Tanak Foundations-Concepts in Proverbs-Chapter 12

Prov 12.1-28 is a contrast between the upright and the wicked.

v 1…Whoever loves discipline (instruction) loves knowledge (da’at), but he who hates reproof is stupid (like a beast, cattle).

v 2…A good man will find favor from the Lord, but he will condemn a man who devises evil (wicked devices, intentions).

v 3…A man will not be established by wickedness (so that he cannot be moved out of it), but the root of the righteous will not be moved (because it is grounded, firm and deep).

v 4…An excellent wife (the virtuous woman) is the crown of her husband (she fulfills his life), but she who shames him is as rottenness to his bones (drains his strength, destroys him from within).

v 5…The thoughts (and purposes) of the righteous are just (right, influenced by God’s word which discerns man’s thoughts and intentions-Heb 4.12), but the councils of the wicked are deceitful (the purposes are to trick, trap and take advantage of others).

v 6…The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood (plot violence, to entrap the innocent), but the mouth (words) of the upright will deliver them (the innocent will be saved by the words of the righteous).

v 7…The wicked are overthrown and are no more (like Sodom, they will perish), but the house of the righteous (Beit Yehovah or “House of the Lord”) will stand (forever-Psa 23.6).

v 8…A man will be praised according to his insight (recognized for it), but one of perverse mind (heart, desires, thoughts) will be despised.

v 9…Better is he who is lightly esteemed and has a servant (has enough substance to have a servant), than he who honors himself and lacks bread (thinks more highly of himself than he should but doesn’t work).

v 10…A righteous man has regard (considers) for the life of his beast (is not cruel to his animals), but the compassion of the wicked is cruel (even in his supposed kindness because it is based on self-interest).

v 11…He who tills his land will have plenty of bread (works hard), but he who pursues vain things (loiters away his time with things of no purpose) lacks sense (void of understanding and comprehension).

v 12…The wicked desires the net (to catch) of evil men (the spoil which is taken), but the root of the righteous yields fruit (more desirable than the catch of evil men that the wicked desire).

v 113…An evil (“ra”, wicked) man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips (he talks too much, lies and deceives, and it gets him in trouble), but the righteous (tzadik) will escape from trouble (the snare set for him).

v 14…A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his words (mouth), and the riches of a man’s hand will return to him (what he deserves will come to him, both good and bad).

v 15…The way of a fool is right in his own eyes (in his own judgment), but the wise man is he who listens to counsel (good advice from the Torah).

v 16…A fool’s vexation (wrath) is known at once (breaks out quickly), but a prudent man conceals dishonor (his anger, resentment).

v 17…He who speaks (breathes) truth tells what is right, but a false witness, deceit.

v 18…There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword (sharp, piercing), but the tongue of the wise brings healing (heals the wounds of the foolish and their words).

v 19…Truthful lips will be established forever (in his reputation, what he says people will believe), but a lying tongue is only for a moment (has lost all credibility, will cease).

v 20…Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but the counselors of peace have joy (they know that what they said was right and good).

v 21…No harm befalls the righteous (especially in an eternal sense), but the wicked are filled with trouble (evil and calamity in this life and in the next).

v 22…Lying lips are an abomination to Yehovah (he is the God of truth and lies are offensive), but those who deal faithfully (truly) are a delight).

v 23…A prudent man conceals knowledge (doesn’t needlessly speak it), but the heart of fools (“kesilim”) proclaims folly (contentions, grief).

v 24…The hand of the diligent will rule (be in a position of power), but the slack hand (lazy) will be put to forced labor (to serve another, be under others).

v 25…Anxiety in the heart of a man weighs it down (makes it heavy, bowed down), but a good word makes it glad (brings new courage and life).

v 26…The righteous is a guide to his neighbor (concerned about leading him in the right way), but the way of the wicked (rashim) leads them astray (bad company corrupts good morals; show me your friends and I will tell you who you are).

v 27…A slothful (lazy) man does not roast his prey (he is too lazy to do it), but the precious possession of a man is diligence (makes the most of his opportunity).

v 28…In the way of righteousness is life (eternal life-Deut 30.6), and in its pathway there is no death (no second death).

Posted in All Teachings, Articles, Idioms, Phrases and Concepts, Prophecy/Eschatology, The Festivals of the Lord, The Tanak, Tying into the New Testament

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