Proverbs 26:25
New International Version
Though their speech is charming, do not believe them, for seven abominations fill their hearts.

New Living Translation
They pretend to be kind, but don’t believe them. Their hearts are full of many evils.

English Standard Version
when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart;

Berean Standard Bible
When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart.

King James Bible
When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.

New King James Version
When he speaks kindly, do not believe him, For there are seven abominations in his heart;

New American Standard Bible
When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, Because there are seven abominations in his heart.

NASB 1995
When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, For there are seven abominations in his heart.

NASB 1977
When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, For there are seven abominations in his heart.

Legacy Standard Bible
When he makes his voice gracious, do not believe him, For there are seven abominations in his heart.

Amplified Bible
When he speaks graciously and kindly [to conceal his malice], do not trust him, For seven abominations are in his heart.

Christian Standard Bible
When he speaks graciously, don’t believe him, for there are seven detestable things in his heart.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When he speaks graciously, don’t believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart.

American Standard Version
When he speaketh fair, believe him not; For there are seven abominations in his heart:

Contemporary English Version
than can be counted--so don't believe a word!

English Revised Version
When he speaketh fair, believe him not; for there are seven abominations in his heart:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When he talks charmingly, do not trust him because of the seven disgusting things in his heart.

Good News Translation
They may sound fine, but don't believe him, because his heart is filled to the brim with hate.

International Standard Version
Though he speaks graciously, don't believe him, for there are seven detestable things in his heart.

Majority Standard Bible
When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart.

NET Bible
When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for there are seven abominations within him.

New Heart English Bible
When his speech is charming, do not believe him; for there are seven abominations in his heart.

Webster's Bible Translation
When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.

World English Bible
When his speech is charming, don’t believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
When his voice is gracious do not trust in him, "" For seven abominations [are] in his heart.

Young's Literal Translation
When his voice is gracious trust not in him, For seven abominations are in his heart.

Smith's Literal Translation
When his voice will compassionate, thou shalt not believe him, for seven abominations in his heart.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
When he shall speak low, trust him not: because there are seven mischiefs in his heart.

Catholic Public Domain Version
When he will have lowered his voice, do not believe him, for there are seven vices in his heart.

New American Bible
When they speak graciously, do not trust them, for seven abominations are in their hearts.

New Revised Standard Version
when an enemy speaks graciously, do not believe it, for there are seven abominations concealed within;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Though he speaks in a gentle tone, believe him not; for there are seven abominations in his heart.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And if he makes his voice gentle, do not believe him, because seven evils are within him.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
When he speaketh fair, Believe him not; For there are seven abominations in his heart.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Though thine enemy intreat thee with a loud voice, consent not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Similitudes and Instructions
24A hateful man disguises himself with his speech, but he lays up deceit in his heart. 25When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart. 26Though his hatred is concealed by deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.…

Cross References
Jeremiah 9:8
Their tongues are deadly arrows; they speak deception. With his mouth a man speaks peace to his neighbor, but in his heart he sets a trap for him.

Psalm 55:21
His speech is smooth as butter, but war is in his heart. His words are softer than oil, yet they are swords unsheathed.

Matthew 23:27-28
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. / In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.

Romans 16:18
For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.

Psalm 28:3
Do not drag me away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, who speak peace to their neighbors while malice is in their hearts.

Matthew 7:15
Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15
For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. / And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. / It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions.

Psalm 12:2
They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and a double heart.

2 Peter 2:1-3
Now there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. / Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them the way of truth will be defamed. / In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep.

Isaiah 29:13
Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men.

1 John 4:1
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Ezekiel 33:31
So My people come to you as usual, sit before you, and hear your words; but they do not put them into practice. Although they express love with their mouths, their hearts pursue dishonest gain.

Matthew 15:8
‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me.

2 Timothy 3:5
having a form of godliness but denying its power. Turn away from such as these!

Micah 3:5
This is what the LORD says: “As for the prophets who lead My people astray, who proclaim peace while they chew with their teeth, but declare war against one who puts nothing in their mouths:


Treasury of Scripture

When he speaks fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.

Psalm 12:2
They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.

Psalm 28:3
Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts.

Jeremiah 9:2-8
Oh that I had in the wilderness a lodging place of wayfaring men; that I might leave my people, and go from them! for they be all adulterers, an assembly of treacherous men…

believe

Jeremiah 12:6
For even thy brethren, and the house of thy father, even they have dealt treacherously with thee; yea, they have called a multitude after thee: believe them not, though they speak fair words unto thee.

