Proverbs 8:13

The feare of the Lord is to hate euill: pride and arrogancie, and the euill way, and the froward mouth doe I hate. Proverbs 8:13 (KJV)

The fear of the LORD

is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate. Proverbs 8:13 (KJV)

“The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.” Understanding the fear of the LORD means reverence, awe, and respect for God. It is not a fear of punishment but a deep recognition of His authority, holiness, and wisdom. The verse connects this reverent fear with a genuine aversion and disdain for anything that opposes God’s righteous nature.

Hatred of evil is the hallmark of true fear. Pride, arrogance, and presumption are singled out as specific evils the LORD hates. Pride is an attitude of self‑exaltation and a sense of superiority; arrogance and presumption refer to insolence and a lack of humility. The evil way, also described as the way of wickedness, denotes any path or lifestyle contrary to God’s commands, encompassing sinful thoughts, actions, and rebellious attitudes.

The froward mouth, also called a perverse mouth, represents twisted, deceitful, or corrupt speech. It includes lying, slander, gossip, and any communication that opposes truth and integrity. Guarding our speech is therefore essential, for words have destructive power and should be used to build up, encourage, and speak the truth in love.

Key lessons from Proverbs 8:13 include:

• Genuine reverence for God involves hating evil. Our love for God should translate into a sincere detestation of anything contrary to His character and will.
• Pride, arrogance, and presumption are an abomination to God. As James 4:6 reminds us, God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble; cultivating humility and recognizing our dependence on Him is essential.
• Walking in God’s ways means choosing the path of righteousness and obedience to His Word, continually examining ourselves and striving to follow His commands.
• Guarding our speech means being mindful of the impact of our words, using them to honor God and reflect His righteousness.

In summary, Proverbs 8:13 teaches that the fear of the LORD is hatred of evil—specifically pride, arrogance, presumption, the evil way (the way of wickedness), and a froward or perverse mouth. This passage calls believers to cultivate reverence for God, walk in His ways, and guard their speech, pursuing a life that honors Him and reflects His righteousness.