These six [things] doth Jehovah hate, yea, seven are an abomination unto him
Proverbs 6:16 opens a short list with an odd count: six things God hates, then seven. Why count this way, and what is that hatred aimed at?
Where the list sits in the chapter
The list follows a portrait of a troublemaker in verses 12–15. One commentator notes how the evils are presented differently from there on.
Laziness is unworthy, and it is bad and unwise to be idle. It is far worse to be active in evil, for this works endless harm to others. The Holy Spirit first draws a portrait of the dangerous man in verses 12 to 15. Then, in verses 16 to 19, He presents the evils on their own, apart from the closing one — and they are strongly hateful to Jehovah.
Six, then seven
The rising count is not a slip. It draws the eye forward, and it also signals that the list is a sample rather than a complete inventory.
Though this is not a complete list of all the things the Lord hates, it is clear that many other evils grow out of these, and if so, then of course the Lord hates them too. It mentions six things first, then adds a seventh, as though the seventh is an afterthought, or is meant to draw special attention. People may think a proud look is a small thing, but even this is an abomination to the Lord (v. 17). "A lying tongue" nearly always points to hypocrisy — a wish to misrepresent the facts, usually for personal gain. This is so common that people think lightly of it, but God does not!
Where God's hatred falls
This could sound like God picking out people to loathe. One writer explains the direction of that hatred.
"A false witness who breathes out lies" can only expect God's hatred (v. 19). God does not single out the individual to hate him. But God's hatred of falsehood is absolute. So anyone who chooses falsehood is placing himself on the side of falsehood, and comes under that same dreadful hatred.
The reverse image of Christ
One writer sets the items of the list against the life of Jesus, and each one is His exact opposite.
Haughty eyes come first, or a proud look. What a contrast with Him who made heaven and earth and everything in them, when He was willing to become man here below! He was the dependent and obedient man, gentle and humble in heart. He always looked up and did only what pleased His Father. He was full of compassion toward suffering people, and ready to forgive the sinful. "A lying tongue" comes next. Jesus was not only true, He was the truth; He alone. Far from Him were "hands that shed innocent blood," since He was Himself the holy sufferer to the very end. But in man there may be something worse still: "a heart that devises wicked plans," in hateful and unmistakable likeness to the evil one. What could be more opposed to Jehovah and His Anointed?
The seventh: sowing discord
The seventh item is sowing discord. One writer weighs it against what it cost to bring believers together.
Divisions among the children of God are not of God, but are of the flesh and the devil, and they please a scoffing world very well. The one who "sows discord among brothers" is one of the seven abominations in God's sight; He hates him (Prov. 6:19), and no wonder, since Jesus died to make them one and to bring them into harmony with God.
It usually starts in a very ordinary way:
There are various ways of sowing discord, and it often begins with talebearing. That is far worse than people think. A story can be stretched so badly that the damage will likely never be undone. Let us be careful not to put anyone in a bad light without need. Of course, if someone is clearly an enemy of God, we may need to warn others of his evil character. But that is different from sowing discord among brothers.
Sharing God's hatred
God expects His people to share that hatred. One writer admits we find this hard.
It is very difficult for us as Christians to hate, and to hate in a righteous, spiritual way... The Lord Jesus hated things because they stood against His God, and we must have those features too. God expects His people to hate them, to root them out of our own lives first, and to allow no room for them in others.
Summary
- Sample, not survey. The rising count from six to seven shows the list is not complete. Other evils grow out of these, and God hates them too.
- Small sins, named. A proud look and a lying tongue head the list — things people treat lightly, and God does not.
- Sides, not targets. God's hatred of falsehood is absolute. Whoever chooses falsehood steps onto its side and comes under that hatred.
- Christ, the reverse image. Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood — each is the exact opposite of Jesus.
- Discord, the climax. The list keeps the seventh for last. Dividing God's children undoes what Jesus died to make one, and it starts with talebearing.