Proverbs 12:8 kjv
A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.
Proverbs 12:8 nkjv
A man will be commended according to his wisdom, But he who is of a perverse heart will be despised.
Proverbs 12:8 niv
A person is praised according to their prudence, and one with a warped mind is despised.
Proverbs 12:8 esv
A man is commended according to his good sense, but one of twisted mind is despised.
Proverbs 12:8 nlt
A sensible person wins admiration,
but a warped mind is despised.
Proverbs 12 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 3:35 | The wise will inherit honor, but fools get only disgrace. | Wisdom brings honor; foolishness brings disgrace. |
| Prov 4:7-9 | Wisdom is the principal thing... She shall give to thine head an ornament… | Wisdom as source of adornment and honor. |
| Prov 8:12 | I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. | Wisdom brings practical discernment. |
| Prov 11:2 | When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. | Pride leads to disgrace; humility leads to wisdom. |
| Prov 14:24 | The crown of the wise is their riches... | Wisdom as true wealth and honor. |
| Prov 16:20 | Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he… | Applying wisdom leads to well-being and praise. |
| Prov 28:18 | Whoever walks in integrity will be delivered, but he who is devious... | Integrity brings deliverance; perversity leads astray. |
| Dan 12:3 | Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament… | Wisdom brings spiritual glory and recognition. |
| Ps 1:6 | For the Lord knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly... | God discerns and disapproves of the wicked. |
| Ps 119:21 | You rebuke the proud, the cursed, who wander from Your commandments. | God despises those who disregard His law. |
| Ps 139:21-22 | Do I not hate them, O Lord, who hate You? ...I count them my enemies. | Righteous anger against the perverse. |
| Isa 5:20 | Woe to those who call evil good and good evil... | Denounces perversion of moral values. |
| Jer 17:9-10 | The heart is deceitful above all things... I the Lord search the heart... | God's knowledge of the heart's true state. |
| Matt 15:18-19 | But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart... | Deeds reflect the inner heart's condition. |
| Mark 7:21-23 | For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts... | Evil actions stem from a corrupted heart. |
| Rom 2:29 | For circumcision is that of the heart... his praise is not from men... | True commendation comes from God, not just men. |
| 1 Cor 4:5 | ...until the Lord comes, who will bring to light the hidden things of darkness... | Ultimate judgment reveals hidden heart conditions. |
| Ps 62:12 | ...for You render to each one according to his work. | God's justice is based on actions, stemming from character. |
| Prov 10:29 | The way of the Lord is strength for the upright, but destruction for… | Contrasts outcomes for upright vs. wicked. |
| Prov 13:5 | A righteous man hates falsehood, but a wicked man brings shame and disgrace. | Righteous hate evil; wicked bring their own shame. |
| Prov 14:3 | In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise... | Pride brings a rod, while wisdom offers guidance. |
| Prov 15:26 | The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord: but the words… | God hates wicked thoughts stemming from the heart. |
| Prov 16:2 | All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the Lord weighs the spirits. | God evaluates the heart beyond outward appearance. |
| Prov 23:7 | For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. | The heart determines one's true nature. |
| Luke 16:15 | What is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God. | Human vs. divine commendation/despise. |
Proverbs 12 verses
Proverbs 12 8 Meaning
A person receives honor and praise in proportion to their spiritual understanding, discernment, and ethical conduct. Conversely, one whose inner character is morally corrupted, twisted, and deviates from righteousness will be met with contempt and scorn. The verse contrasts the societal and spiritual recognition that comes from true wisdom with the disgrace resulting from a depraved heart.
Proverbs 12 8 Context
Proverbs chapter 12 frequently employs antithetical parallelism, presenting sharp contrasts between the righteous and the wicked, or the wise and the foolish. Verse 8 aligns with this literary pattern by contrasting two distinct types of individuals and their resulting recognition or contempt. Within the broader book of Proverbs, wisdom (Hebrew: חָכְמָה, chokmah) is not merely intellectual capacity but a practical skill for living righteously, rooted in the "fear of the Lord" (Prov 1:7). It encompasses discernment, prudence, moral integrity, and the ability to navigate life's complexities in accordance with divine principles. Historically, ancient Israelite society valued wisdom highly, understanding it as essential for just governance, harmonious community, and personal well-being. This verse operates on a principle often observed in both divine and human judgment: sound judgment and ethical character lead to respect, while moral crookedness leads to social rejection.
