Proverbs 10:18

18. Hideth מכסה , ( mekhasseh,) covereth. (See Proverbs 10:6; Proverbs 10:12.)

Lying lips Hebrews, lips of lying: the Hebrew way of saying, He is a liar.

Uttereth a slander Literally, causes a murmur an evil report to go forth. The verse is difficult, and probably our version has missed the sense. Stuart renders, “He who concealeth hatred is of lying lips, and he who uttereth slander is a fool.” The Septuagint, for “lying lips,” reads righteous lips, which is not approved. Rueetschi, whom Miller follows, contends that the two clauses make but one proposition, rendering them, “He that hides hatred with lying lips, but puts forth slander, is himself the fool.” But the Speaker’s Commentary has, “He who hideth hatred is of lying lips,” and remarks: “The alternative is offered with a delicate touch of irony. He who cherishes hatred must choose between being a knave or a fool a knave if he hides it, a fool if he utters it.” Compare Proverbs 12:19-22; Proverbs 26:24.