Proverbs 26:23 Meaning and Explanation
“Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Beautiful speech masking wickedness is like cheap pottery glazed to look like silver—a deceptive appearance.
The Context of Proverbs 26:23
The chapter explores how speech can deceive—the talebearer who spreads falsehood, and now the eloquent deceiver hiding wickedness.
What Does Proverbs 26:23 Mean?
A potsherd—crude, broken earthenware—is covered with silver dross, a coating of waste metal that only mimics the appearance of real silver. Similarly, burning lips (eloquent, passionate speech) covering a wicked heart create an illusion. The speaker seems worthy, but beneath the surface is corruption and baseness.
The disguise is convincing until examined closely. Like the silver-coated pot, such a person presents well to casual view but lacks real substance. The contrast between the beauty of the words and the ugliness of the intentions makes the deception all the more dangerous.
Proverbs 26:23 in the Original Language
keselim (כְּסָלִים), 'dross'—the impure coating or waste, standing in sharp contrast to genuine silver.
Frequently Asked Questions About Proverbs 26:23
What does Proverbs 26:23 mean?
Beautiful speech masking wickedness is like cheap pottery glazed to look like silver—a deceptive appearance.
What is the context of Proverbs 26:23?
The chapter explores how speech can deceive—the talebearer who spreads falsehood, and now the eloquent deceiver hiding wickedness.