Proverbs 26:25

Pro 26:25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for [there are] seven abominations in his heart.

Ver. 25. When he speaketh fair, believe him not.] Nηφε και μεμνησο απιστειν. Take heed whom you trust; "beware of men"; {Mat 10:17} bless yourselves from your pretended friends, and pray with David to be "delivered from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue." {Psa 120:2} Admit they not only speak us fair, but do us many kindnesses; yet believe them as little as David did Saul. Enemies’ gifts are giftless gifts, said one heathen. {a} And timeo Danaos et dona ferentes, saith another. {b}

“Munera magna quidem misit, sed misit in hamo:

Et piscatorcm piscis amare potest?” - Martial.

{a} Eχθρων αδωρα δωρα. - Soph.

{b} Virgil.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Meaning, many: he useth the number certain, for the uncertain.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

Sentiment of Pro 26:24 carried out.

seven abominations in his heart--that is, very many (compare Pro 24:16).

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Verse 25. When he speaketh fair] For there are such hypocrites and false friends in the world.

Believe him not] Let all his professions go for nothing.

For there are seven abominations in his heart.] That is, he is full of abominations.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

(25) Seven abominations.—See above on Pro_26:16, and comp. “seven spirits” (Mat_12:45) and “seven devils” (Mar_16:9).

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Whose hatred is covered by deceit,.... The hatred of whose heart is covered by deceitful words, and strong expressions of love and esteem; so that those to whom they are made are deceived by them. Or, whose "hatred is covered in a waste or desert place" (n); it being not seen; as what is done in desert places is not obvious to view, being little frequented; which agrees with what follows, and keeps up the antithesis between the two clauses: Schultens renders it, with a tumultuous noise, with loud and public acclamations; see Zac 4:7;

his wickedness shall be showed before the whole congregation; in an open court of judicature, where he shall be brought, arraigned, and tried for his wickedness; which, though covertly done, shall be exposed and proved upon him: or before the church of God, where he shall be convicted by the word, and be obliged to acknowledge his sin; and, in a member, be reproved before all, and rejected: or however, at the great day of judgment, before angels and men, when all will be convened together; and where every secret work will be brought, and will be brought to light, and receive its just reward.

(n) "in desolatione", Montanus; "in solitudine", Baynus, Vatablus; "in vastatione", Tigurine version; "in vastitate", Mercerus, Piscator, so Ben Melech.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Seven abominations - Compare Pro 26:16 note. Here “seven” retains, perhaps, its significance as the symbol of completeness. Evil has, as it were, gone through all its work, and holds its accursed Sabbath in the heart in which all things are “very evil.”

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

25. When he speaketh fair — Literally, When he makes his voice gracious — speaks in kind, winning tones — believe him not; do not be deceived by the fair speech of a known enemy.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

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. (Mat_12:45 Mar_16:9) Ecc_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, Escath adikia dokein dikaion einai mh onta . "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."

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.