Proverbs 12:22
Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who act faithfully are his delight.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
This verse highlights that God's delight isn't just in truthful speech, but in those whose actions and promises align with what is true. It's about "doing the truth," not just saying it, showing a deep integrity that God finds pleasing.
This verse stands within a section of Proverbs that contrasts the ways of the righteous with the wicked. Just before this, the text speaks of how "the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, but he is a friend to the righteous." It then moves to focus on specific actions and character traits, like the value of honest labor and the dangers of deceit, all leading up to this stark comparison between lies and faithfulness.
Understand the original words
to'ebah · Hebrew Noun
Anything that is morally detestable, repugnant, or offensive to the holiness and character of God. It signifies a profound divine rejection of certain actions or attitudes.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
A title for the God of Israel, the covenant-keeping I AM, who reveals Himself through His redemptive actions and holiness. It signifies His absolute sovereignty and personal relationship with His people.
This passage describes the character of someone who can dwell in God's presence, explicitly including the one who 'does not lie, even when it costs him' and 'does not put out his money at interest nor take a bribe against the innocent,' highlighting the connection between truthfulness and righteousness that pleases God.
John 8:44Jesus directly confronts the devil, calling him the 'father of lies,' which vividly illustrates the profound opposition between God's nature and the essence of deception.
Ephesians 4:25Paul directly exhorts believers to 'put away falsehood and speak truth each one with his neighbor,' reinforcing that truthfulness is a fundamental aspect of living out one's new identity in Christ.
Revelation 21:8This verse lists 'liars' among those whose place is in the 'lake of fire,' emphasizing the extreme severity with which God views falsehood, paralleling its description as an 'abomination' in Proverbs.
1 John 1:6This passage warns that claiming to have fellowship with God while walking in darkness (which includes deceit) is a lie, showing that true connection with God is intrinsically linked to living truthfully.
bensonProverbs 12:22: "Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight."
Proverbs 12:22 . Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord — “The Lord,” says Melancthon, on this verse, “recommends to us the love and care of truth, both in doctrines concerning himself, and in arts, and all honest covenants and contracts: for truth being among the chiefest and most conspicuous virtues, therefore the contrary vice is condemned by an expressive word, abomination, that is, such a…
jfbProverbs 12:22: "Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight."
- deal truly—or, "faithfully," that is, according to promises (compare Joh 3:21).
This verse highlights that God's delight isn't just in truthful speech, but in those whose actions and promises align with what is true. It's about "doing the truth," not just saying it, showing a deep integrity that God finds pleasing.
This verse stands within a section of Proverbs that contrasts the ways of the righteous with the wicked. Just before this, the text speaks of how "the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, but he is a friend to the righteous." It then moves to focus on specific actions and character traits, like the value of honest labor and the dangers of deceit, all leading up to this stark comparison between lies and faithfulness.
This verse stands within a section of Proverbs that contrasts the ways of the righteous with the wicked. Just before this, the text speaks of how "the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, but he is a friend to the righteous." It then moves to focus on specific actions and character traits, like the value of honest labor and the dangers of deceit, all leading up to this stark comparison between lies and faithfulness.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Proverbs 12:22 is available in the Sola app.
"Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who act faithfully are his delight." — This verse highlights that God's delight isn't just in truthful speech, but in those whose actions and promises align with what is true. It's about "doing the truth," not just saying it, showing a de…
