Proverbs 6:16
These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
Original Language Analysis
שֶׁשׁ
These six
H8337
שֶׁשׁ
These six
Strong's:
H8337
Word #:
1 of 7
six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth
הֵ֭נָּה
H2007
הֵ֭נָּה
Strong's:
H2007
Word #:
2 of 7
themselves (often used emphatic for the copula, also in indirect relation)
יְהוָ֑ה
things doth the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
things doth the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 7
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְ֝שֶׁ֗בַע
yea seven
H7651
וְ֝שֶׁ֗בַע
yea seven
Strong's:
H7651
Word #:
5 of 7
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
Cross References
Psalms 11:5The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.Proverbs 8:13The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.Proverbs 11:20They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.Proverbs 3:32For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.Deuteronomy 25:16For all that do such things, and all that do unrighteously, are an abomination unto the LORD thy God.Proverbs 17:15He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.Proverbs 11:1A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.Proverbs 20:23Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good.Proverbs 30:21For three things the earth is disquieted, and for four which it cannot bear:Deuteronomy 23:18Thou shalt not bring the hire of a whore, or the price of a dog, into the house of the LORD thy God for any vow: for even both these are abomination unto the LORD thy God.
Historical Context
This passage belongs to the instructional section warning against various sins. The numerical saying formula (x, x+1) appears throughout ancient Near Eastern wisdom texts as a mnemonic device. The specific sins listed reflect covenant community values—God abhors what destroys social trust and harms the innocent. Post-exilic Judaism developed extensive ethical teaching based on such lists.
Questions for Reflection
- Which of the seven abominations are you most prone to commit, even in subtle forms?
- How does knowing what God hates shape your understanding of holiness and moral boundaries?
Analysis & Commentary
This verse introduces the famous list of seven things the LORD hates (vv.16-19). 'These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him' uses numerical escalation (six...seven) for emphasis—a common Hebrew poetic device. The seven items that follow (proud look, lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, heart devising wicked plans, feet swift to evil, false witness, sower of discord) reveal God's moral character. What God hates reveals what He is—truthful, just, peaceable. The strong term 'abomination' denotes moral revulsion and covenant violation. This list focuses particularly on sins of speech and interpersonal harm, revealing God's concern for community integrity and truthfulness.