The Meaning of Proverbs 15:8 Explained

Proverbs 15:8

KJV: The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

YLT: The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah, And the prayer of the upright is His delight.

Darby: The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah; but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

ASV: The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to Jehovah; But the prayer of the upright is his delight.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

The sacrifice  of the wicked  [is] an abomination  to the LORD:  but the prayer  of the upright  [is] his delight. 

What does Proverbs 15:8 Mean?

Context Summary

Proverbs 15:1-17 - Kind Words And Glad Hearts
A soft answer; the tongue of the wise; a wholesome tongue; the lips of the wise; the prayer of the upright-these keywords touch one of the greatest departments of human influence. If we can rule our speech, or at least hand over our tongue and lips to the keeping of God's Spirit, what a world of trouble we should save ourselves and others! And God would keep watch over us and for us. See Proverbs 15:3, r.v.
Notice, also, the inducements to a right and holy life! Treasure in the house; answered prayer; the love of God; a cheerful heart; a contented mind-such are some of the by-products and experiences of those whose life is "hid with Christ in God." When we put first things in the first place, all else is added.
What a comfort it is that God searcheth our hearts and knoweth them altogether! Yes, and even when He chastens and corrects us, it is well. There is no bliss comparable to that of the forgiven sinner, who is called into "the secret place of the Most High." [source]

Chapter Summary: Proverbs 15

1  A gentle answer turns away wrath

What do the individual words in Proverbs 15:8 mean?

The sacrifice of the wicked [is] an abomination to Yahweh but the prayer of the upright [is] His delight
זֶ֣בַח רְ֭שָׁעִים תּוֹעֲבַ֣ת יְהוָ֑ה וּתְפִלַּ֖ת יְשָׁרִ֣ים רְצוֹנֽוֹ

זֶ֣בַח  The  sacrifice 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: זֶבַח  
Sense: sacrifice.
רְ֭שָׁעִים  of  the  wicked 
Parse: Adjective, masculine plural
Root: רָשָׁע  
Sense: wicked, criminal.
תּוֹעֲבַ֣ת  [is]  an  abomination  to 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular construct
Root: תֹּועֵבָה  
Sense: a disgusting thing, abomination, abominable.
יְהוָ֑ה  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
וּתְפִלַּ֖ת  but  the  prayer 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, feminine singular construct
Root: תְּפִלָּה  
Sense: prayer.
יְשָׁרִ֣ים  of  the  upright 
Parse: Adjective, masculine plural
Root: יָשָׁר 
Sense: straight, upright, correct, right.
רְצוֹנֽוֹ  [is]  His  delight 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, third person masculine singular
Root: רָצֹון  
Sense: pleasure, delight, favour, goodwill, acceptance, will.