Proverbs 11:9 kjv

An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.

Proverbs 11:9 nkjv

The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor, But through knowledge the righteous will be delivered.

Proverbs 11:9 niv

With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors, but through knowledge the righteous escape.

Proverbs 11:9 esv

With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.

Proverbs 11:9 nlt

With their words, the godless destroy their friends,
but knowledge will rescue the righteous.

Proverbs 11 verses

Proverbs 11 9 Meaning

Proverbs 11:9 illuminates the stark contrast between the destructive impact of the wicked person's words and the protective power of true wisdom for the righteous. It asserts that an individual alienated from God (the "godless man") inflicts ruin upon others through deceitful or malicious speech. Conversely, those who are just and upright, guided by genuine understanding and discernment, find rescue and preservation from such harm. The verse emphasizes both the perilous potential of corrupt communication and the safeguarding efficacy of integrity and divine truth.

Proverbs 11 9 Context

Proverbs 11 belongs to the second main collection of Solomonic proverbs (Prov 10-22). This chapter, characteristic of antithetical proverbs, frequently juxtaposes the righteous and the wicked, outlining their contrasting character, actions, and ultimate destinies. Key themes include honesty versus deceit (vv. 1, 3, 5-6), pride versus humility (v. 2), the social impact of individuals (vv. 10-14), generosity versus stinginess (vv. 24-26), and the overall prosperity of the righteous against the ruin of the wicked. Verse 9 fits directly into this framework by focusing on the power of speech and understanding, showcasing how the words of the impious bring ruin to others, while the discernment of the upright ensures their safety and the preservation of truth within the community. Historically, proverbs served as a foundational wisdom tradition in ancient Israel, offering practical and moral guidance rooted in a God-fearing worldview. The verse implicitly warns against the pervasive dangers of false witnesses and slander within communal life, which were significant threats in societies relying heavily on reputation and verbal transactions.

Proverbs 11 9 Word analysis

• "With his mouth" (בְּפֶה, bĕpeh): This highlights the instrument of destruction. It signifies not merely the physical organ but, more profoundly, the words, speech, and pronouncements that emanate from within. It stresses that the immediate cause of ruin is linguistic, underscoring the formidable power and pervasive reach of verbal communication in the ancient world.
• "the godless man" (חָנֵף, khanef): This term carries a strong ethical and spiritual weight, meaning "impious," "hypocrite," "profane," or "unrighteous." It describes someone morally defiled or disingenuous, one whose actions or words do not align with their purported piety or external appearance. This individual is not simply an atheist, but one whose life actively works against divine principles, often subtly and deceitfully, reflecting an internal corruption that manifests externally, particularly in their speech.
• "destroys" (יַשְׁחִית, yashḥiyt): From the verb שָׁחַת (shachat), meaning "to corrupt," "to spoil," "to ruin," or "to cause decay." This is a forceful word indicating profound harm. The destruction caused by the godless man's mouth is not necessarily physical violence but can be social, reputational, psychological, or spiritual, eroding trust and community fabric. It suggests a process of undermining and undoing.
• "his neighbor" (רֵעַ, rea'): This term is broad, encompassing not only someone who lives next door but also a friend, associate, fellow citizen, or any human being within one's social sphere. This implies the widespread harm that malicious speech can inflict upon one's community. The action of destruction against one's neighbor is a direct violation of the foundational commands for communal well-being.
• "but" (וְ, we): This conjunction functions as a strong contrast, typical of antithetical proverbs. It signals a dramatic shift in subject and outcome, highlighting the divergent paths and destinies of the wicked and the righteous.
• "by knowledge" (בְּדַעַת, bĕda'at): Refers to "discernment," "understanding," "wisdom," or "insight." In Proverbs, "knowledge" is intrinsically linked to divine wisdom and the fear of the Lord. It is not merely intellectual information but a practical, moral, and spiritual understanding of how the world truly operates, especially concerning right and wrong. This knowledge enables the righteous to perceive dangers, avoid deceit, and stand firm against adversity.
• "the righteous" (צַדִּיקִים, tzaddiqim): These are individuals who are just, upright, and conform their lives to God's standards. Their actions, thoughts, and words are in alignment with truth and integrity. They embody the ideal of walking in the way of wisdom.
• "are delivered" (יֵחָלְצוּ, yeḥaltẓu): From the verb חָלַץ (chalats), meaning "to be rescued," "to be freed," "to be armed for battle," or "to be pulled out." This implies an active process of salvation or preservation from a perilous situation. The knowledge of the righteous provides them with the means or the protection necessary to escape the destructive influence or malicious attacks of the godless. It suggests their ability to recognize and avoid the traps set by wicked speech.

