He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;

PROVERBS 26:24KJV
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Proverbs 26:24 (KJV)

What does Proverbs 26:24 mean?

Proverbs 26:24 warns that someone who harbors hatred will often hide it by speaking deceptively, while secretly storing up trickery or falsehood inside themselves. The verse highlights the danger of trusting smooth words when a person’s true intentions are hidden.

In the book of Proverbs, these sayings are presented as wisdom from Solomon to his audience, often young people or anyone seeking practical guidance. This verse describes a situation where a person’s outward speech does not match their inward feelings, emphasizing that words can be used to cover up deep-seated hostility or plans to deceive.

The Hebrew behind Proverbs 26:24

  • "hateth" (שָׂנֵא, śānēʾ): This word means to hate or have deep hostility. The verse assumes the person’s hatred is not obvious to others.
  • "dissembleth" (נָכַר, nākar): This word often means to act as a stranger or to disguise oneself. Here, it suggests the person is deliberately hiding their true feelings with their words.
  • "deceit" (מִרְמָה, mirmāh): This word refers to trickery, fraud, or treachery. The verse points out that the person is not just hiding feelings but actively storing up plans to mislead.
  • "within" (קֶרֶב, qerev): This word means “inward part” or “within.” The verse stresses that the deceit is not just in words but is deeply rooted inside the person.

Why Proverbs 26:24 matters

  • Proverbs 26:24 helps readers recognize that not all pleasant or polite speech is trustworthy, especially when someone’s actions or reputation suggest otherwise.
  • The verse fits into a larger section warning about the dangers of deceitful people, showing that wisdom involves looking beyond appearances.
  • This proverb cautions against naivety, urging careful discernment of character rather than judging only by what is said.

Where else these words appear

“deceit” Hebrew H4820 · used in 38 verses

  • Genesis 27:35 And he said, Thy brother came with subtilty, and hath taken away thy blessing.
  • Psalms 38:12 They also that seek after my life lay snares for me: and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long.
  • Proverbs 14:25 A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.

“dissembleth” Hebrew H5234 · used in 47 verses

  • Genesis 27:23 And he discerned him not, because his hands were hairy, as his brother Esau's hands: so he blessed him.
  • Ruth 2:19 And her mother in law said unto her, Where hast thou gleaned to day? and where wroughtest thou? blessed be he that did take knowledge of thee. And she shewed her mother in law with whom she had wrought, and said, The man's name with whom I wrought to day is Boaz.
  • Job 21:29 Have ye not asked them that go by the way? and do ye not know their tokens,

“up” Hebrew H7896 · used in 80 verses

  • Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
  • Job 10:20 Are not my days few? cease then, and let me alone, that I may take comfort a little,
  • Psalms 88:6 Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deeps.

“hateth” Hebrew H8130 · used in 139 verses

  • Genesis 24:60 And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them.
  • Esther 9:1 Now in the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar, on the thirteenth day of the same, when the king's commandment and his decree drew near to be put in execution, in the day that the enemies of the Jews hoped to have power over them,(though it was turned to the contrary, that the Jews had rule over them that hated them;)
  • Proverbs 1:22 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?