These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:

PROVERBS 6:16KJV
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Proverbs 6:16 (KJV)

What does Proverbs 6:16 mean?

Proverbs 6:16 states that there are six things the LORD hates, and even seven that are especially detestable to Him. The verse introduces a list of behaviors or attitudes that are deeply offensive to God, emphasizing their seriousness.

In the book of Proverbs, this statement comes from a wise teacher (traditionally Solomon) addressing his audience, likely young people seeking wisdom. The verse uses a poetic way of counting (“six… yea, seven”) to draw attention and highlight the importance of what follows. This sets up a list of specific actions in the next verses that God finds not just wrong, but utterly unacceptable.

The Hebrew behind Proverbs 6:16

  • LORD (יְהוָה, Yahweh): This is the personal name for God in the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing that these are not just general moral guidelines but things that the covenant God of Israel specifically rejects.
  • hate (שָׂנֵא, sane): This word means to have a strong aversion or intense dislike. The verse is not just about mild disapproval; it signals a deep, active rejection of these behaviors.
  • abomination (תוֹעֵבָה, toʿevah): This term refers to something utterly repugnant or detestable, often used for things that are morally or ritually offensive in the strongest sense. The verse highlights that the following actions are not just disliked but are considered revolting by God.

Why Proverbs 6:16 matters

  • The verse clarifies that not all wrong actions are viewed equally; some are singled out as especially offensive to God, which prepares the reader to pay close attention to the following list.
  • The poetic structure (“six… yea, seven”) is a Hebrew way of emphasizing and drawing focus, showing that the list is both complete and weighty.
  • Understanding the strong language (“hate” and “abomination”) helps readers see the seriousness with which God views certain behaviors, setting a tone of warning and gravity for the verses that follow.

Where else these words appear

“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.

“hate” 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?