Proverbs 15:9

KJV

¶ The way of the wicked [is] an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

KJV (with Strong's)

The way {H1870} of the wicked {H7563} is an abomination {H8441} unto the LORD {H3068}: but he loveth {H157} him that followeth {H7291} after righteousness {H6666}.

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI detests the way of the wicked but loves anyone who pursues righteousness.

Berean Standard Bible

The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but He loves those who pursue righteousness.

American Standard Version

The way of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah; But he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 15:9 presents a profound moral and theological contrast, characteristic of biblical wisdom literature, by delineating God's distinct disposition towards human conduct. It unequivocally declares that the entire lifestyle and chosen path of those who live in rebellion against God's standards are an utter abomination to the LORD, while conversely, He extends His deep affection and favor to those who earnestly and actively pursue a life aligned with His righteousness. This proverb underscores the Lord's holy character, His unwavering moral standards, and the direct correlation between human behavior and divine approval or disapproval.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Proverbs 15:9 is situated within a larger collection of wisdom sayings that frequently employ **antithetical parallelism**, a hallmark of Hebrew poetry. This literary device juxtaposes two contrasting ideas, often to highlight a moral truth or a consequence of different choices. In this chapter, and throughout the book of Proverbs, the "way of the wicked" is consistently set against the "way of the righteous," illustrating the divergent paths of life and their respective outcomes. Chapter 15, in particular, focuses on the power of words, the importance of humility, and the ultimate source of wisdom, all of which contribute to or detract from one's "way." For instance, [Proverbs 15:8](/proverbs/15-8 "Proverbs 15:8 - The Sacrifice of the Wicked") speaks of the Lord abhorring the sacrifice of the wicked but delighting in the prayer of the upright, setting a direct precedent for the divine disposition described in verse 9. The book's overarching aim is to impart practical wisdom for living a life that honors God and leads to flourishing, making such moral distinctions central to its message.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Proverbs emerged from the wisdom tradition of ancient Israel, which shared some commonalities with broader ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature but was distinctively rooted in the covenant relationship between Yahweh and His people. Unlike some surrounding cultures that might attribute prosperity to appeasing capricious deities, Israelite wisdom firmly linked well-being and divine favor to adherence to God's moral law and righteous living. The "way" (Hebrew: _derek_) was a pervasive concept, signifying not just a physical path but one's entire conduct, lifestyle, and moral trajectory. In a society where community and reputation were paramount, the pursuit of righteousness (Hebrew: _tsedâqâh_) was understood as conformity to God's revealed will, encompassing justice, ethical integrity, and right relationships with both God and neighbor. The concept of "abomination" (Hebrew: _tôwʻêbah_) was deeply ingrained in Israelite thought, often referring to practices that violated the covenant, such as idolatry, child sacrifice, or sexual perversions, which were seen as utterly repugnant to God's holy nature.
* **Key Themes:** Proverbs 15:9 powerfully articulates several key themes found throughout the wisdom literature and the broader Old Testament. Firstly, it highlights **God's moral character and active engagement** in human affairs. The Lord is not a distant, indifferent deity but one who holds strong moral preferences, loving righteousness and abhorring wickedness. This divine disposition is foundational to understanding God's justice and holiness, themes echoed in passages like [Psalm 11:5](/psalms/11-5 "Psalm 11:5 - God's Hatred of Wickedness"). Secondly, the verse emphasizes the **holistic nature of one's life path**. The "way" (derek) signifies a person's entire lifestyle, choices, and moral direction, not merely isolated actions. This concept is central to the wisdom tradition, which consistently contrasts the "way of the righteous" with the "way of the wicked" (e.g., [Psalm 1](/psalms/1 "Psalm 1 - The Way of the Righteous and the Wicked")). Thirdly, it underscores the **importance of active pursuit of righteousness**. The Hebrew verb for "followeth after" implies an earnest, persistent, and intentional striving for moral uprightness, suggesting that righteousness is not a passive state but a dynamic endeavor. This active pursuit is what garners God's favor, as seen in [Deuteronomy 6:18](/deuteronomy/6-18 "Deuteronomy 6:18 - Doing What is Right and Good").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Way (Hebrew, _derek'_):** This term (H1870) refers to a road or path, but figuratively, it denotes a course of life, a mode of action, or one's entire conduct and moral trajectory. In Proverbs, "the way" is a dominant metaphor for one's chosen lifestyle, encompassing one's character, decisions, and ultimate destiny. The "way of the wicked" is therefore not just a collection of bad deeds, but a life orientation that stands in opposition to God's will.
* **Abomination (Hebrew, _tôwʻêbah'_):** This strong term (H8441) signifies something utterly disgusting or abhorrent, especially in a moral sense. It denotes an act or practice that is repugnant to God's holy nature and violates His covenant standards. It is often used for idolatry, sexual perversions, or unjust dealings, indicating a deep moral revulsion on God's part, not merely a dislike.
* **Loveth (Hebrew, _ʼâhab'_):** This primitive root (H157) means to have affection for, to love. When applied to God, it signifies His deep, active, and preferential affection for those who align with His character. In contrast to the "abomination" of the wicked, God's love for the righteous is a profound and positive disposition.
* **Followeth (Hebrew, _râdaph'_):** This verb (H7291) primarily means "to run after" or "to chase," often with hostile intent, but here it is used figuratively to mean "to pursue" or "to strive after." It implies an earnest, active, and persistent effort.
* **Righteousness (Hebrew, _tsᵉdâqâh'_):** This term (H6666) refers to rightness, rectitude, justice, or virtue. It denotes conformity to God's moral and ethical standards, encompassing integrity, justice in actions, and moral uprightness. When paired with "followeth," it describes an active and intentional pursuit of living in accordance with God's just and holy character.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD:"** This clause establishes a clear and stark judgment. "The way of the wicked" refers to the entire life orientation, choices, and character of those who live in rebellion against God's will. This comprehensive lifestyle, rather than isolated acts, is declared to be a "tôwʻêbah"—something utterly detestable and morally repugnant to the holy character of the LORD (Yahweh). It underscores God's absolute moral standard and His active revulsion towards sin and unrighteousness.
* **"but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness."** This clause presents a powerful antithesis, highlighting God's contrasting disposition. The conjunction "but" signals a sharp turn. While God abhors the wicked's path, He actively "loveth" (ʼâhab) those who "follow after righteousness." This "following after" (râdaph) implies an earnest, persistent, and intentional pursuit of _tsedâqâh_—a life characterized by moral integrity, justice, and conformity to God's revealed will. God's love here is not indiscriminate but is specifically directed towards those whose lives are oriented towards Him and His standards.

