He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

PROVERBS 28:9KJV
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Proverbs 28:9 (KJV)

What does Proverbs 28:9 mean?

Proverbs 28:9 warns that if someone deliberately refuses to listen to or obey God's law, then even that person's prayers are considered detestable to God. The verse teaches that God expects people to be open to His instruction, not just to seek Him when they want something.

In the book of Proverbs, these sayings are presented as wisdom from a father to a son or from a teacher to a student, guiding people toward a life that honors God. This verse highlights the close connection between how a person responds to God's commands and how God receives that person's prayers, stressing that ignoring God's guidance cannot be separated from one's relationship with Him.

The Hebrew behind Proverbs 28:9

  • תּוֹרָה (torah, H8451): This word means "law" or "instruction." In Proverbs, "torah" often refers to God's revealed will and guidance, not just legal rules. The verse is about ignoring God's direction for living, not just breaking specific laws.
  • תְּפִלָּה (tefillah, H8605): This is the word for "prayer." The verse uses strong language to say that prayer itself becomes offensive if someone is willfully rejecting God's instruction, emphasizing how seriously God takes obedience.
  • תּוֹעֵבָה (toevah, H8441): This word means "abomination," a term for something deeply offensive or detestable. The verse uses one of the strongest Hebrew words for rejection, showing that God is not neutral about prayers from those who ignore His law.

Why Proverbs 28:9 matters

  • Proverbs 28:9 clarifies that religious acts like prayer are not a substitute for listening to God's instruction; God cares about both obedience and worship.
  • The verse challenges the idea that anyone can approach God on their own terms, regardless of how they live, by stressing that attitude toward God's law affects one's relationship with Him.
  • In the wider context of Proverbs, this verse fits a pattern of connecting wise living with a genuine relationship with God, not just outward religious behavior.

Where else these words appear

“prayer” Hebrew H8605 · used in 70 verses

  • 2 Samuel 7:27 For thou, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house: therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee.
  • Nehemiah 11:17 And Mattaniah the son of Micha, the son of Zabdi, the son of Asaph, was the principal to begin the thanksgiving in prayer: and Bakbukiah the second among his brethren, and Abda the son of Shammua, the son of Galal, the son of Jeduthun.
  • Psalms 102:1 A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed, and poureth out his complaint before the LORD. Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come unto thee.

“abomination” Hebrew H8441 · used in 112 verses

  • Genesis 43:32 And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians.
  • Ezra 9:14 Should we again break thy commandments, and join in affinity with the people of these abominations? wouldest not thou be angry with us till thou hadst consumed us, so that there should be no remnant nor escaping?
  • Ezekiel 7:4 And mine eye shall not spare thee, neither will I have pity: but I will recompense thy ways upon thee, and thine abominations shall be in the midst of thee: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.