Proverbs 12
A plain-spoken deep dive on the whole chapter. Read the chapter →
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
(Pro. 12:1-28) loveth knowledge--as the fruit of instruction or training (Pro 1:2). hateth reproof-- (Pro 10:17). brutish--stupid, regardless of his own welfare (Psa 49:10; Psa 73:22).
Open source ↗Whose loveth instruction loveth knowledge,.... That loves the instruction of Wisdom, or Christ, Pro 4:13; the means of instruction, the Scriptures, which are profitable for instruction in righteousness, and are written for our learning; the Gospel, which instructs into the person, office, and grace of Christ; the ministers of the word, who are so many instructors in Christ; and even the rod of afflictions, by which men are taught their duty, and the will of God: and these are to be loved; and he that loves them clearly shows that he loves knowledge; since the means of instruction, making use of them, and getting instruction by them, are attended with labour, trouble, and difficulty; which a man would not choose, had he not a love unto and a desire after knowledge, and an increase of it; as the knowledge of God, of Christ, and of his truths. Aben Ezra inverts the words; "he that loves knowledge loves instruction;'' but the sense is much the same; but he that hateth reproof is brutish; or a "beast" (k): as the man that is willing to be instructed, in order to gain knowledge, shows himself to be a wise and understanding man; so he that hates the reproof the word of God gives, or the ministers of it, or God by them, appears to be no better than a brute, than the horse or mule that want understanding: so the man of sin hates the Scriptures, the Gospel, and the ministers of it, and the reproofs and convictions they give of his idolatry, superstition, and will worship; nor does he care that his doctrines and practices should be brought to this test, or that the people should have knowledge of them; but keeps them from them, and sets up his own infallibility as the rule of judgment; and it is one character of his followers, that they "receive not the love of the truth", Th2 2:1…
Open source ↗Three proverbs on knowledge, the favour of God, firmness and the means thereto. 1 He loveth correction who loveth knowledge, And he hateth instruction who is without reason. It is difficult in such cases to say which is the relation of the ideas that is intended. The sequence of words which lies nearest in the Semitic substantival clause is that in which the predicate is placed first; but the subject may, if it is to be made prominent, stand at the head of the sentence. Here, 1b, the placing of the subject in advance recommends itself: one who hates instruction is devoid of reason. But since we have no reason in 1a to invert the order of the words as they lie together, we take the conceptions placed first in both cases as the predicates. Thus: he who loves knowledge shows and proves that he does so by this, that he willingly puts himself in the place of a learner; and devoid of reason is he who with aversion rejects reproof, which is designed to guard him from future mistakes and false steps. Regarding the punctuation דעת אהב (with Mercha on the ante-penult. and the העמדה-sign on the penult.), vid., at Pro 11:26., Pro 1:19. In 1b the Munach in תוכחת is transformed from Mugrash (Accentssystem, xviii. 2), as in Pro 15:10. בּער (cf. Pro 30:2) is a being who is stupid as the brute cattle (בּעיר, from בּער, to graze, cattle of all kinds; Arab. b'ayr, the beast κατ ̓ ἐξ., i.e., the camel); as a homo brutus is compared to a בּהמּה (Ps. 49:21), 73:22), and is called Arab. behymt, from bahym, "shut up" (spec. dabb, a bear; thwr, an ox; ḥamâr, an ass) (Fl.).
Open source ↗We are here taught to try whether we have grace or no by enquiring how we stand affected to the means of grace. 1. Those that have grace and love it will delight in all the instructions that are given them by way of counsel; admonition, or reproof, by the word or providence of God; they will value a good education, and think it not a hardship, but a happiness, to be under a strict and prudent discipline. Those that love a faithful ministry, that value it, and sit under it with pleasure, make it to appear that they love knowledge. 2. Those show themselves not only void of grace, but void of common sense, that take it as an affront to be told of their faults, and an imposition upon their liberty to be put in mind of their duty: He that hates reproof is not only foolish, but brutish, like the horse and the mule that have no understanding, or the ox that kicks against the goad. Those that desire to live in loose families and societies, where they may be under no check, that stifle the convictions of their own consciences, and count those their enemies that tell them the truth, are the brutish here meant.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
אָהַב (ʼâhab, H157) — to have affection for (sexually or otherwise) מוּסָר (mûwçâr, H4148) — properly, chastisement; figuratively, reproof, warning or instruction; also restraint דַּעַת (daʻath, H1847) — knowledge שָׂנֵא (sânêʼ, H8130) — to hate (personally) תּוֹכֵחָה (tôwkêchâh, H8433) — chastisement; figuratively (by words) correction, refutation, proof (even in defence) בַּעַר (baʻar, H1198) — properly, foot (as consumed); i.e. (by exten.) of cattle brutishness; (concretely) stupid
Open source ↗טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… פּוּק (pûwq, H6329) — to issue, i.e. furnish; causatively, to secure; figuratively, to succeed רָצוֹן (râtsôwn, H7522) — delight (especially as shown) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… מְזִמָּה (mᵉzimmâh, H4209) — a plan, usually evil (machination), sometimes good (sagacity) רָשַׁע (râshaʻ, H7561) — to be (causatively, do or declare) wrong; by implication, to disturb, violate
Open source ↗אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) כּוּן (kûwn, H3559) — properly, to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a… רֶשַׁע (reshaʻ, H7562) — a wrong (especially moral) שֶׁרֶשׁ (sheresh, H8328) — a root (literally or figuratively) צַדִּיק (tsaddîyq, H6662) — just מוֹט (môwṭ, H4131) — to waver; by implication, to slip, shake, fall