Matthew 24:23
Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.

seven

Proverbs 6:16-19
These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: …

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Abominations Belief Believe Charming Evils Fair Fill Gracious Graciously Heart Seven Speaketh Speaks Speech Trust Voice Words
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Abominations Belief Believe Charming Evils Fair Fill Gracious Graciously Heart Seven Speaketh Speaks Speech Trust Voice Words
Proverbs 26
1. observations about fools
13. about sluggards
17. and about contentious busybodies














When he speaks graciously
The Hebrew word for "graciously" here is "חֵן" (chen), which conveys a sense of charm or favor. In the context of Proverbs, this term often refers to speech that is outwardly appealing or persuasive. Historically, the ancient Near Eastern cultures placed a high value on eloquence and rhetoric, which could be used to manipulate or deceive. This phrase warns against being swayed by smooth talk, reminding believers that not all that glitters is gold. The Bible frequently cautions against false prophets and deceitful individuals who use charming words to lead others astray (e.g., Matthew 7:15).

do not believe him
The directive "do not believe" is a call to discernment and wisdom. In Hebrew, "believe" is "אמן" (aman), which means to support or confirm. This word is related to the concept of faithfulness and trust. The verse advises caution and skepticism, urging believers to look beyond surface appearances and to seek the truth. This aligns with the broader biblical teaching that faith should be placed in God and His Word, rather than in the fallible words of men (Jeremiah 17:5).

for seven abominations fill his heart
The number "seven" in Hebrew culture often symbolizes completeness or perfection. Here, it suggests a fullness of wickedness. "Abominations" (תּוֹעֵבָה, to'evah) are things that are detestable or loathsome to God. This phrase indicates that the person's heart is entirely consumed with evil intentions, despite their outwardly gracious speech. The heart, in biblical terms, is the center of one's being, encompassing thoughts, emotions, and will. This warning echoes the teachings of Jesus, who emphasized that it is from the heart that evil thoughts and actions originate (Mark 7:21-23). The verse serves as a reminder to guard one's heart and to be wary of those whose inner corruption is masked by a facade of kindness.

(25) Seven abominations.--See above on Proverbs 26:16, and comp. "seven spirits" (Matthew 12:45) and "seven devils" (Mark 16:9).

Verse 25. - When he speaketh fair, believe him not. When he lowers his voice to a winning, agreeable tone, put no trust in him. Septuagint, "If thine enemy entreat thee with a loud voice, be not persuaded." For there are seven abominations in his heart. His heart is filled with a host of evil thoughts (see on ver. 16), as if seven devils had entered in and dwelt there (Matthew 12:45; Mark 16:9). Ecclus. 12:10, etc. "Never trust thine enemy; for like as iron rusteth, so is his wickedness. Though he humble himself, and go crouching, yet take good heed and beware of him." Plato's verdict concerning hypocrisy is often quoted, Ἐσχάτη ἀδικία δοκεῖν δίκαιον εϊναι μὴ ὄντα "It is the very worst form of injustice to appear to be just without being so in reality" ('De Rep.,' 2, p. 361, A). With this Cicero agrees ('De Offic.,' 1:13), "Totius injustitiae nulla capitalior est quam eorum, qui tum cum maxime fallunt id agunt ut viri boni esse videantur."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
When
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

he speaks
ק֭וֹלוֹ (qō·w·lōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6963: A voice, sound

graciously,
יְחַנֵּ֣ן (yə·ḥan·nên)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2603: To bend, stoop in kindness to an inferior, to favor, bestow, to implore

do not
אַל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

believe him,
תַּֽאֲמֶן־ (ta·’ă·men-)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect Jussive - second person masculine singular
Strong's 539: To confirm, support

for
כִּ֤י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

seven
שֶׁ֖בַע (še·ḇa‘)
Number - feminine singular
Strong's 7651: Seven, seven times, a week, an indefinite number

abominations
תּוֹעֵב֣וֹת (tō·w·‘ê·ḇō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 8441: Something disgusting, an abhorrence, idolatry, an idol

[fill] his heart.
בְּלִבּֽוֹ׃ (bə·lib·bōw)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 26:25 When his speech is charming don't believe (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 26:24
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