Proverbs 12 8 Word analysis
- A person: From the Hebrew אִישׁ (ʾish), denoting a male individual, but often used generically for "man," "human being," or "person" in this wisdom context. It applies universally to humanity.
- is commended: From the Hophal imperfect verb יְהֻלַּל (yehullal), derived from the root הָלַל (halal), meaning "to praise," "to boast," "to extol," or "to commend." The Hophal stem implies that the subject is "caused to be praised" or "shall receive praise." It speaks of recognition and affirmation. This root is also the origin of "Hallelujah," meaning "Praise the Lord!"
- according to his wisdom: From the Hebrew עַל-פִּי שִׂכְלוֹ (ʿal-pī siḵlō), literally "by the mouth of his understanding" or "according to his good sense."
- עַל-פִּי (ʿal-pī): "according to the mouth of," often indicates conformity or standard.
- שִׂכְלוֹ (śiklō): From שֵׂכֶל (sekhel), meaning "understanding," "discernment," "insight," "prudence," or "good sense." It refers to practical intelligence, the ability to act prudently and thoughtfully, often with moral connotations, distinguishing right from wrong and wise choices from foolish ones. It's not abstract intellectualism but applied, ethical understanding.
- but one of perverse heart: From the Hebrew נִלְוֵה לֵב (nilweh lēḇ).
- נִלְוֵה (nilweh): The Niphal participle of לָוָה (lavah), meaning "to be joined," "to cling to," but in this form, more broadly understood as "perverse," "twisted," "deviated," "morally warped." It signifies a person who is crooked or goes astray from what is right.
- לֵב (lēḇ): "heart." In Hebrew thought, the "heart" is not merely the seat of emotions but the center of intellect, will, reason, moral character, and decision-making. A "perverse heart" is fundamentally flawed in its moral orientation.
- shall be despised: From the Niphal imperfect verb יִבֶּז (yibbez), derived from the root בּוּז (buz), meaning "to despise," "to scorn," "to disdain," or "to hold in contempt." It denotes being viewed as worthless or ignoble by others, a complete loss of honor.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- "A person is commended according to his wisdom": This phrase establishes the direct correlation between internal character (wisdom/discernment) and external affirmation (praise/honor). True commendation stems from a person's prudent judgment and right conduct, not superficial qualities. This wisdom is not just cleverness, but righteous living according to divine principles, leading to social approval and, ultimately, God's favor.
- "but one of perverse heart shall be despised": This phrase starkly contrasts the previous one. The "perverse heart" refers to someone whose core moral compass is skewed, leading to crooked behavior, dishonesty, and opposition to what is right. Such inner corruption inevitably results in societal disdain and loss of respect. This highlights that inner moral condition dictates external perception and fate.
Proverbs 12 8 Bonus section
The commendation spoken of in Prov 12:8 often implies human praise and respect within society, but it inherently echoes divine approval. The Lord searches the heart (Jer 17:9-10) and is the ultimate Judge of one's wisdom or perversity (1 Sam 16:7). The despised state of the perverse-hearted is a natural outworking of their character in community, but it also reflects a state of separation from God's favor. True wisdom, in the biblical sense, is God-centered and God-fearing, thus linking human commendation to divine blessing. The verse implicitly discourages reliance on superficial measures of success or appearance, stressing the paramount importance of internal character (heart) and its manifestation through wisdom.
Proverbs 12 8 Commentary
Proverbs 12:8 serves as a concise statement about character and consequence. It teaches that the wisdom being discussed is a moral and practical intelligence, influencing one's decisions, speech, and actions. Such wisdom, rooted in divine truth, naturally draws the commendation and respect of others because it leads to good outcomes, justice, and societal harmony. This commendation is not necessarily public acclaim but the quiet respect and positive reputation a wise person accrues. Conversely, a "perverse heart" indicates a mind and will that are morally crooked, resistant to righteousness, and prone to wickedness. This inward depravity inevitably leads to behaviors that incite scorn and disdain, demonstrating that moral character ultimately determines a person's standing, both among people and before God. This verse warns that trying to gain commendation through outward show or deceptive means while holding a perverse heart is futile; true worth is recognized, while perversion is unveiled and despised.