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.
• 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.
• New Living Translation (NLT)Smooth words may hide a wicked heart, just as a pretty glaze covers a clay pot.

Context of Proverbs 26:23

21As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife. 22The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts. Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart. 24Enemies disguise themselves with their lips, but in their hearts they harbor deceit. 25Though their speech is charming, do not believe them, for seven abominations fill their hearts.

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 10:18Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool.
• 2 Samuel 20:9Joab said to Amasa, “How are you, my brother?” Then Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him.
• Ezekiel 33:31My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to hear your words, but they do not put them into practice. Their mouths speak of love, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain.
• Luke 22:47While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached 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