Proverbs 12 Study Notes
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12:1 Obviously the stupid person is one without average human intelligence (30:2). But something more is in view here. The “stupid” person is more like a brutish, irrational animal (Ps 73:22). That he hates correction reveals a heart problem more than a head problem.
12:2 On schemes, see “discretion” in note at 1:4.
12:3 Security comes from righteousness, not from wicked scheming.
12:4 This is the same Hebrew phrase as that in the portrayal of the wife of noble character in 31:10 and the description of Ruth as “a woman of noble character” (Ru 3:11). Rottenness in the bones implies loss of joy and strength.
12:5 Be very careful where you get guidance.
12:6 The speech of the wicked aims at injuring the innocent, but the wise speech of the upright can deliver them.
12:7 This verse speaks of “the inherent instability of evil” (Derek Kidner; cp. 12:3).
12:8 The Hebrew word for insight is related to prudence (see “prudent instruction” in note at 1:3).
12:9 On better . . . than proverbs, see note at 15:16-17. To have one servant signified a modest standard of living in ancient times.
12:10 What the wicked person thinks is merciful is still cruel.
12:11 The opposite of productive works is the pursuit of fantasies or delusions, such as get-rich-quick schemes, gambling, or idly “waiting for my ship to come in.”
12:12 What the wicked man desires is literally “the stronghold [or ‘net, snare’] of evil men.” That is, he desires what they have obtained by plunder. Verse 12b is literally “but the root of the righteous gives.” Some scholars and translations emend the verb to endures. CSB renders it is productive.
12:13 Again the message is that the evil person who tries to snare the innocent is caught in his own trap.
12:14 After a person accomplishes good things through the fruit of his mouth, good in turn will provide a reward for him (8:10; 13:2,21; 18:20).
12:15 To judge one’s way merely in one’s own eyes is to be purely independent, not to seek out others’ opinions and advice.
12:16 What is recommended is self-control.
12:17 This is courtroom terminology. The person who speaks the truth is the opposite of the false witness who has first-hand knowledge but utters lies (6:19; 14:5,25; 19:5,9). To declare what is right is to provide the necessary information for a correct verdict, which could literally save the life of an innocent person (14:25).
12:18 Speaking rashly, without thinking, could involve either saying something inconsiderate (Nm 20:10; Ps 106:33) or making reckless vows (Lv 5:4).
12:19 Truthful lips endure forever because they gain the Lord’s favor.
12:20 Peace is the opposite of evil in the sense that success or welfare is the opposite of disaster (Is 45:7; Jr 29:11).
12:21 As Bruce Waltke explains, “The promise must be interpreted in the light of the final outcome.”
12:22 On detestable, see note at 3:32.
12:23 On shrewd, see note at 1:4. The shrewd person holds his tongue unless the situation is right. What he has is knowledge. The foolish (Hb kesiyl) person does not restrain himself. What’s worse, his speech is pure stupidity (see note at 5:23).
12:24 For examples of forced labor, see Ex 1:11; Jdg 1:28; 1Kg 5:13-14; 12:18; Lm 1:1.
12:25 Cp. 12:18b: “but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Anxiety “denotes the extreme emotional distress caused by the situation of fearing to lose something vital to life” (Bruce Waltke). A good word restores hope.
12:26 The righteous person literally “spies out” (Nm 13:2) or “investigates” (Ec 7:25) his neighbor to make sure he will not mislead him.
12:27 The lazy hunter (v. 24; 10:4; 19:15; cp. “slacker” in note at 6:6) has failed to put in the time it takes to obtain any game, but the diligent person has obtained precious . . . wealth. This proverb may also imply that the lazy man does not finish what he started and roast what he has brought home, so it goes to waste; the diligent man takes care of what God has given him.