Proverbs 6:16 begins one of the most powerful and memorable passages in the entire Bible. This verse introduces a list of seven things that God finds detestable—behaviors so serious that the Bible says God hates them. Understanding this list helps us see what really matters to God and gives us clear guidance on how to live a life that pleases Him.
The Verse in Different Translations
Let's look at how different Bible versions translate this important verse:
What Does This Verse Mean?
Proverbs 6:16 is an introduction verse. It sets up the complete list that follows in verses 17-19. Let's understand what makes this verse so important:
"Six things... seven"
You might wonder why it says "six things" and then "seven things." This is a Hebrew writing style called numerical parallelism. It's like saying, "Not only these six things, but actually seven!" The writer is building up to emphasize the complete list. It's a way of making the reader pay close attention to what comes next.
This pattern appears in other places in the Bible too. It's meant to grab your attention and make you think, "What are these things? I need to know!"
"The Lord hates"
The word "hates" is very strong. God is love, and He loves all people. But God hates certain behaviors because they hurt people and destroy relationships. When the Bible says God hates something, it means that behavior goes completely against who God is and what He stands for.
God doesn't hate the people who do these things—He hates the actions themselves because they cause so much harm and pain in the world.
"Detestable" or "Abomination"
The words "detestable" and "abomination" mean something that is disgusting or completely unacceptable. It's not just that God dislikes these things—He finds them totally opposed to His nature and character. These behaviors represent everything God is against.
Understanding the Full Context
To really understand Proverbs 6:16, we need to read the complete list. Here are verses 16-19 together:
The Seven Things God Hates
Let's break down each item on this important list:
1. Haughty Eyes (Pride)
"Haughty eyes" means looking down on other people with pride. It's when someone thinks they're better than everyone else. This attitude shows up in the way people look at others, treat them, or talk about them. Pride is first on the list because it's often the root of the other six problems.
2. A Lying Tongue
God values truth. When we lie, we break trust and hurt relationships. A lying tongue can destroy friendships, ruin reputations, and cause all kinds of pain. Every time we choose to lie instead of telling the truth, we do something God detests.
3. Hands That Shed Innocent Blood
This refers to violence and murder—taking the life of someone who has done nothing wrong. Human life is precious to God. When innocent people are hurt or killed, God sees it as a terrible evil. This includes any form of violence against innocent people.
4. A Heart That Devises Wicked Schemes
This describes someone who sits around planning evil things. It's not an accident or a moment of weakness—it's purposely thinking up ways to hurt others or do wrong. God sees not just our actions but our thoughts and plans, and He hates it when we use our minds to plot wickedness.
5. Feet That Rush Into Evil
Some people can't wait to do wrong. They're eager to participate in evil. Their "feet rush" toward bad things instead of running away from them. This is the opposite of how we should live—we should be quick to do good and slow to do evil.
6. A False Witness Who Pours Out Lies
A false witness is someone who lies about what they saw or heard, especially in court or when someone's reputation is at stake. This is particularly serious because false testimony can destroy an innocent person's life. Justice matters to God, and false witnesses corrupt justice.
7. Someone Who Stirs Up Conflict
The seventh thing God hates is a person who causes problems between other people. This is the troublemaker who spreads gossip, starts fights, or divides communities. God values peace and unity, so people who create conflict work against everything He wants for us.
Look at what all seven have in common—they all hurt other people. Pride hurts others by putting them down. Lies destroy trust. Violence harms bodies and souls. Wicked schemes plot destruction. Rushing into evil shows we don't care about the damage we cause. False witnesses ruin lives. And stirring up conflict tears communities apart.
This list shows us that God cares deeply about how we treat each other. When we hurt others, we do something God detests.
Practical Teaching Points
What can we learn from Proverbs 6:16 and apply to our lives today?
1. God Cares About Our Attitudes and Actions
Notice that the list includes both attitudes (haughty eyes, a heart that devises schemes) and actions (lying, violence, causing conflict). God cares about what's in our hearts and what we do with our hands and feet. We can't just avoid bad actions—we need to avoid bad attitudes too.
2. Our Words Have Power
Two items on the list deal with what we say—a lying tongue and a false witness. God takes our words seriously because words can build up or tear down, heal or hurt. Before you speak, ask yourself: Is this true? Is it helpful? Is it kind?
3. Prevention Is Better Than Cleanup
The list includes "a heart that devises wicked schemes" and "feet that rush into evil." In other words, we need to stop evil thoughts before they become evil actions. Don't even start planning to do wrong. Don't go places or hang out with people who will tempt you to sin.
4. Community Matters to God
The last item—stirring up conflict—shows that God cares about harmony in families, friendships, churches, and communities. Gossip, taking sides, and causing drama all go against God's design for human relationships. Be a peacemaker, not a troublemaker.
5. Pride Leads to Everything Else
Pride is first on the list for a reason. When we think we're better than others, it becomes easier to lie to them, hurt them, plot against them, and cause conflict. Humility—recognizing that we're all equal before God—protects us from all the other items on this list.
