Proverbs 12

This chapter belongs to the "Proverbs of Solomon" section, which runs from Proverbs 10:1 to 22:16. As in the preceding chapters, most verses are written in parallelism, a form in which the two halves of a verse are paired and set against each other. The chapter uses this form to contrast the righteous with the wicked and the wise with the foolish.

Outline

• Verses 1–3 contrast the one who loves instruction with the one who hates reproof, and the good man with the one who devises wickedness. The root of the righteous, the text says, shall not be moved.
• Verse 4 describes a virtuous woman as a crown to her husband, while she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.
• Verses 5–8 contrast the thoughts of the righteous with the counsels of the wicked, and words that lie in wait for blood with the mouth that delivers.
• Verses 9–12 address household affairs and livelihood. The righteous man regards the life of his beast (livestock), and he who tills his land shall be satisfied with bread.
• Verses 13–23 present a series of proverbs about speech. They contrast words like the piercings of a sword with a tongue that brings health, and truthful lips with a lying tongue. They also contrast the fool, whose wrath is presently known, with the prudent man, who covers shame (insult).
• Verses 24–28 contrast diligence with slothfulness and heaviness of heart with a good word, and close by declaring that in the way of righteousness is life.

Key Verses

• Proverbs 12:18, "the tongue of the wise is health" — condenses the chapter's theme that words can either wound or heal.
• Proverbs 12:4, "A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband" — connects with the poem of the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31.
• Proverbs 12:28, "In the way of righteousness is life" — forms the chapter's conclusion, linking the way of righteousness with life.

People and Places

No specific people or places appear. God is called the LORD (verses 2 and 22), and according to the heading (Proverbs 10:1), the proverbs of this section are traditionally attributed to Solomon.

Points for Reflection

• Many interpreters understand verse 21, "There shall no evil happen to the just," not as an unconditional promise but as an expression typical of wisdom literature that describes the general tendency of life. They read this verse together with the Book of Job, which deals with the suffering of the righteous. By contrast, some preaching traditions emphasize such verses as promises for believers to hold on to.
• The meaning of the Hebrew text in the second half of verse 28 is difficult, and translations differ. Some interpreters follow translations such as the Korean Revised Version, which renders it "there is no death," and read it as looking ahead to eternal life. Other translations render it as "a path that leads to death," in contrast with the preceding line.
• The teaching on speech is read alongside the exhortation about the tongue in James 3 in the New Testament. The discipline mentioned in verse 1 is read alongside Hebrews 12:6–11.