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

21As coals are to embers and wood to fire, so is a contentious person to kindling strife. 22A gossip’s words are like tasty morsels— they slide down into the innermost parts of the body. Like silver glaze overlaying earthenware are fervent lips with an evil heart. 24One who hates, disguises it with his lips, but he stores up deceit within him. 25When he speaks favorably, do not believe him, 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

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 10:18One who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.
• 2 Samuel 20:9Then Joab said to Amasa, “Is it well with you my brother?” With his right hand Joab took Amasa by the beard to kiss him.
• Ezekiel 33:31So they come to you, as people come, and sit before you as My people and hear your words—but they do not do them—for with their mouth they express doting love, but their heart goes after their own dishonest gain.
• Luke 22:47While Yeshua was speaking, suddenly a crowd came, and the one called Judah, one of the Twelve, approached Yeshua 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