Proverbs 12:6 kjv

The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.

Proverbs 12:6 nkjv

The words of the wicked are, "Lie in wait for blood," But the mouth of the upright will deliver them.

Proverbs 12:6 niv

The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.

Proverbs 12:6 esv

The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright delivers them.

Proverbs 12:6 nlt

The words of the wicked are like a murderous ambush,
but the words of the godly save lives.

Proverbs 12 verses

Proverbs 12 6 Meaning

Proverbs 12:6 illuminates the destructive power of malicious speech contrasted with the redemptive capacity of righteous words. The wicked use their communication as a calculated trap to bring harm, violence, and death, while the just, through their truthful and wise utterances, serve as instruments of rescue and preservation for themselves or others. This verse emphasizes the profound spiritual and physical consequences of what comes from the mouth, portraying speech as an active force for either death or life.

Proverbs 12 6 Context

Proverbs chapter 12 forms part of the "Proverbs of Solomon" (Prov 10:1-22:16), characterized by its predominant use of antithetical parallelism where contrasting statements about the righteous and the wicked are juxtaposed. The overarching theme of this chapter, and indeed much of Proverbs, is the sharp distinction between those who live in alignment with God's wisdom (the upright) and those who disregard it (the wicked).

Verse 6 specifically focuses on the profound impact of spoken words, a recurring theme throughout Proverbs (e.g., Prov 10:11, Prov 15:4, Prov 18:21). It connects speech directly to life and death outcomes. In ancient Near Eastern societies, words carried immense weight; false accusations, slander, or incitement could readily lead to social ostracism, legal punishment, or even violence. This verse serves as a stern warning against using language to plot harm, reflecting a polemic against the pervasive social and moral dangers of deceptive speech prevalent in any age. It also offers assurance of divine protection for those whose communication is founded on truth.

Proverbs 12 6 Word analysis

• words (דִּבְרֵי, divre): From the root dabar, meaning to speak, declare, arrange. In this context, it refers not to mere utterances but to deliberate, organized expressions, plans, or counsels. Significance: It highlights the intentional, often cunning and premeditated, nature of the wicked's communication, not just spontaneous outbursts.

• wicked (רְשָׁעִים, r'sha'im): This plural noun refers to individuals characterized by a moral and spiritual crookedness, those who are unrighteous, guilty, and actively hostile towards God's ways and moral order. Significance: It identifies the character type from which such destructive words originate.

• lie in wait for (יֶאֱרֹב, ye'erov): From the verb 'arab, meaning to lie in ambush, to conspire, to stalk secretly, to hide with intent to attack. This is a vivid, active, and malevolent verb. Significance: It graphically illustrates the treachery and premeditated malice behind the wicked's verbal plots, akin to a hunter preparing to trap prey.

• blood (דָּם, dam): This noun literally means blood, but often extends metonymically to signify murder, violence, bloodshed, or the taking of life. It implies grievous harm leading to death. Significance: It specifies the deadly, ultimate consequence desired by the wicked through their treacherous words.

• mouth (פִּי, pi): From the noun peh, referring to the physical opening for speaking, but it represents the totality of one's speech, utterances, and often, the wisdom or folly expressed through them. Significance: It indicates the origin of righteous speech as opposed to the destructive "words" of the wicked.

• upright (צַדִּיקִים, tzaddiqim, or yesharim for "straight ones" but here tzaddiqim often preferred due to contrast with r'sha'im): Individuals who are just, righteous, morally correct, and live in conformity with God's established standards of truth and integrity. Significance: It identifies the virtuous character whose speech provides life and salvation.

• delivers them (יַצִּילֵם, yatzileim): From the verb natsal, meaning to rescue, snatch away, draw out, save, or preserve from danger or harm. The suffix "them" can refer to the righteous themselves or those imperiled by the wicked. Significance: It highlights the protective and life-saving impact of righteous communication, directly counteracting the murderous intent of the wicked.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood": This phrase paints a stark picture of speech as a covert, premeditated weapon. It describes the wicked not just uttering lies, but crafting verbal conspiracies, false accusations, or manipulative advice designed to entrap and destroy others. It conveys the deliberate intent of verbal actions to cause severe, life-threatening harm, making words equivalent to a concealed deadly weapon.
  • "but the mouth of the upright delivers them": This segment stands in sharp antithetical parallelism, offering hope and contrast. It suggests that the communication of the righteous—which encompasses truth-telling, wise counsel, honest defense, and integrity in speech—serves as an active force for rescue. This deliverance can apply to the righteous person themselves (defending against false charges) or to others who are targets of malicious plots. It underscores that truth spoken at the right moment can overturn destructive schemes and save lives.

Proverbs 12 6 Bonus section

• This proverb beautifully illustrates antithetical parallelism, a common literary device in Proverbs, contrasting two opposing ideas to highlight moral distinctions.
• The "blood" sought by the wicked is not always literal murder; it encompasses any act of extreme harm that fundamentally attacks the victim's life, whether reputation, livelihood, or peace.
• The deliverance offered by the upright's mouth underscores the protective hand of God, often working through the integrity and wisdom of His faithful people to foil the schemes of evil.
• The proverb reinforces the biblical teaching that words originate from the heart (Lk 6:45), revealing the true nature of an individual—whether righteous or wicked.

Proverbs 12 6 Commentary

Proverbs 12:6 encapsulates the moral and spiritual chasm between the wicked and the righteous, particularly as it manifests in their use of speech. The verse asserts that the words of the wicked are not merely careless or ill-advised, but are weaponized and designed with malevolent intent, literally "lying in wait for blood." This vividly portrays their speech as a hidden ambush, aimed at bringing about physical harm, ruin, or even death through false witness, slander, incitement, or carefully orchestrated deception. The term "blood" symbolizes the extreme consequences of their malice.

In stark contrast, "the mouth of the upright" functions as an instrument of deliverance. This indicates that righteous speech—characterized by truthfulness, integrity, wisdom, and justice—serves to rescue either the righteous themselves from the traps of the wicked, or others who are caught in peril. The righteous may deliver through truthful testimony, through offering sound advice that counters a destructive plan, or simply by embodying honesty that exposes deceit. This proverb highlights that words are profoundly consequential, acting as either agents of death or sources of life and salvation. It calls believers to discernment, reminding them that one's character is profoundly reflected in their speech, and that divine protection is often manifested through the wise words of His faithful.

Examples:

• For the wicked's words: Spreading a damaging false rumor about someone that leads to their social or professional ruin.
• For the upright's mouth: Speaking a courageous truth in a court of law that saves an innocent person from an unjust accusation.