Proverbs - 12:22



22 Lying lips are an abomination to Yahweh, but those who do the truth are his delight.

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of Proverbs 12:22.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.
Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord: but they that deal faithfully please him.
An abomination to Jehovah are lying lips, And stedfast doers are his delight.
False lips are hated by the Lord, but those whose acts are true are his delight.
Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD; But they that deal truly are His delight. .
Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord. But whoever acts faithfully pleases him.

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

Lying lips are abomination to the Lord,.... Such that speak lies in common talk; and that deliver out doctrinal lies, false doctrines, lies in hypocrisy, as are the doctrines of Rome; these are abominable unto God; as being contrary to his nature as the God of truth; contrary to the Scriptures of truth he has endited; contrary to the truth of the Gospel he has published; contrary to his Son, who is truth itself; and to the Spirit of truth, which leads into all truth, as it is in Jesus; wherefore an abomination and a lie are joined together, Revelation 21:27;
but they that deal truly are his delight; or the objects of "his good will" and pleasure, as the word (i) signifies; they are grateful and acceptable to him; he is well-pleased with them, and delights in them. Not only such that speak the truth, but "do the truth" (k), as the words may be rendered; whose words and actions, doctrine and life, agree together: it is not enough to embrace, profess, or preach the truth, but he must practise it; see John 3:21; he must deal truly with God and men, or faithfully, as the Targum and Vulgate Latin version; he must be true to his word and promises, and faithfully perform what he has agreed unto. Or, "that work faith"; that work the work of faith, that faith which works by love; that live on Christ and his righteousness; such are well pleasing to God; without which faith it is impossible to please him, Hebrews 11:6.
(i) "est beneplacitum ejus", Vatablus, Mercerus, Gejerus; "accepti sunt ei", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Cocceius. (k) "facientibus veritatem", Pagninus, Mercerus, Gejerus; "facientes veritatem", Montanus; "qui faciunt veritatem", Cocceius.

Make conscience of truth, not only in words, but in actions.

deal truly--or, "faithfully," that is, according to promises (compare John 3:21).

22 Lying lips are an abhorrence to Jahve,
And they that deal truly are His delight.
The frame of the distich is like Proverbs 11:1, Proverbs 11:20. אמוּנה is probity as the harmony between the words and the inward thoughts. The lxx, which translates ὁ δὲ ποιῶν πίστεις, had in view עשה אמונים (עשׂה אמוּנים, cf. Isaiah 26:2); the text of all other translations agrees with that commonly received.

*More commentary available at chapter level.


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