Common Questions About This Verse
Why does the Bible use such strong language like "hate" and "detestable"?
God uses strong words because these behaviors are seriously harmful. Imagine a parent watching someone hurt their child—that parent would hate what the person is doing because they love their child. God loves all people, so He hates the actions that destroy and hurt His children. The strong language shows how much these behaviors go against God's loving nature.
Does God hate people who do these things?
No. God hates the sin but loves the sinner. The Bible makes it clear that "God so loved the world" (John 3:16) and that He wants everyone to turn away from sin and come to Him. God sent Jesus to die for people who do all seven of these things. He offers forgiveness to anyone who asks for it.
What if I've done one or more of these things?
We've all done things on this list—whether it's pride, lying, or causing conflict. The good news is that God offers forgiveness. When we admit our sins, turn away from them, and ask God to forgive us, He does. First John 1:9 promises that "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
Are these seven things the only things God hates?
No, but they represent key categories of behavior that displease God. The Bible mentions other things God dislikes, but this list gives us a clear picture of the kinds of attitudes and actions that work against God's character and hurt His creation.
How can I avoid doing these things?
The best way to avoid these behaviors is to fill your life with their opposites. Instead of pride, practice humility. Instead of lying, commit to honesty. Instead of violence, show gentleness. Instead of plotting evil, plan good things. Instead of rushing into sin, run toward righteousness. Instead of lying about others, speak truth. Instead of stirring up conflict, be a peacemaker. When you focus on doing good, there's less room for evil.
References in Culture and Media
The list from Proverbs 6:16-19 has influenced many aspects of culture and storytelling:
The Seven Deadly Sins
While the traditional "seven deadly sins" (pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth) are different from this list, they were inspired by passages like Proverbs 6:16-19. Both lists recognize that certain attitudes and behaviors are particularly destructive to our souls and relationships.
In Literature and Film
Many stories feature characters who exhibit these seven behaviors as villains. The prideful villain who looks down on everyone, the liar who deceives the heroes, the schemer who plots evil behind the scenes—these are common character types because these behaviors are universally recognized as wrong.
The movie "Se7en" (1995) uses the concept of seven deadly sins as its central theme, showing how destructive sin can be. While the movie's list differs from Proverbs 6, it shows how deeply these biblical ideas have shaped our culture's understanding of right and wrong.
In Everyday Language
Phrases like "haughty eyes," "lying tongue," and "stirring up trouble" have become part of our everyday language. When we describe someone as having a "scheming heart" or being a "troublemaker," we're echoing the ideas in this passage, even if we don't realize it.
Related Bible Verses
Here are other verses that connect to the themes in Proverbs 6:16:
How to Apply This Verse Today
Here are practical ways to apply the truth of Proverbs 6:16 to your life:
- Do a self-check: Go through each of the seven items on the list and honestly ask yourself if you struggle with any of them. We all have areas where we're tempted, and identifying them is the first step to change.
- Guard your heart: Since "a heart that devises wicked schemes" is on the list, pay attention to your thoughts. When you catch yourself planning something wrong, stop immediately and ask God to change your thinking.
- Practice humility: Since pride is first on the list, make it a daily habit to recognize your weaknesses, admit when you're wrong, and treat others as equals or better than yourself.
- Commit to honesty: With two items about lying on the list, make truth-telling a non-negotiable part of your character. Even small lies matter. Even "white lies" matter. Commit to being truthful in every situation.
- Be a peacemaker: In your family, school, workplace, or community, look for opportunities to bring peace instead of conflict. Don't gossip. Don't take sides in drama. Help people resolve their differences.
- Think before you act: Since "feet that rush into evil" is on the list, slow down when you're tempted to do something wrong. Give yourself time to think about consequences and make the right choice.
- Use your influence for good: Instead of scheming wickedness or stirring up trouble, use your time and energy to plan good things and encourage unity among people around you.
Conclusion
Proverbs 6:16 introduces us to a powerful list that shows what really matters to God. These seven things—pride, lying, violence, wicked planning, rushing to evil, false testimony, and stirring up conflict—all have something in common. They hurt people and destroy relationships. God hates them because He loves us and wants what's best for us.
But here's the good news: this list isn't meant to discourage us or make us feel hopeless. It's meant to guide us. When we know what God hates, we also know what to avoid. And when we avoid these destructive behaviors, we protect ourselves and the people around us from a lot of pain and trouble.
More than that, this list points us to who God is. He's a God of truth, justice, peace, and humility. He values human life and healthy relationships. He wants us to treat each other with respect and kindness. When we live according to these values—being humble instead of proud, honest instead of deceitful, peaceful instead of divisive—we reflect God's character to the world.
Take time to memorize this list. Let it shape how you think, speak, and act. And remember that God offers forgiveness when we fall short. No matter what you've done in the past, you can start fresh today. Choose to do what God loves instead of what God hates. Choose truth over lies. Choose peace over conflict. Choose humility over pride. Choose life.