Words-Group Analysis

• "With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor": This initial clause encapsulates the danger posed by corrupted character and communication. The "mouth" acts as the weapon, the "godless man" (or hypocrite) is the one wielding it with deceitful intent, and the "neighbor" is the unsuspecting target of the verbal destruction. This emphasizes that spoken words from a depraved heart carry ruinous potential for social and relational breakdown, undermining trust and causing severe harm without physical contact. The destruction can be subtle yet profound, affecting reputation, livelihood, or peace.
• "but by knowledge the righteous are delivered": This contrasting clause offers hope and defines the means of preservation. "Knowledge"—rooted in wisdom and divine understanding—is the protective power. It empowers "the righteous" to discern truth from falsehood, detect deception, navigate peril, and ultimately find salvation or freedom from the schemes of the godless. This highlights that upright living, informed by true wisdom, naturally provides protection against destructive influences and facilitates one's own, and potentially others', rescue from moral and social degradation.

Proverbs 11 9 Bonus section

The Hebrew term for "godless man," khanef, holds a rich theological implication beyond simple non-belief. It describes someone whose heart is "profaned" or "defiled," implying a corruption that results in dissimulation, hypocrisy, and impious conduct despite any outward religious observance. This inner state ensures their words will carry destructive intent, as they lack a moral anchor. This particular term often denotes a hidden maliciousness rather than overt hostility. The verse is therefore a warning not just against obvious evildoers, but against those whose actions or words are veiled in pretense, whose superficiality conceals a ruinous core.

Furthermore, "knowledge" (da'at) is a foundational concept in Proverbs, consistently linked with the "fear of the Lord." It implies experiential and relational knowing, rather than mere intellectual acquisition. This depth of understanding grants the righteous a keen spiritual insight that acts as an active defense. It is by understanding the nature of evil, and simultaneously the nature of God's ways, that they can navigate treacherous situations and expose deceit, facilitating their "deliverance." This deliverance isn't always passive; it can involve active wisdom applied to challenging circumstances. The antithetical structure underscores a divine order: God's principles ultimately lead to preservation, while deviation from them (embodied in the godless man) invariably leads to ruin, often self-inflicted and impacting others.

Proverbs 11 9 Commentary

Proverbs 11:9 is a quintessential wisdom proverb, laying bare the profound moral dichotomy at the heart of biblical thought: the way of the wicked versus the way of the righteous. It profoundly stresses the spiritual weight and practical consequences of speech. The "godless man," intrinsically corrupt and hypocritical, utilizes his "mouth"—not fists or overt weapons, but insidious words like slander, deceit, and false witness—to dismantle the lives and reputations of his "neighbor." This highlights the subtle yet devastating power of verbal abuse and misrepresentation, which can lead to social ostracism, professional ruin, or personal despair for the victim. Such destructive speech flows from an unrighteous heart that rejects God's standards and lacks true integrity.

In vivid contrast, the proverb asserts the safety found in "knowledge" for "the righteous." This knowledge is not mere academic fact but a spiritual and moral discernment, intrinsically linked to the fear of the Lord (Prov 1:7). It enables the righteous to perceive the cunning of the impious, to distinguish truth from lies, and to avoid falling prey to manipulation or being falsely implicated. This discernment acts as a shield, protecting them from the insidious attacks of the wicked. Moreover, their own speech, born of this knowledge, can be truthful and discerning, often serving as a counter-narrative to expose the lies of the godless, thus bringing "deliverance"—not just for themselves, but also potentially for others entangled in deception. The verse ultimately teaches that spiritual truth (knowledge) empowers moral action, leading to preservation and prosperity, while the absence of such truth, manifest in deceitful speech, leads to destruction.

Practical Usage Examples:

• When faced with gossip or slander in a community, individuals grounded in truth (knowledge) can recognize the falsehoods, speak truthfully to defend the slandered, and thus bring deliverance from reputational damage.
• A student is pressured by peers to cheat (deceptive influence). By "knowledge" of right and wrong, and moral conviction, they resist the peer pressure, thus "delivering" themselves from a compromised integrity and potential academic ruin.
• A leader "destroys" an employee through constant, unfounded criticism and spreading negative rumors. A wise colleague (righteous, possessing knowledge) recognizes the pattern, discerning the malice, and by either interceding or giving sound advice, can help the victim find "deliverance."