The Meaning of Proverbs 10:18 Explained

Proverbs 10:18

KJV: He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.

YLT: Whoso is covering hatred with lying lips, And whoso is bringing out an evil report is a fool.

Darby: He that covereth hatred hath lying lips, and he that sendeth forth a slander is a fool.

ASV: He that hideth hatred is of lying lips; And he that uttereth a slander is a fool.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

He that hideth  hatred  [with] lying  lips,  and he that uttereth  a slander,  [is] a fool. 

What does Proverbs 10:18 Mean?

Context Summary

Proverbs 10:17-32 - The Blessing Of The Lord Maketh Rich
Let us specially avoid talking too much. Silence is golden. See Proverbs 10:19. Yet the tongue of the just is as choice silver and the lips of the righteous feed many, Proverbs 10:20-21. When we speak, let us say something and let the people to whom we speak feel that their heart is lighter and that the heavenly horizons are nearer and clearer. Whatever you do, beware of uttering slander, Proverbs 10:18. You know, by your own experience, what is acceptable; see to it that your mouth brings forth wisdom and grace, Proverbs 10:31-32.
But this portion of Scripture deals, not only with the speech of the good man, but with his stability. The blessing of God is upon him, enriching him in all manner of ways; and there is no alloy in this gold, no bitterness in God's love, Proverbs 10:22. The desire of the righteous is granted, because it is begotten of the divine Spirit. He is built on the Everlasting Rock, Proverbs 10:25; Proverbs 10:30. His hope is gladness, Proverbs 10:28. As he walks in God's way, he gathers strength, Proverbs 10:29. Though he fall he is not utterly cast down; for God succors him with His saving strength, Psalms 37:24. [source]

Chapter Summary: Proverbs 10

1  Proverbs of Solomon: observations of moral virtues, and their contrary vices

What do the individual words in Proverbs 10:18 mean?

Whoever hides hatred [has] lips lying and whoever spreads slander is a fool
מְכַסֶּ֣ה שִׂ֭נְאָה שִׂפְתֵי־ שָׁ֑קֶר וּמוֹצִ֥א דִ֝בָּ֗ה ה֣וּא כְסִֽיל

מְכַסֶּ֣ה  Whoever  hides 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Participle, masculine singular
Root: כָּסָה  
Sense: to cover, conceal, hide.
שִׂ֭נְאָה  hatred 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: שִׂנְאָה  
Sense: hating, hatred, hate.
שִׂפְתֵי־  [has]  lips 
Parse: Noun, fdc
Root: שָׂפָה  
Sense: lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding.
שָׁ֑קֶר  lying 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: שֶׁקֶר  
Sense: lie, deception, disappointment, falsehood.
וּמוֹצִ֥א  and  whoever  spreads 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Hifil, Participle, masculine singular
Root: יׄוצֵאת 
Sense: to go out, come out, exit, go forth.
דִ֝בָּ֗ה  slander 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: דִּבָּה  
Sense: whispering, defamation, evil report.
כְסִֽיל  a  fool 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: כְּסִיל  
Sense: fool, stupid fellow, dullard, simpleton, arrogant one.