Proverbs 13:5
The righteous hates falsehood, but the wicked brings shame and disgrace.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Proverbs 13:5
The righteous hates falsehood, but the wicked brings shame and disgrace.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The Hebrew word for "loathsome" here literally means to "stink." So, the wicked don't just cause shame; their deceitful actions create a foul odor that repels everyone, making them contemptible and ultimately leading to their own disgrace.
This proverb arrives in the midst of a series contrasting the ways of the righteous and the wicked. It follows verses detailing the importance of diligence over laziness and the consequences of poor choices, setting the stage for a discussion on character and reputation. Immediately after, Solomon will explore how wealth gained unjustly disappears while honest labor brings abundance, further highlighting this fundamental divide.
What does it mean to truly hate falsehood? This verse paints a vivid picture of the righteous person's stance.
The verse states that a righteous person "hates falsehood." This isn't just a mild dislike; it's a deep aversion. It implies a commitment to truth in all areas of life – what we say, what we believe, and how we act.
Why Such Strong Aversion?
The wicked don't just do wrong things; their actions have a distinctly repulsive and shameful effect.
The second half of the verse describes the wicked person as 'loathsome' and one who 'brings shame and disgrace.' The word 'loathsome' originally carried the sense of emitting a foul odor, like something decaying. It suggests that the wicked person's actions and character become morally repulsive, offensive to God and others.
The Smell of Sin
Understand the original words
tsaddiq · Hebrew Noun/Adjective
Those who are in right standing with God; individuals whose lives and conduct align with God's moral standards and covenantal requirements.
sheqer · Hebrew Noun
Deceptive speech or conduct that is contrary to the truth of God; a lie or anything that misrepresents reality.
rasha · Hebrew Noun/Adjective
Those who are morally corrupt, guilty, or deviating from the way of God; the antithesis of the righteous.
This psalm describes the character of one who can dwell in God's presence, and it highlights integrity and truthfulness while condemning slander and falsehood, mirroring the righteousness that hates lies.
John 8:44Jesus directly calls the devil the 'father of lies,' powerfully illustrating the ultimate source and nature of falsehood, and why a righteous person would naturally abhor it.
Ephesians 4:25This verse explicitly commands believers to 'put away falsehood' and 'speak truthfully,' showing that a commitment to truth is a fundamental aspect of righteous living in the New Testament.
Revelation 21:8This passage lists 'liars' among those whose place is in the lake of fire, emphasizing the severe and disgraceful end awaiting those who practice deceit, contrasting sharply with the righteous.
Colossians 3:9Paul instructs believers not to 'lie to each other,' directly connecting the renunciation of falsehood with the 'new self' that has been renewed in Christ, reinforcing the idea that righteousness actively rejects deceit.
cambridgeProverbs 13:5: "A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame."
5 . is loathsome ] lit. stinketh . Comp. Ecclesiastes 10:1 ; Exodus 5:21 , where the same Heb. word occurs. In R.V. marg. an alternative rendering is suggested: causeth shame and bringeth reproach .
jfbProverbs 13:5: "A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame."
- loathsome … shame—better, causeth shame and reproach (compare Pr 19:26), by slander, &c., which the righteous hates.
The Hebrew word for "loathsome" here literally means to "stink." So, the wicked don't just cause shame; their deceitful actions create a foul odor that repels everyone, making them contemptible and ultimately leading to their own disgrace.
This proverb arrives in the midst of a series contrasting the ways of the righteous and the wicked. It follows verses detailing the importance of diligence over laziness and the consequences of poor choices, setting the stage for a discussion on character and reputation. Immediately after, Solomon will explore how wealth gained unjustly disappears while honest labor brings abundance, further highlighting this fundamental divide.
This proverb arrives in the midst of a series contrasting the ways of the righteous and the wicked. It follows verses detailing the importance of diligence over laziness and the consequences of poor choices, setting the stage for a discussion on character and reputation. Immediately after, Solomon will explore how wealth gained unjustly disappears while honest labor brings abundance, further highlighting this fundamental divide.
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"The righteous hates falsehood, but the wicked brings shame and disgrace." — The Hebrew word for "loathsome" here literally means to "stink." So, the wicked don't just cause shame; their deceitful actions create a foul odor that repels everyone, making them contemptible and u…