Proverbs 8:13
The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
Original Language Analysis
יִֽרְאַ֣ת
The fear
H3374
יִֽרְאַ֣ת
The fear
Strong's:
H3374
Word #:
1 of 11
fear (also used as infinitive); morally, reverence
יְהוָה֮
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֮
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 11
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְדֶ֣רֶךְ
way
H1870
וְדֶ֣רֶךְ
way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
7 of 11
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
וּפִ֨י
mouth
H6310
וּפִ֨י
mouth
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
9 of 11
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
Cross References
1 Samuel 2:3Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogancy come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.Psalms 97:10Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.Proverbs 16:6By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.Proverbs 4:24Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.1 Thessalonians 5:22Abstain from all appearance of evil.1 Peter 5:5Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.Psalms 119:128Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.Proverbs 6:12A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth.Proverbs 16:18Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.Amos 5:15Hate the evil, and love the good, and establish judgment in the gate: it may be that the LORD God of hosts will be gracious unto the remnant of Joseph.
Historical Context
The prophets consistently condemned Israel's tolerance of evil while maintaining outward worship. Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, and Jeremiah all emphasized that true fear of Yahweh must manifest in ethical living and hatred of injustice. This proverb anticipates that prophetic message, establishing that authentic worship includes moral transformation.
Questions for Reflection
- Do you genuinely hate the sins listed here (pride, arrogance, evil, perverse speech), or do you tolerate them in yourself?
- How does growing in the fear of the LORD increase your sensitivity to and hatred of sin?
Analysis & Commentary
Wisdom continues speaking: 'The fear of the LORD is to hate evil.' This verse defines fearing God not as terror but as moral alignment with His character—hating what He hates. The list that follows specifies: 'pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.' Pride and arrogancy represent self-exaltation; the 'evil way' is the path of wickedness; 'froward mouth' refers to perverse, twisted speech. True fear of God produces moral revulsion toward sin, especially the pride that elevates self above God. This verse links theology (fearing God) with ethics (hating evil), showing that right worship produces right living.