The term "flattereth" is derived from the verb "to flatter," which means to praise or compliment insincerely, often to gain favor or advantage. In the context of the Bible, flattery is generally viewed with disapproval, as it is associated with deceit, manipulation, and a lack of genuine love or truthfulness.

Biblical References:

1. Proverbs 29:5 : "A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet." This verse highlights the deceptive nature of flattery, suggesting that it is a trap laid out for the unsuspecting. The flatterer may appear to be a friend, but his intentions are self-serving and potentially harmful.

2. Psalm 12:2-3 : "They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and a double heart. May the LORD cut off all flattering lips and the tongue that speaks proud things." Here, flattery is equated with falsehood and duplicity. The psalmist calls for divine intervention against those who use flattering words to deceive and manipulate others.

3. Proverbs 26:28 : "A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth works ruin." This proverb connects flattery with destruction, indicating that those who use flattery do so with malicious intent, ultimately leading to harm and ruin.

4. Proverbs 28:23 : "He who rebukes a man will later find more favor than one who flatters with his tongue." This verse contrasts the temporary favor gained through flattery with the lasting respect earned by honest rebuke. It suggests that truthfulness, even when difficult, is more valuable than insincere praise.

5. Job 32:21-22 : "I will be partial to no one, nor will I flatter any man. For I do not know how to flatter, or my Maker would remove me in an instant." Elihu, one of Job's friends, declares his commitment to honesty over flattery, recognizing that flattery is not pleasing to God and could result in divine judgment.

Theological Implications:

Flattery is often condemned in Scripture because it is rooted in deceit and self-interest. It stands in opposition to the biblical call for truthfulness and integrity. The Bible encourages believers to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) and to let their words be seasoned with grace (Colossians 4:6). Flattery, by contrast, is a tool of manipulation that undermines genuine relationships and community.

Moral and Ethical Considerations:

From a moral standpoint, flattery is seen as a violation of the commandment to love one's neighbor as oneself (Matthew 22:39). It is a form of dishonesty that prioritizes personal gain over the well-being of others. Ethically, Christians are called to avoid flattery and instead pursue honesty, transparency, and sincerity in their interactions.

Practical Application:

Believers are encouraged to examine their motives when offering praise or compliments, ensuring that their words are sincere and edifying. In a world where flattery is often used to manipulate and deceive, Christians are called to be people of truth, reflecting the character of Christ in their speech and actions.

Wisdom and the Strange Woman
... Wisdom, Thou art my sister; And call Understanding thy kinswoman: That they may
keep thee from the Strange Woman, From the stranger which flattereth with her ...
/.../select masterpieces of biblical literature/vii wisdom and the strange.htm

Of the Diverse Motions of Nature and of Grace
... 14. "Nature rejoiceth in many friends and kinsfolk, she boasteth of noble place
and noble birth, she smileth on the powerful, flattereth the rich, applaudeth ...
/.../kempis/imitation of christ/chapter liv of the diverse.htm

Psalm 36
... Undoubtedly the fear of God. is not before his eyes. ^2Because himself he flattereth.
in his own blinded eye,. Until the hatefulness be found. of his iniquity. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/scottish psalter and paraphrases/psalm 36.htm

Introduction.
... This strange young woman is using every device to allure souls into her wanton chamber.
She is most subtle of heart. She "flattereth with her words. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /introduction.htm

False Profession.
... It is a sin that flattereth, that dissembleth, that offereth to hold God, as it
were, fair in hand, about that which is neither purposed nor intended. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xx false profession.htm

The Prayer of Jabez
... Bethink thee of Solomon's caution, "meddle not with him that flattereth with his
lips." Cry to God, "Deliver thou me from all this vain adulation, which ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the prayer of jabez.htm

Charity and Rebuke.
... The speech of this false Charity betrayeth it, it flattereth with its lips; honey
is on its tongue, but the poison of asps is underneath; beware of it! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/booth/godliness/chapter iv charity and rebuke.htm

The Truth of God
... Jerome, speaking of the Arians, says, they pretended friendship, they kissed my
hands, but plotted mischief against me.' A man that flattereth his neighbour ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/10 the truth of god.htm

The Final Unmasking.
... 'He flattereth himself in his own eyes until his iniquity is found to be hateful.'
A man may loathe a thing in the abstract for years, and find at last that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/unspoken sermons/the final unmasking.htm

Antichrist in the Psalms
... "For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful"
(v.2). Haughty conceit fills him, but in the end he shall reap as he has ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/antichrist in the psalms .htm

Flattereth (6 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Flattereth (6 Occurrences). Psalms 36:2 For he flattereth
himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful. ...
/f/flattereth.htm - 7k

Smooth (39 Occurrences)
... (BBE DBY). Proverbs 2:16 To deliver thee from the strange woman, Even from the
foreigner that flattereth with her words; (See JPS BBE YLT RSV). ...
/s/smooth.htm - 18k

Flattering (11 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Proverbs 28:23 He that rebuketh a man
shall in the end find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue. ...
/f/flattering.htm - 9k

Flatteries (3 Occurrences)

/f/flatteries.htm - 7k

Flatterer (1 Occurrence)

/f/flatterer.htm - 6k

Talebearer (8 Occurrences)
... (KJV DBY). Proverbs 20:19 He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets:
therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips. (KJV JPS). ...
/t/talebearer.htm - 8k

Revealeth (9 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). Proverbs 20:19 He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth
secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips. ...
/r/revealeth.htm - 8k

Rebuketh (5 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS). Proverbs 28:23 He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour
than he that flattereth with the tongue. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). ...
/r/rebuketh.htm - 7k

Meddle (6 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS). Proverbs 20:19 He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth
secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips. ...
/m/meddle.htm - 8k

Spreadeth (37 Occurrences)
... out folly. (YLT). Proverbs 29:5 A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth
a net for his feet. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT). Isaiah ...
/s/spreadeth.htm - 17k

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