Open source ↗חַיִל (chayil, H2428) — probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue,… אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman עֲטָרָה (ʻăṭârâh, H5850) — a crown בַּעַל (baʻal, H1167) — a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in… בּוּשׁ (bûwsh, H954) — properly, to pale, i.e. by implication to be ashamed; also (by implication) to be… רָקָב (râqâb, H7538) — decay (by caries) עֶצֶם (ʻetsem, H6106) — a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e. (as pron.)…
Open source ↗מַחֲשָׁבָה (machăshâbâh, H4284) — a contrivance, i.e. (concretely) a texture, machine, or (abstractly) intention, plan… צַדִּיק (tsaddîyq, H6662) — just מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… תַּחְבֻּלָה (tachbulâh, H8458) — (only in plural) properly, steerage (as a management of ropes), i.e. (figuratively)… רָשָׁע (râshâʻ, H7563) — morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person מִרְמָה (mirmâh, H4820) — fraud
Open source ↗דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause רָשָׁע (râshâʻ, H7563) — morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person אָרַב (ʼârab, H693) — to lurk דָּם (dâm, H1818) — blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice… פֶּה (peh, H6310) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech);… יָשָׁר (yâshâr, H3477) — straight (literally or figuratively) נָצַל (nâtsal, H5337) — to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense
Open source ↗רָשָׁע (râshâʻ, H7563) — morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person הָפַךְ (hâphak, H2015) — to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) צַדִּיק (tsaddîyq, H6662) — just עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
Open source ↗אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… הָלַל (hâlal, H1984) — to be clear (orig. of sound, but usually of color); to shine; hence, to make ashow, to… פֶּה (peh, H6310) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech);… שֶׂכֶל (sekel, H7922) — intelligence; by implication, success עָוָה (ʻâvâh, H5753) — to crook, literally or figuratively לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the… בּוּז (bûwz, H937) — disrespect
Open source ↗קָלָה (qâlâh, H7034) — to be light (as implied in rapid motion), but figuratively, only (be (causatively, hold)… עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… כָּבַד (kâbad, H3513) — to be heavy, i.e. in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous,… חָסֵר (châçêr, H2638) — lacking; hence, without לֶחֶם (lechem, H3899) — food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
Open source ↗צַדִּיק (tsaddîyq, H6662) — just יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… בְּהֵמָה (bᵉhêmâh, H929) — properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective) רַחַם (racham, H7356) — compassion (in the plural); by extension, the womb (as cherishing the fetus); by… רָשָׁע (râshâʻ, H7563) — morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person אַכְזָרִי (ʼakzârîy, H394) — terrible
Open source ↗עָבַד (ʻâbad, H5647) — to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc. אֲדָמָה (ʼădâmâh, H127) — soil (from its general redness) שָׂבַע (sâbaʻ, H7646) — to sate, i.e. fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively) לֶחֶם (lechem, H3899) — food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it) רָדַף (râdaph, H7291) — to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively (of time) gone by) רֵיק (rêyq, H7386) — empty; figuratively, worthless חָסֵר (châçêr, H2638) — lacking; hence, without לֵב (lêb, H3820) — the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the…
Open source ↗רָשָׁע (râshâʻ, H7563) — morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person חָמַד (châmad, H2530) — to delight in מָצוֹד (mâtsôwd, H4685) — a net (for capturing animals or fishes); afastness or (beseiging) tower רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) שֶׁרֶשׁ (sheresh, H8328) — a root (literally or figuratively) צַדִּיק (tsaddîyq, H6662) — just נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
Open source ↗רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) מוֹקֵשׁ (môwqêsh, H4170) — a noose (for catching animals) (literally or figuratively); by implication, a hook (for… פֶּשַׁע (peshaʻ, H6588) — a revolt (national, moral or religious) שָׂפָה (sâphâh, H8193) — the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a… צַדִּיק (tsaddîyq, H6662) — just יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… צָרָה (tsârâh, H6869) — tightness (i.e. figuratively, trouble); transitively, a female rival:
Open source ↗אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… שָׂבַע (sâbaʻ, H7646) — to sate, i.e. fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively) טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… פְּרִי (pᵉrîy, H6529) — fruit (literally or figuratively) פֶּה (peh, H6310) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech);… גְּמוּל (gᵉmûwl, H1576) — treatment, i.e. an act (of good or ill); by implication, service or requital אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not…
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Discipline is harsh for him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die.
He who isolates himself pursues selfish desires; he rebels against all sound judgment.
I love those who love me, and those who seek me early shall find me.
Do not be like the horse or mule, which have no understanding; they must be controlled with bit and bridle to make them come to you.
A senseless man does not know, and a fool does not understand,
and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them.
The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master’s manger, but Israel does not know; My people do not understand.”
Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways.
Make clear to me the way of Your precepts; then I will meditate on Your wonders.