Proverbs 6:16
There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him:
English Standard Version (ESV)
Proverbs 6:16
There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him:
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse isn't just a list of bad behaviors; it's a rhetorical device that amplifies God's abhorrence. The shift from "six things the LORD hates" to "seven that are an abomination to Him" emphasizes that these are not minor issues but deeply offensive to God's very being, His "soul."
Immediately following a warning against falling prey to a neighbor's pledge or a stranger's debt, the text shifts abruptly to list specific actions that God finds utterly detestable. This intense list of "six things" followed by "seven" serves to dramatically highlight behaviors that are profoundly offensive to the Lord and deeply damaging to human relationships.
We often think of God's love and grace, but what about His hatred? This verse reveals a divine displeasure that's precise and profound.
When we read that God 'hates' certain things, it's easy to dismiss it as human emotion projected onto the divine. But in Scripture, God's hatred signifies a deep, intentional opposition to anything that corrupts His creation or defies His righteous character.
This isn't a fleeting anger, but a settled, holy aversion to sin. The text uses two words: 'hate' and 'abomination.' While both express strong disapproval, 'abomination' often carries a sense of something deeply offensive, defiling, and contrary to God's very being. It's not just about disliking an action, but about finding the principle behind it fundamentally repulsive and dangerous.
This list isn't exhaustive of all that God hates, but it highlights specific attitudes and actions that are particularly destructive and contrary to His heart. They represent a rebellion against the order and love He intends for humanity.
Why six? Why seven? This isn't just a random list; it's a carefully crafted portrait of destructive character traits. What can we learn from the 'math' of God's judgment?
The use of numbers in this passage, 'six' and 'seven,' is significant. While some scholars debate whether the seventh item is worse than the others, the consensus is that both numbers represent completeness or fullness in different ways. Six can represent human imperfection, while seven often signifies divine perfection or completion. In this context, it emphasizes that these are not minor slip-ups, but deeply ingrained patterns of behavior that are completely offensive to God.
The goal isn't to get bogged down in counting, but to recognize the deliberate structure meant to arrest our attention. It's like saying, 'Here's the full spectrum of this kind of destructive behavior, and God sees every bit of it.'
Each item on the list, from a 'proud look' to 'sowing discord,' describes actions that tear down relationships, undermine truth, and attack the vulnerable. They are sins that poison the well of human interaction and stand in direct opposition to God's design for community and love.
Understand the original words
sane · Hebrew Verb
A term expressing God's intense displeasure and rejection of things that are contrary to His holy nature and moral law. It signifies a profound moral abhorrence.
to'ebah · Hebrew Noun
Something that is morally detestable, repugnant, or utterly offensive to God, often associated with idolatry or gross sin. It denotes an object or action that is essentially incompatible with God's holiness.
This Psalm also speaks about God's hatred for certain actions and attitudes, particularly those involving wickedness and deceit, echoing the heart of Proverbs 6.
Jeremiah 7:9-10This passage highlights God's strong disapproval of theft, murder, false swearing, and other offenses, showing that these are not new concerns but deeply ingrained aspects of what God detests.
Romans 12:9Paul directly commands believers to 'hate what is evil' and 'cling to what is good,' demonstrating how these sins listed in Proverbs are not merely things God hates, but also things His followers are called to reject.
Matthew 15:19Jesus lists a similar internal corruption—evil thoughts, murder, adultery, etc.—that flows from the heart, showing the internal root of the outward actions condemned in Proverbs.
bensonProverbs 6:16: "These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:"
Proverbs 6:16-19 . These six things — Generally found in those men of Belial, described in the foregoing verses; doth the Lord hate — Namely, above many other sins, which have a worse name in the world; a proud look — Pride of heart, which commonly discovers itself by a man’s looks and gestures; a lying tongue — Lying and deceit in his common conversation. A heart that deviseth wicked imaginations — Wh…
pulpitProverbs 6:16: "These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:"
Verse 16. - The whole structure and arrangement of the thoughts which occur in vers. 16-19 clearly show that this is not an independent section, but one closely allied to that which has just preceded. The object is to show that those evil qualities of deceit and malice which are disastrous to man are equally odious in the sight of Jehovah, and consequently within the scope of the Divine displeasure. Th…
This verse isn't just a list of bad behaviors; it's a rhetorical device that amplifies God's abhorrence. The shift from "six things the LORD hates" to "seven that are an abomination to Him" emphasizes that these are not minor issues but deeply offensive to God's very being, His "soul."
Immediately following a warning against falling prey to a neighbor's pledge or a stranger's debt, the text shifts abruptly to list specific actions that God finds utterly detestable. This intense list of "six things" followed by "seven" serves to dramatically highlight behaviors that are profoundly offensive to the Lord and deeply damaging to human relationships.
Immediately following a warning against falling prey to a neighbor's pledge or a stranger's debt, the text shifts abruptly to list specific actions that God finds utterly detestable. This intense list of "six things" followed by "seven" serves to dramatically highlight behaviors that are profoundly offensive to the Lord and deeply damaging to human relationships.
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"There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him:" — This verse isn't just a list of bad behaviors; it's a rhetorical device that amplifies God's abhorrence. The shift from "six things the LORD hates" to "seven that are an abomination to Him" emphasize…