#### Literary Devices
Proverbs 15:9 is a quintessential example of **Antithetical Parallelism**, a dominant feature of Hebrew wisdom literature. This device presents two contrasting lines or ideas, where the second line provides a direct contrast to the first, often highlighting the consequences of different choices or moral paths. Here, "the way of the wicked" is directly contrasted with "him that followeth after righteousness," and God's "abomination" is set against His "love." This stark opposition emphasizes the absolute moral divide and God's clear discernment. Additionally, the phrase "the way of the wicked" employs **Metaphor**, where "way" (derek) stands for a person's entire lifestyle, moral trajectory, and character, rather than a literal road. This metaphor effectively conveys the comprehensive nature of one's life choices.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Proverbs 15:9 profoundly reveals God's character as both holy and loving. His abhorrence of wickedness is not arbitrary but flows from His intrinsic holiness and justice, which cannot tolerate anything that defiles or distorts His good creation and moral order. Simultaneously, His love for those who pursue righteousness demonstrates His desire for humanity to align with His character, finding delight in those who earnestly strive for what is good, true, and just. This verse affirms that God is not indifferent to human conduct; rather, He actively responds to the moral orientation of individuals, offering favor and affection to those who seek to live righteously. It underscores the biblical truth that true wisdom involves discerning God's moral standards and diligently pursuing them, knowing that such a life garners divine approval and blessing.

