Proverbs 29:27

KJV

¶ An unjust man [is] an abomination to the just: and [he that is] upright in the way [is] abomination to the wicked.

KJV (with Strong's)

An unjust {H5766} man {H376} is an abomination {H8441} to the just {H6662}: and he that is upright {H3477} in the way {H1870} is abomination {H8441} to the wicked {H7563}.

Complete Jewish Bible

An unjust person is an abomination to the righteous, but he who lives uprightly is an abomination to the wicked.

Berean Standard Bible

An unjust man is detestable to the righteous, and one whose way is upright is detestable to the wicked.

American Standard Version

An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous; And he that is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 29:27 powerfully articulates the inherent and irreconcilable moral chasm between the righteous and the wicked. It declares that those who embody injustice are utterly abhorrent to the just, and conversely, those who walk in integrity are equally detestable to the wicked. This proverb underscores a fundamental spiritual polarization, revealing that the very nature of righteousness and unrighteousness creates an unavoidable and mutual repulsion, emphasizing that true moral neutrality is impossible.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Proverbs 29:27 concludes a chapter that extensively explores the themes of righteous and wicked leadership, the consequences of justice and injustice, and the impact of these on society. The verses immediately preceding it discuss the importance of a righteous ruler ([Proverbs 29:14](/proverbs/29-14 "Proverbs 29:14 - A King Who Judges the Poor with Truth")) and the societal decay that results from widespread wickedness ([Proverbs 29:16](/proverbs/29-16 "Proverbs 29:16 - When the Wicked Increase, Transgression Increases")). This final verse of the chapter serves as a stark summary statement, encapsulating the deep-seated antagonism between these two opposing forces that has been a recurring motif throughout the entire book of Proverbs. It acts as a concluding thought, reinforcing the absolute incompatibility of the paths of wisdom and folly, righteousness and wickedness, which are central to the book's didactic purpose.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, the concept of justice (`mishpat`) and righteousness (`tsedeq`) was deeply intertwined with the covenant relationship with Yahweh. God Himself is portrayed as perfectly just and righteous, and His people were called to reflect His character in their communal and individual lives ([Deuteronomy 10:18](/deuteronomy/10-18 "Deuteronomy 10:18 - God's Justice for the Oppressed")). Wickedness (`rasha'`), on the other hand, represented a deviation from God's revealed will and a rejection of His moral order. The societal fabric was understood to be directly impacted by the moral choices of its inhabitants and leaders. A society where "abominations" (`to'ebah`) were common was seen as defiled and inviting divine judgment. This proverb reflects a worldview where moral categories were not fluid but distinct, and where the clash between good and evil was a palpable reality, influencing social harmony, legal proceedings, and personal relationships.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes in Proverbs. Firstly, it reinforces the theme of **Moral Polarization**, asserting an inherent and unbridgeable divide between the righteous and the wicked, where their very existence is offensive to the other. This is not merely disagreement but a fundamental spiritual and ethical repulsion. Secondly, it highlights the **Consequences of Character**, demonstrating that one's moral orientation inevitably dictates their relationships and perceptions, leading to either acceptance or abhorrence from others based on their own moral compass. This theme is echoed throughout Proverbs, such as in the contrast between the wise and the foolish ([Proverbs 1:7](/proverbs/1-7 "Proverbs 1:7 - The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Knowledge")). Lastly, it speaks to the **Divine Standard of Justice**, implying that the "abomination" felt by the just towards the unjust mirrors God's own detestation of wickedness, and conversely, the wicked's revulsion towards uprightness is a manifestation of their rebellion against God's moral order, as seen in passages like [Psalm 1:6](/psalms/1-6 "Psalm 1:6 - The Lord Knows the Way of the Righteous").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **unjust (Hebrew, _ʻevel'_):** This word signifies moral evil, iniquity, perverseness, unrighteousness, or wickedness. It describes a person whose character and actions are fundamentally contrary to what is right and equitable, often implying a deliberate deviation from moral standards. An "unjust man" is one who acts with perversity and unrighteousness, demonstrating a lack of integrity and fairness.
* **abomination (Hebrew, _tôwʻêbah'_):** This term denotes something that is morally disgusting, utterly repulsive, or an abhorrence. It often carries the connotation of something offensive to God, particularly in the context of idolatry or practices forbidden by the Law. Here, it describes the intense revulsion felt by one party towards the other, indicating a profound incompatibility and moral offense.
* **upright (Hebrew, _yâshâr'_):** Meaning straight, just, righteous, or honest. It describes a person whose character and conduct are morally sound, aligned with truth and integrity. To be "upright in the way" means to walk a path of rectitude, honesty, and moral consistency, living in accordance with divine standards.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"An unjust man is an abomination to the just:"** This clause establishes the first part of the antithetical parallelism. It states that an individual characterized by injustice and moral perversity (the "unjust man") is utterly detestable and repulsive (an "abomination") to someone who is righteous and upright (the "just"). This is not merely a difference of opinion but a deep-seated moral revulsion, where the very nature of injustice offends the core being of one who values righteousness.
* **"and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked."** This second clause completes the parallelism, presenting the converse truth. It declares that an individual who walks a path of integrity and moral rectitude (one who is "upright in the way") is equally detestable and repulsive (an "abomination") to someone who is morally wrong and actively bad (the "wicked"). For the wicked, the presence of uprightness serves as a living rebuke, exposing their own sin and therefore becoming an object of their intense dislike and opposition.

