never trust thine enemy; for like as iron rusteth, so is his wickedness. Though he humble... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 26:23

Proverbs 26:23. Burning lips Either, 1st, Lips pretending much love, that is, words delivered with a show of truth and fervent affection; or, rather, 2d, Burning with malice or hatred; that is, a slanderous or evil tongue; and a wicked heart From whence evil thoughts and malicious words proceed; are like a potsherd covered with silver dross Such a tongue and heart are of no real worth, although sometimes they make a show of it, as dross does of silver. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 26:24-26

Proverbs 26:24-26. He that hateth dissembleth with his lips Hebrew, ינכר , carries himself like another man, that is, pretends love and kindness; and layeth up deceit within him Means, by counterfeiting kindness, only the more easily and securely to deceive thee. When he speaketh fair Hebrew, יחנן קולו , uses gracious or supplicating language, gives thee the kindest words, and assures thee he is sincere; believe him not Give no credit to his flatteries and professions of esteem and... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 26:1-28

Fools and troublemakers (26:1-28)Only a fool honours a fool, and only a fool curses another without cause. Such a curse cannot come true (26:1-2). People with wisdom know on which occasions to ignore a fool and on which occasions to answer him (3-5). Fools cannot be trusted. For them, proverbs are as useless as paralysed legs, and honour is as useless as a stone tied to the sling that is supposed to throw it out (6-8). Fools with a little knowledge can be dangerous. As employees, they can... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 26:23

Burning lips: i.e. warm professions. silver dross. Figure of speech Hypallage ( App-6 ). Hebrew = silver of dross. read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Proverbs 26:25

speaketh fair = maketh his voice gracious. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Proverbs 26:23

"Fervent lips and a wicked heart Are like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.He that hateth dissembleth with his lips; But he layeth up deceit within him:When he speaketh fair, believe him not; For there are seven abominations in his heart.Though his hatred cover itself with guile, His wickedness shall be openly showed before the assembly.Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; And he that rolleth a stone, it shall return upon him.A lying tongue hateth them whom it hath wounded; And a... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Proverbs 26:23

Proverbs 26:23. Burning lips, and a wicked heart— Splendid lips, with a wicked heart. Houbigant. The LXX read, Smooth lips, disguising a wicked heart. read more