"When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart"
This is a continuation of the proverb on the one who hates. Let me remind you what we said about the person who hates.
hates
This is the Hebrew word sane which means to hate, to detest, despised. This is the opposite of love. Love seeks to meet needs where hatred wants to destroy and see a person lose. Hatred wants something destructive or subtractive to take place to the object of its hatred. In this instance there are people who really want others to lose, who want some form of destruction to come to another person or group. They will not usually be very open about this emotional desire but instead will cover over their hope with words that don't sound so raw.
The person who hates is a person full of emotional disgust and desire for the other person to lose or somehow be held back.
In this proverb Solomon states that their compliments are not an accurate reflection of their heart. If they are complimenting a person, realize that there is some devious thought going through their brain.
The sad thing about these people is that they stew in the juices of their own hatred and hatch plan after plan that will work against the object of their hatred. Instead of really seeking to get ahead, they measure their level of success against the object of their hatred. This perspective holds back the real direction and energy they should pursue.
Notice the point of Solomon's insight. If this person all of a sudden begins complimenting the object of his hatred, don't believe him. His emotion is too strong.
there are seven abominations in their heart
Some would see the number seven as indicating the completeness of his abominations. This people have a whole lot more evil thoughts in their mind than they ever express.
Realize that if you or anyone else gives into their emotions enough to totally despise or be disgusted by another person, then those same emotions will creatively conjure all kinds of plans that would harm the other person. We must make sure that we do not allow our emotions to take over in our assessment of a person.
Until tomorrow,
Gil Stieglitz