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

21Like charcoal is to burning coals, and wood to fire, so is a contentious person to kindle strife. 22The words of a gossip are like delicious morsels; they go down into a person’s innermost being. Like a coating of glaze over earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart. 24The one who hates others disguises it with his lips, but he stores up deceit within him. 25When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for there are seven abominations within him.

Proverbs 26:23 word by word

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

Words taken from the KJV.

• Burningדָּלַקdâlaq · to burn/pursueH1814
• lipsשָׂפָהώâphâh ώepheth · lipsH8193
• and a wickedרַעra‛ râ‛âh · bad: evilH7451
• heartלֵבlêb · heartH3820
• a potsherdחֶ֫רֶשׂchereώ · earthenwareH2789
• coveredצָפָהtsâphâh · to overlayH6823
• with silverכֶּ֫סֶףkeseph · silver: moneyH3701
• drossסִיגsîyg sûg · drossH5509

Cross-references for Proverbs 26:23

• Proverbs 10:18The one who conceals hatred utters lies, and the one who spreads slander is certainly a fool.
• 2 Samuel 20:9Joab said to Amasa, “How are you, my brother?” With his right hand Joab took hold of Amasa’s beard as if to greet him with a kiss.
• Ezekiel 33:31They come to you in crowds, and they sit in front of you as my people. They hear your words, but do not obey them. For they talk lustfully, and their heart is set on their own advantage.
• Luke 22:47While he was still speaking, suddenly a crowd appeared, and the man named Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He walked up 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