Proverbs 16:5 - John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Bible Comments

Every one [that is] proud in heart [is] an abomination to the Lord,.... Though he may dissemble his pride, and not discover it in his looks, by his words and gestures; yet the Lord sees and knows the heart, the naughtiness of it, and the pride that is in it: and only a proud look, but a proud heart, is abominable to him: everyone that is so arrogant as to arraign the decrees of God, and quarrel with him about them, to whom the apostle says, "Nay, but, O man", O proud vain man, "who art thou, that repliest against God?" Romans 9:19; every proud Pharisee, that trusts in himself that he is righteous, and despises others, that justifies himself before men, is an abomination in the sight of God, Luke 18:9; particularly antichrist, who has not only a proud look, a look more stout than his fellows, but a proud heart; exalts himself above all that is called God; and not only speaks big words against the most High, but has it in his heart to change times and laws; and proudly imagines he shall always continue in his grandeur and prosperity, Daniel 7:25;

[though] hand [join] in hand, he shall not be unpunished; though he endeavours with both hands, with all his might and main, to secure himself and prevent his ruin, he shall not be able to do it; though he enters into confederacy with, and calls in the kings of the earth to his assistance, it will be of no avail, both he and they shall be destroyed; or out of hand, immediately, his destruction will come upon him, Revelation 16:14;

Proverbs 11:21; The Targum is,

"from evil he shall not be cleared;''

and the Syriac version,

"he that stretcheth out his hand against his neighbour shall not be cleared from evil.''

Proverbs 16:5

5 Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.c