Posted by Jeff Short on April 5, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.
– Proverbs 12:12
The interpretations of this proverb are various. There is actually a double contrast in this proverb. The
net of evil men is contrasted with the
root of the righteous and the desire of the
wicked is contrasted with the yield of the
righteous. The
net of evil men is the plans and means of evil men to capture, or make a quick gain. The
root is something that must be planted in the ground, fed, and kept. It grows and over time yields a produce. One seeks a big gain all at once through some ill stratagem and the other sees ahead and patiently waits for the honest gain of borne fruit. The word for
desireth means to delight in or take pleasure in. The wicked’s desire is to grasp and get by whatever means, and the quicker the better. The word for
yieldeth means to give. The wisdom of the righteous teaches them to desire to bless others and not only seek their own gain.
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Posted by Jeff Short on April 3, 2017 · Leave a Comment
A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
– Proverbs 12:10
The word for
righteous is common and means justice. It gives the idea of dealing justly or fairly with others. Here the righteous man is considerate of
the life of his beast. The phrase expresses how thorough his kindness is as it extends to animal life. The law had certain provisions pertaining to animals and their treatment (Exodus 22:20; Leviticus 22:27-28; Deuteronomy 22:6; 25:4). The righteous man has understanding, particularly of the creation and the respect we should have for it. The contrast with the
wicked is heightened by comparing their conduct toward people. The word for
tender mercies means compassion. The phrase expresses that the wicked have so little regard for others that even their compassion is cruel.
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Posted by Jeff Short on March 30, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.
– Proverbs 12:7
This proverb refers to the
wicked being cut off (Proverbs 2:22). Wisdom teaches there is no stability or longevity in the folly of wickedness. Contrariwise, the
righteous will be established and their expectation not ashamed (Proverbs 2:21).
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Posted by Jeff Short on March 28, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are deceit.
– Proverbs 12:5
The principle in this proverbs was expressed by Jesus in terms of a tree bearing fruit only according to its type (Matthew 7:17-19). The word for
thoughts means plans or intentions. The intentions of the
righteous are the fruit they produce, which fruit is
right. The word for
counsels literally means steerage and indicates guidance or advice. These are the fruit produced by the
wicked and, therefore, they are
deceit, or treachery. Kidner observed that we ignore this proverb when we elect leaders based “on the strength of their promises rather than their principles.”
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Posted by Jeff Short on March 26, 2017 · Leave a Comment
A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved.
– Proverbs 12:3
A root anchors and stabilizes the tree. Having a good root means flourishing in fruit and strength to withstand storms and so to endure. There is no such root in
wickedness. The word for
established means to stand upright. Righteousness, on the contrary, will establish a man that he
not be moved (Proverbs 10:25).
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Posted by Jeff Short on March 23, 2017 · Leave a Comment
Behold, the righteous shall be recompensed in the earth: much more the wicked and the sinner.
– Proverbs 11:31
The word for
recompensed means repaid and carries the thought of completion. The requital can be reward or judgment depending on the context. The word is used at least twice in Proverbs to speak of a reward to the righteous (Proverbs 13:13, 21). If we think more about the aspect of completion in the recompense, we see it refers to a fitting reward that finishes the works. So, the
righteous receive a reward that brings completion to their works and the
wicked receive a reward of judgment that finishes their works. The proverb does not present a contrast, but a comparison and the primary point is that just reward is sure to come to all.
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Posted by Jeff Short on March 22, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.
– Proverbs 11:30
The first phrase employs the
tree of life metaphor.
Fruit is something that is produced. The produce of the righteous is life-giving and nourishing to people. When taken with the second phrase, we know this is not coincidental. The righteous aim at doing good to others. The second phrase states that the
wise win
souls. The word for
winneth is used over 900 times in the Old Testament and can be used in a variety of ways. It means to take in the sense of take hold of or grasp. It is also used to mean to receive or accept something. It can be used to describe taking or capturing men as in conquest. It can also mean to capture in terms of thought or persuasion. The word is used 19 times in Proverbs.
• The most common use is in the sense of taking hold of wise instruction (Proverbs 1:3; 2:1; 4:10; 8:10; 10:8; 21:11; 24:32).
• The second most common use is in the sense of taking or acquiring an object or possession (Proverbs 7:20; 20:16; 22:27; 27:13; 31:16).
• The third use describes the taking of life by the wicked (Proverbs 1:19; 24:11).
• The fourth usage refers to receiving shame or a snare (Proverbs 9:7; 22:25).
• The fifth use of the term described the strange woman taking her victims (Proverbs 6:25).
• The sixth use is in the sense of taking a bribe to pervert justice (Proverbs 17:23).
• That leaves the last usage, which is in our text (Proverbs 11:30).
It’s obvious the usage in this proverb is akin to the most common use of the word, which describes the receiving of wisdom. The use is simply inverted here. Rather than commanding or commending the receiving of wisdom, the word is describing the wise one who wins people to wisdom. The point of both phrases together is that the wise, those who have truly received wisdom, will seek to guide others into wisdom.
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Posted by Jeff Short on March 20, 2017 · Leave a Comment
He that trusteth in his riches shall fall: but the righteous shall flourish as a branch.
– Proverbs 11:28
The contrast in this proverb is in the object of trust, or faith. Riches can be gained and lost. Proverbs views riches as short-lived and uncertain (Proverbs 23:5). To put trust in wealth is to fall, or come to ruin. At some point, riches will fail and hopes will be disappointed (Psalm 52:7; 62:10; Luke 12:20). The righteous are those who put their trust in the Lord. They may or may not have wealth, but that is not their refuge (Psalm 18:2). Because the righteous put their trust in the Lord, they will flourish (Psalm 52:8; 92:12-14).
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Posted by Jeff Short on March 15, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The desire of the righteous is only good: but the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
– Proverbs 11:23
The words for
desire and
expectation are similar. They both describe a longing and in this verse they describe what the
righteous and the
wicked are seeking. The contrast is in the outcomes, or wisdom’s estimate of the objects of their respective pursuits.
Good is in the largest sense of good and
wrath is an overflowing fury and rage.
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Proverbs 12:12
Posted by Jeff Short on April 5, 2017 · Leave a Comment
The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit.
The interpretations of this proverb are various. There is actually a double contrast in this proverb. The net of evil men is contrasted with the root of the righteous and the desire of the wicked is contrasted with the yield of the righteous. The net of evil men is the plans and means of evil men to capture, or make a quick gain. The root is something that must be planted in the ground, fed, and kept. It grows and over time yields a produce. One seeks a big gain all at once through some ill stratagem and the other sees ahead and patiently waits for the honest gain of borne fruit. The word for desireth means to delight in or take pleasure in. The wicked’s desire is to grasp and get by whatever means, and the quicker the better. The word for yieldeth means to give. The wisdom of the righteous teaches them to desire to bless others and not only seek their own gain.– Proverbs 12:12
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