Proverbs 26:23
Like the glaze covering an earthen vessel are fervent lips with an evil heart.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse highlights that words of intense affection or conviction ("burning lips") can be deceptive. Just like a cheap clay pot covered with a shiny but worthless coating, a wicked heart can mask itself with words that sound sincere and valuable. The outward display of fervor doesn't guarantee a pure interior; it might just be a superficial shine over something truly worthless.
This proverb appears within a section of Proverbs that offers a series of sharp, often biting, observations about fools and their foolishness. It follows warnings against responding to a fool according to their folly and about the destructive power of gossip. The verse itself then contrasts outward displays of passionate speech with inner corruption, likening insincere words to a worthless pot made to look valuable.
Understand the original words
lebab · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the deep-seated inner self, the seat of the intellect, will, emotions, and moral choices. In the Bible, it is the center of a person's character and the place where either righteousness or evil originates.
ra'ah · Hebrew Adjective
Actions or attitudes that are morally corrupt, depraved, or contrary to God's standard of holiness. Biblically, evil signifies a fundamental opposition to God's character.
Jesus uses a similar image, calling the Pharisees 'like whitewashed tombs, which indeed appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness.' This highlights the same theme of outward beauty masking inward corruption.
Luke 11:39This passage, a parallel to Matthew 23:27, also describes the Pharisees as 'like your tombs that are not evident, and the people walk over them without knowing it.' It reinforces the idea of a deceptive exterior that hides a rotten interior.
Jeremiah 17:9This verse states, 'The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?' It explains the 'why' behind the deceptive 'burning lips,' pointing to the corrupted source of the outward display.
Psalm 78:36-37This psalm describes how the people 'flattered him with their mouths, they lied to him with their tongues. For their hearts were not steadfast toward him; they were not true to his covenant.' This illustrates the insincerity of words spoken with an unfaithful heart, mirroring the proverb's warning.
pooleProverbs 26:23: "Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross."
Burning; either, 1. With love. Words delivered with show of true and fervent affection. Or rather, 2. With malice or hatred. A slanderous or evil tongue; for this word is constantly used in a bad sense, and notes the heat of rage and persecution. 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 doth of silver…
bensonProverbs 26:23: "Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross."
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, althou…
This verse highlights that words of intense affection or conviction ("burning lips") can be deceptive. Just like a cheap clay pot covered with a shiny but worthless coating, a wicked heart can mask itself with words that sound sincere and valuable. The outward display of fervor doesn't guarantee a pure interior; it might just be a superficial shine over something truly worthless.
This proverb appears within a section of Proverbs that offers a series of sharp, often biting, observations about fools and their foolishness. It follows warnings against responding to a fool according to their folly and about the destructive power of gossip. The verse itself then contrasts outward displays of passionate speech with inner corruption, likening insincere words to a worthless pot made to look valuable.
This proverb appears within a section of Proverbs that offers a series of sharp, often biting, observations about fools and their foolishness. It follows warnings against responding to a fool according to their folly and about the destructive power of gossip. The verse itself then contrasts outward displays of passionate speech with inner corruption, likening insincere words to a worthless pot made to look valuable.
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"Like the glaze covering an earthen vessel are fervent lips with an evil heart." — This verse highlights that words of intense affection or conviction ("burning lips") can be deceptive. Just like a cheap clay pot covered with a shiny but worthless coating, a wicked heart can mask i…