#### Literary Devices
Proverbs 29:27 masterfully employs **Antithetical Parallelism**, a hallmark of Hebrew wisdom literature. This device presents two contrasting statements that highlight opposing ideas, creating a sharp distinction between them. Here, the verse juxtaposes the "unjust man" and the "just" with the "upright in the way" and the "wicked," using the strong term "abomination" to describe the mutual repulsion. This parallelism emphasizes the stark, irreconcilable nature of righteousness and wickedness. The use of **Hyperbole** in the term "abomination" (Hebrew: *tôwʻêbah*) intensifies the emotional and moral weight of the statement, conveying not just disagreement or dislike, but an extreme, visceral revulsion. This strong language underscores the profound incompatibility and inherent conflict between these two moral orientations, suggesting that their very existence is offensive to the other.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This proverb highlights a profound theological truth: the inherent opposition between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness. God Himself is perfectly righteous and just, and therefore, wickedness is an "abomination" to Him ([Proverbs 15:8](/proverbs/15-8 "Proverbs 15:8 - The Sacrifice of the Wicked is an Abomination to the Lord")). Similarly, those who align themselves with God's character will naturally find injustice repugnant. Conversely, the wicked, who are alienated from God and His truth, find the light of righteousness offensive because it exposes their deeds ([John 3:20](/john/3-20 "John 3:20 - Everyone Who Does Evil Hates the Light")). This mutual abhorrence is not merely a social phenomenon but a spiritual reality, reflecting the fundamental incompatibility of God's holy nature with human sin. It underscores that there is no neutral ground in the moral universe; one either walks in light or darkness, and these paths are eternally at odds.

* [Psalm 1:6](/psalms/1-6 "Psalm 1:6 - The Lord Knows the Way of the Righteous")
* [John 3:19-20](/john/3-19 "John 3:19-20 - Men Loved Darkness Rather Than Light")
* [Romans 8:7-8](/romans/8-7 "Romans 8:7-8 - The Mind Set on the Flesh is Hostile to God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 29:27 serves as a vital reminder that choosing a path of righteousness will inevitably lead to conflict with those who embrace wickedness. This truth can be challenging, as it dispels any illusion of universal harmony or easy acceptance. For the believer, it means understanding that living out biblical principles of justice, integrity, and truth will naturally stand in stark contrast to the world's values, and this contrast may provoke animosity. Instead of seeking to dilute our convictions to gain approval, we are called to maintain our "upright way," knowing that our integrity serves as a powerful, albeit sometimes unwelcome, testimony to the truth of God. This proverb encourages us to be discerning in our associations, to stand firm in our moral convictions, and to recognize that the friction we experience with the unrighteous is often a sign that we are indeed walking in the light, reflecting the very character of God, who also abhors injustice.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I feel the tension between righteousness and wickedness most acutely?**
* **How does my "upright way" (or lack thereof) impact my relationships with others, both believers and non-believers?**
* **Am I willing to embrace the potential "abomination" I might become to the wicked by living a life of uncompromising integrity?**

### FAQ
**Why does the proverb say the righteous are an "abomination" to the wicked? Doesn't it seem extreme?**

Answer: The term "abomination" (Hebrew: *tôwʻêbah*) is indeed a strong word, signifying something utterly repulsive or morally disgusting. Its use here highlights the depth of the spiritual and moral chasm between the righteous and the wicked. For the wicked, the presence of an "upright" person is not merely disagreeable; it is a living rebuke. Righteousness, by its very nature, exposes the darkness and sin of the wicked, making their deeds manifest ([John 3:20](/john/3-20 "John 3:20 - Why Those Who Do Evil Hate the Light")). This exposure is deeply uncomfortable and threatening to their chosen way of life, leading to a profound sense of revulsion and often hostility. It's an extreme term because the spiritual conflict it describes is fundamentally extreme, representing the irreconcilable opposition between God's truth and human rebellion.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 29:27 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He is the perfectly "upright in the way," the embodiment of all righteousness and justice ([Isaiah 11:5](/isaiah/11-5 "Isaiah 11:5 - Righteousness and Faithfulness as His Belt")). His life was a flawless reflection of God's character, and as such, He was the ultimate "abomination" to the wicked. The religious leaders of His day, whose hearts were steeped in injustice and hypocrisy, found His purity and truth utterly repulsive ([John 7:7](/john/7-7 "John 7:7 - The World Hates Me Because I Testify of Its Deeds")). They hated Him precisely because His light exposed their darkness, leading them to crucify the very "just" one ([Acts 3:14](/acts/3-14 "Acts 3:14 - You Denied the Holy and Righteous One")). Yet, through His death and resurrection, Christ also became an "abomination" to the unjust in a redemptive sense, taking upon Himself the sin that is an abomination to God, so that those who believe in Him might be made righteous ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - He Who Knew No Sin Became Sin for Us")). He perfectly fulfilled both sides of the proverb: as the righteous one, He was abhorred by the wicked, and as the one who bore our injustice, He made a way for us to be reconciled to a holy God, transforming us from those who are an abomination into those who are declared just in Him ([Romans 5:1](/romans/5-1 "Romans 5:1 - Justified by Faith, We Have Peace with God")).

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 John 3:13

Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.

John 15:17

These things I command you, that ye love one another.

John 15:19

If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

John 15:23

He that hateth me hateth my Father also.

Psalms 139:21

Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate thee? and am not I grieved with those that rise up against thee?

Proverbs 29:10

¶ The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.

John 7:7

The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.