* [Psalm 11:5](/psalms/11-5 "Psalm 11:5 - The Lord tests the righteous, but the wicked and the one who loves violence his soul hates.")
* [Psalm 37:23](/psalms/37-23 "Psalm 37:23 - The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.")
* [Amos 5:24](/amos/5-24 "Amos 5:24 - But let judgment run down as waters, and righteousness as a mighty stream.")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 15:9 serves as a powerful mirror, inviting us to critically examine the "way" we are walking. It challenges us to move beyond superficial actions and consider the overall trajectory and orientation of our lives. Are our deepest desires, our daily choices, and our ultimate aims aligned with God's righteous standards, or are we, perhaps subtly, walking a path that is an "abomination" to Him? This proverb calls us to an active and intentional pursuit of righteousness, recognizing that it's not enough to merely avoid evil; we are called to earnestly chase after what is good, true, and holy. This pursuit involves cultivating a heart that loves what God loves and hates what God hates, seeking justice, showing mercy, and walking humbly with Him. It reminds us that God's love is not a passive sentiment but a dynamic response to a life devoted to Him, offering profound encouragement that our diligent efforts to live righteously are seen, valued, and loved by the Almighty.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does "the way of the wicked" look like in contemporary society, and how might I unknowingly participate in aspects of it?**
* **In what specific areas of my life can I more actively and earnestly "follow after righteousness"?**
* **How does understanding God's active love for those who pursue righteousness motivate my daily choices and long-term goals?**
* **If God abhors the "way of the wicked," what implications does this have for how I engage with societal injustices or personal temptations?**

### FAQ

**What does "the way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD" truly mean?**

Answer: This phrase means that the entire lifestyle, moral orientation, and chosen path of those who disregard God's commands and live in rebellion against His will are utterly detestable and morally repugnant to God. The Hebrew word for "abomination" (_tôwʻêbah_) is very strong, indicating something that deeply offends God's holy character, often associated with practices like idolatry, injustice, or sexual perversion that violate His covenant. It's not just about isolated bad deeds, but the overall direction and character of one's life that God finds abhorrent. This highlights God's unwavering moral standards and His active disapproval of sin, as seen in passages like [Proverbs 6:16-19](/proverbs/6-16 "Proverbs 6:16-19 - The Seven Things the Lord Hates").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 15:9 finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies the "him that followeth after righteousness" and simultaneously addresses the "abomination" of the wicked's way. While humanity, by nature, walks a "way" that is an abomination to God due to sin ([Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "Romans 3:23 - All have sinned")), Jesus Christ lived a life of perfect righteousness, never deviating from the Father's will. He is the very embodiment of the "way" that God loves, declaring Himself to be "the way, the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, Christ took upon Himself the "abomination" of our sin, bearing the divine wrath that our wicked ways deserved ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ became sin for us")). Now, by grace through faith in Him, believers are not only forgiven but are also imputed with His perfect righteousness ([Philippians 3:9](/philippians/3-9 "Philippians 3:9 - Righteousness through Faith in Christ")), enabling them to become those whom God "loveth" because they are "in Christ." Furthermore, the Holy Spirit empowers believers to genuinely "follow after righteousness" in their daily lives, transforming their "way" to increasingly reflect Christ's character, thus fulfilling the active pursuit of righteousness that God delights in ([Titus 2:11-14](/titus/2-11 "Titus 2:11-14 - Grace Teaches Us to Live Righteously")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Timothy 6:11

But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

Proverbs 21:21

¶ He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.

Matthew 7:13

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide [is] the gate, and broad [is] the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:

Jeremiah 44:4

Howbeit I sent unto you all my servants the prophets, rising early and sending [them], saying, Oh, do not this abominable thing that I hate.

Hosea 6:3

Then shall we know, [if] we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter [and] former rain unto the earth.

Habakkuk 1:13

[Thou art] of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, [and] holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth [the man that is] more righteous than he?

Proverbs 21:8

¶ The way of man [is] froward and strange: but [as for] the pure, his work [is] right.