Proverbs 26:23
Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
Original Language Analysis
כֶּ֣סֶף
with silver
H3701
כֶּ֣סֶף
with silver
Strong's:
H3701
Word #:
1 of 9
silver (from its pale color); by implication, money
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
4 of 9
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
שְׂפָתַ֖יִם
lips
H8193
שְׂפָתַ֖יִם
lips
Strong's:
H8193
Word #:
6 of 9
the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)
Cross References
Luke 11:39And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.Proverbs 10:18He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.Proverbs 25:4Take away the dross from the silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the finer.Matthew 23:27Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness.Ezekiel 33:31And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness.
Historical Context
Ancient pottery could be coated with metallic glaze to appear valuable. Without assaying, fraud wasn't apparent. Similarly, smooth speakers could deceive without discernment. Jesus warned of false prophets who 'come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves' (Matthew 7:15). Paul described false teachers who 'by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple' (Romans 16:18). Eloquence doesn't guarantee truth; evaluate content and character, not merely presentation.
Questions for Reflection
- What smooth speakers are you trusting without evaluating their character or message's truth?
- How might your own speech be 'silver dross' - eloquent covering for evil heart?
- What discernment would see through fervent lips to detect wicked hearts?
Analysis & Commentary
Fervent lips with an evil heart are like silver dross covering an earthen vessel. The Hebrew 'dalaq' (burning/fervent) and 'keseph siygim' (silver dross) creates imagery of fraudulent covering. Silver-covered pottery appears valuable but isn't. Smooth speech covering evil heart is similarly fraudulent - appearing genuine while being worthless. This warns against trusting eloquence without evaluating character. Proverbs 26:24-25 expand this: 'He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him; When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.'