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

21A quarrelsome person starts fights as easily as hot embers light charcoal or fire lights wood. 22Rumors are dainty morsels that sink deep into one’s heart. Smooth words may hide a wicked heart, just as a pretty glaze covers a clay pot. 24People may cover their hatred with pleasant words, but they’re deceiving you. 25They pretend to be kind, but don’t believe them. Their hearts are full of many evils.

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 10:18Hiding hatred makes you a liar; slandering others makes you a fool.
• 2 Samuel 20:9“How are you, my cousin?” Joab said and took him by the beard with his right hand as though to kiss him.
• Ezekiel 33:31So my people come pretending to be sincere and sit before you. They listen to your words, but they have no intention of doing what you say. Their mouths are full of lustful words, and their hearts seek only after money.
• Luke 22:47But even as Jesus said this, a crowd approached, led by Judas, one of the twelve disciples. Judas walked over to Jesus to greet him with a kiss.

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