Proverbs 1:12 kjv

Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:

Proverbs 1:12 nkjv

Let us swallow them alive like Sheol, And whole, like those who go down to the Pit;

Proverbs 1:12 niv

let's swallow them alive, like the grave, and whole, like those who go down to the pit;

Proverbs 1:12 esv

like Sheol let us swallow them alive, and whole, like those who go down to the pit;

Proverbs 1:12 nlt

Let's swallow them alive, like the grave ;
let's swallow them whole, like those who go down to the pit of death.

Proverbs 1 verses

Proverbs 1 12 Meaning

Proverbs 1:12 describes the violent and predatory mindset of the wicked, who lure the young into their scheme. They express a ravenous desire to completely destroy and consume their victims, likening their act to the swift, final engulfing power of the grave (Sheol) or a deadly pit. The verse emphasizes their intent for absolute obliteration, leaving no trace of their victims and seizing all their possessions without impediment.

Proverbs 1 12 Context

Proverbs 1:12 is found within the introductory section of the Book of Proverbs, specifically a father's urgent warning to his son against the dangers of associating with sinners (Proverbs 1:8-19). This specific verse expresses the chilling, predatory mentality of those who lie in wait to ambush the innocent. It serves as a stark depiction of their ruthless desire for complete annihilation and acquisition of plunder, forming a key part of the enticement narrative (Proverbs 1:11-14). Historically and culturally, such language reflected the grim reality of brigandage and sudden, violent ambushes common in the ancient Near East, where travelers and the unwary were susceptible to being attacked, killed, and their possessions stolen, often with their bodies disposed of to prevent discovery.

Proverbs 1 12 Word analysis

• Let us swallow them up (נְבִלְעֵם - nᵊvil‘ēm): From the Hebrew root בָּלַע (balaʿ), meaning to swallow, engulf, or consume. It signifies a complete, irreversible absorption or destruction, like a creature devouring its prey whole. The verb is in the Qal imperfect, first person plural, expressing a volitional or strong desire ("Let us..."). It portrays an insatiable, destructive appetite.
• alive (חַיִּים - ḥayyîm): The plural form emphasizes the fullness of life, making the intent more horrific: to seize victims who are still breathing, full of vitality, and plunge them directly into an inescapable state of non-existence or oblivion. This underlines the brutality and lack of mercy in their scheme.
• as the grave (כִּשְׁאוֹל - kǐš’ôl): From שְׁאוֹל (šᵊ’ôl), Sheol, the common grave, the realm of the dead. The preposition כּ (k-) means "like" or "as." Sheol is personified as a hungry, gaping mouth that consumes everything without return, signifying ultimate finality and obliteration. This metaphor illustrates the totality and secrecy of the intended destruction.
• and whole (תְמִימִים - təmîmîm): From תָּמִים (tāmîm), meaning complete, entire, perfect. It refers to the victims being taken entirely, unimpaired. It highlights the completeness of the intended acquisition of goods and the comprehensive annihilation of the individuals—nothing of them (person or possessions) would remain unconsumed or untouched.
• as those that go down (כְּיוֹרְדֵי - kĕyôr'dê): From יָרַד (yārad), to descend or go down. Again, the preposition כּ (k-) means "like" or "as." "Going down" is a common biblical idiom for death, dying, or entering a deep, inescapable place.
• into the pit (בוֹר - bôr): This word refers to a pit, cistern, well, or dungeon, often used as a metaphor for destruction, imprisonment, or even death (a burial pit). It reinforces the imagery of inescapable confinement and removal from the living world, complementing the reference to Sheol by evoking a place of no return.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "Let us swallow them up alive as the grave": This phrase dramatically portrays the voracious and utterly destructive intent of the wicked. It suggests they desire to absorb their victims entirely, much like the relentless hunger of death, which leaves no trace and offers no escape. The victims are not just to be killed but to vanish without a sign.
• "and whole, as those that go down into the pit": This parallelism deepens the imagery of complete annihilation. "Whole" signifies that the victims, in their entirety, with all their belongings, will be swallowed up. "Going down into the pit" emphasizes inescapable imprisonment or a hidden burial, further cementing the idea of absolute disappearance and acquisition of their possessions without leaving any remainder for recovery.

Proverbs 1 12 Bonus section

• The personification of the grave/Sheol as having an "open mouth" is a recurrent biblical motif (e.g., Isa 5:14; Hab 2:5), intensifying the horror of what the wicked intend to do.
• This verse stands as an active demonstration of the "sinners'" mindset (as described in Pr 1:10), preparing the groundwork for the stark contrast with Lady Wisdom's call in Pr 1:20-33.
• The violent imagery emphasizes the nature of the wicked's pursuit, which is not merely wealth accumulation but the predatory consumption of others for gain, a far cry from righteous labor.

Proverbs 1 12 Commentary

Proverbs 1:12 encapsulates the dark heart of the ungodly enticement presented earlier in the chapter. It starkly reveals the total absence of human compassion and the sheer brutality lurking behind the tempting offer of easy gain. The comparison to the grave and the pit signifies that these individuals do not merely intend to injure or rob their victims, but to utterly obliterate them from existence, making them "disappear" completely for their own profit. This is the extreme consequence of greed fueled by violence—it dehumanizes victims into mere objects to be consumed. The verse serves as a crucial warning to the simple and naive: associating with such individuals inevitably leads to ruin, where one might either become like them or fall victim to them. The imagery underscores the deceitful nature of sin, which promises wealth but delivers only destruction, ultimately turning the predator into the prey of divine judgment.