Proverbs 26:23

Proverbs 26:23 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
• New International Version (NIV)Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Like the glaze covering an earthen vessel are fervent lips with an evil heart.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Fervent lips with a wicked heart Are like earthenware covered with silver dross.

Context of Proverbs 26:23

21[As] coals for hot coals, and wood for fire, so is a contentious man to inflame strife. 22The words of a talebearer are as dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. Ardent lips, and a wicked heart, are [as] an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross. 24He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, but he layeth up deceit within him: 25when his voice is gracious, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart.

Proverbs 26:23 word by word

כֶּ֣סֶף סִ֭יגִים מְצֻפֶּ֣ה עַל־חָ֑רֶשׂ שְׂפָתַ֖יִם דֹּלְקִ֣ים וְלֶב־רָֽע׃Read the interlinear

• lipsשָׂפָהώâphâh ώepheth · lipsH8193
• wickedרַעra‛ râ‛âh · bad: harmfulH7451
• heartלֵבlêb · heartH3820
• overlaidצָפָהtsâphâh · to overlayH6823
• silverכֶּ֫סֶףkeseph · silver: moneyH3701

Cross-references for Proverbs 26:23

• Proverbs 10:18He that covereth hatred hath lying lips, and he that sendeth forth a slander is a fool.
• 2 Samuel 20:9And Joab said to Amasa, Art thou well, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him.
• Ezekiel 33:31And they come unto thee as a people cometh, and they sit before thee [as] my people, and they hear thy words, but they do them not; for with their mouth they shew much love, [but] their heart goeth after their dishonest gain.
• Luke 22:47As he was yet speaking, behold, a crowd, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went on before them, and drew near to Jesus to kiss him.

Commentaries on Proverbs 26:23

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 23Burning lips and a wicked heart - Splendid, shining, smooth lips; that is, lips which make great professions of friendship are like a vessel plated over with base metal to make it resemble silver; but it is only a vile pot, and even the outside is not pure.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 23Burning lips - i. e., “Lips glowing with, affection, uttering warm words of love,” joined with a malignant heart, are like a piece of broken earthenware from the furnace, which glitters with the silver drops at stick to it, but is itself worthless.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 23Verse 23 A wicked heart disguising itself, is like a potsherd covered with the dross of silver.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 23-26People sometimes hide bad intentions with flattery. Eventually, the true hatred of those who speak smoothly will be revealed.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2323. Warm professions can no more give value to insincerity than silver coating to rude earthenware.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 26:23

• Dross
• Hypocrisy
• Silver
• Speaking
• Wicked (People)

In the dictionaries

• Causeless
• Conceit
• Dross
• Kindle
• Potsherd
• Render
• Seemly
• Sport
• Talebearer
• Fervent

Commentaries on Proverbs 26

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings