Proverbs 11:20

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Proverbs 11:20 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “They that are perverse in heart are an abomination to Jehovah; But such as are perfect in [their] way are his delight.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

They that are perverse in heart are an abomination to Jehovah; But such as are perfect in [their] way are his delight.
Proverbs 11:20 — American Standard Version

Context — Proverbs 11

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
20They that are perverse in heart are an abomination to Jehovah; But such as are perfect in [their] way are his delight.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“They that are of a froward heart [are] abomination to the Lord, etc.] Such as are men of perverse dispositions and principles; that are contrary to the light of nature, the law of God, and Gospel of Christ; who, like the Jews of old, please not God, and are contrary to all men, to all good men; as antichrist and his followers, these work abomination, and make a lie, and speak lies in hypocrisy; are double hearted men, hypocrites, that say one thing and mean another; and, under the pretence of religion, do the vilest things: such of all men are abominable in the sight of God, and will have their portion in the lake of fire, in the hottest place in hell, as hypocrites will, (<662108>Revelation…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“(Compare Pro 11:5). froward--as in Pro 2:15, opposed to the simplicity and purity of the upright. in their way--or, "conduct."”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“of: Pro 6:14, Pro 6:16-19, Pro 8:13; Psa 18:25, Psa 18:26 upright: Pro 9:7, Pro 15:8, Pro 16:17, Pro 21:29; Psa 11:7, Psa 51:6, Psa 140:13 Proverbs 11:21”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“The following proverbs are especially directed, as connected with this כן, against the contradiction of the external appearance and of the masked internal nature. 20 An abomination to Jahve are the crookedly dishonest of heart, And they who are of honest walk are his delight. We read, Pro 2:15; Pro 8:8, עקּשׁ (the form of the transgressions); but here, where the "crookedness" is transferred to the heart, we require another word, which renders the idea of falseness, the contrary of directness, lying in it, without any mixture of the fundamental conception flexuosus or tortuosus. תּמימי דרך are not only those whose walk is externally without offence and blameless, but, in conformity with the…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification