Proverbs 6:16-19
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
It’s easy to skim over this verse, thinking it’s just a list. But notice the subtle shift from "six things that the LORD hates" to "seven that are an abomination to him." This isn't just adding one more sin; it’s emphasizing that this seventh thing, sowing discord, is profoundly detestable to God's very being, his soul, showing how deeply He values unity and love within His family.
There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage doesn't stand alone; it directly follows a description of a deceitful, lazy, and destructive person. The writer enumerates specific actions and attitudes that are utterly detestable to God, moving from personal pride and dishonesty to more outwardly harmful behaviors like false witness and instigating conflict. The verse serves as a stark warning, highlighting that God's judgment falls on those who embody these traits, which are presented as completely contrary to His character.
Why does the Bible list specific things God hates? It's not just a random inventory of bad deeds.
A Divine Displeasure
Proverbs 6:16 isn't just a poetic way to say 'God dislikes sin.' This verse, and the list that follows, highlights actions that deeply offend God's character and disrupt His created order. The language here – 'hates' and 'abomination' – signals a strong divine disapproval.
The Purpose of the List
This isn't an exhaustive list of everything God dislikes. Instead, it focuses on specific behaviors that are particularly destructive to human relationships and undermine the fabric of society. These are sins that have a tangible, negative impact.
Think of it this way: God loves justice, truth, and harmony. The actions listed are the direct opposite of these divine qualities. They are presented to warn us and to help us understand what kind of character and conduct aligns with God's heart.
Why use 'six' and then 'seven'? It seems a bit unusual. What's the point of the numbers?
The Power of Numbers in Proverbs
Proverbs often uses numerical patterns to make its points memorable and impactful. The shift from six to seven isn't about a 'seventh' sin being worse, but rather a rhetorical flourish to emphasize completeness. It’s like saying, 'There are six things, and even to make it absolutely full – seven!'
Ask a follow-up
Completeness, Not Hierarchy
Scholars point out that this numerical structure is a common literary device in ancient wisdom literature. The larger number often signifies totality or fullness. The point is that the list is comprehensive in representing a certain type of destructive behavior that is abhorrent to God. All the items are equally detestable in His sight, not ranked in order of severity.
The use of 'seven' suggests a complete set, leaving no doubt about the thoroughness of God’s rejection of these practices. It’s a full spectrum of relational wickedness laid bare.
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.
rum 'ayin · Hebrew Noun phrase
A metaphor for pride, arrogance, or looking down on others. It describes the internal state of a person who exalts themselves above God and their neighbor.
lashon sheqer · Hebrew Noun phrase
Speech that is untruthful or deceitful, reflecting a heart that does not honor the truth of God. It is frequently condemned as a violation of the commandment against bearing false witness.
dam naqi · Hebrew Noun phrase
The intentional taking of human life in a way that violates God's law. It reflects a total disregard for the sanctity of life created in the image of God.
leb · Hebrew Noun
The seat of the intellect, will, and emotions in biblical anthropology. A heart that plots evil demonstrates a mind and will corrupted by sinful intent.
ra'ah · Hebrew Noun
Actions characterized by moral badness, depravity, or harmful intent. It stands in direct opposition to God's standard of righteousness.
'ed sheqer · Hebrew Noun phrase
A person who provides false testimony, subverting justice and damaging the reputation or life of another. It reflects a character of habitual deceit.
madon · Hebrew Noun
The act of causing division, strife, or contention, particularly within the covenant community or family. It is viewed as an active destruction of the unity that God desires among His people.
This passage echoes the sentiment of Proverbs 6:16 by stating that God hates those who love violence and that His righteous soul detests evildoers, highlighting God's strong opposition to wickedness.
Amos 5:24This verse powerfully illustrates God's desire for justice to flow like a mighty river, contrasting it with the perversion of justice and righteousness that God hates, as seen in the specific sins listed in Proverbs 6.
Romans 12:9Paul's instruction to 'Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good' directly relates to Proverbs 6:16, urging believers to adopt God's perspective on sin and to actively reject the abominations He detests.
Matthew 23:27-28Jesus likens the Pharisees to whitewashed tombs, full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness, showing a similar divine revulsion for outward piety that masks inner corruption, a concept that resonates with the list of hidden sins in Proverbs 6.
Proverbs 15:26This verse directly states that the thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord, reinforcing the theme from Proverbs 6:16 that God's hatred extends to the deep-seated intentions and imaginations behind sinful actions.
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…
It’s easy to skim over this verse, thinking it’s just a list. But notice the subtle shift from "six things that the LORD hates" to "seven that are an abomination to him." This isn't just adding one more sin; it’s emphasizing that this seventh thing, sowing discord, is profoundly detestable to God's very being, his soul, showing how deeply He values unity and love within His family.
This passage doesn't stand alone; it directly follows a description of a deceitful, lazy, and destructive person. The writer enumerates specific actions and attitudes that are utterly detestable to God, moving from personal pride and dishonesty to more outwardly harmful behaviors like false witness and instigating conflict. The verse serves as a stark warning, highlighting that God's judgment falls on those who embody these traits, which are presented as completely contrary to His character.
This passage doesn't stand alone; it directly follows a description of a deceitful, lazy, and destructive person. The writer enumerates specific actions and attitudes that are utterly detestable to God, moving from personal pride and dishonesty to more outwardly harmful behaviors like false witness and instigating conflict. The verse serves as a stark warning, highlighting that God's judgment falls on those who embody these traits, which are presented as completely contrary to His character.
"There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evi…" — It’s easy to skim over this verse, thinking it’s just a list. But notice the subtle shift from "six things that the LORD hates" to "seven that are an abomination to him." This isn't just adding one m…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
