Proverbs 15:29 kjv
The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.
Proverbs 15:29 nkjv
The LORD is far from the wicked, But He hears the prayer of the righteous.
Proverbs 15:29 niv
The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
Proverbs 15:29 esv
The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
Proverbs 15:29 nlt
The LORD is far from the wicked,
but he hears the prayers of the righteous.
Proverbs 15 29 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 59:1-2 | Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened...but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God... | Sin creates separation. |
| Psa 66:18 | If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me. | Unconfessed sin hinders prayer. |
| Joh 9:31 | We know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him. | God hears those who worship and obey. |
| Prov 1:28 | Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me. | God withdraws from persistent rebellion. |
| Zec 7:13 | "As I called and they would not hear, so they called and I would not hear,” says the Lord of hosts. | Reciprocal non-listening. |
| Jer 14:12 | “Though they fast, I will not hear their cry; and though they offer burnt offering...I will not accept them...” | Ritual without righteousness is rejected. |
| Hos 5:6 | They shall go with their flocks and with their herds to seek the Lord, but they will not find Him; He has withdrawn from them. | God's withdrawal due to unfaithfulness. |
| Deu 31:17 | ...so that they will say in that day, ‘Have not these evils come upon us because our God is not among us?’ | The absence of God due to apostasy. |
| Psa 34:15 | The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry. | God watches and hears the righteous. |
| 1 Pet 3:12 | For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil. | NT echo, affirming divine attentiveness to the righteous. |
| Jam 5:16 | The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. | Efficacy of righteous prayer. |
| Psa 34:17 | When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. | God hears and delivers the righteous. |
| Psa 145:18 | The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth. | God's nearness to sincere callers. |
| Psa 145:19 | He fulfills the desire of those who fear Him; He also hears their cry and saves them. | God fulfills the desires of the fearing. |
| Prov 10:24 | ...the desire of the righteous will be granted. | Righteous desires are met. |
| Mat 7:7-8 | Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives... | Promise for those who sincerely seek God. |
| 1 Joh 3:22 | And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do what pleases Him. | Obedience precedes answered prayer. |
| Heb 11:6 | ...anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. | Faith is essential for divine favor. |
| Luk 18:9-14 | Parable of Pharisee and Tax Collector: Tax collector’s repentant prayer heard, Pharisee’s self-righteous prayer rejected. | Humility and repentance lead to God's favor. |
| Isa 1:15-17 | "When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood. Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds... learn to do good..." | Moral action required for effective prayer. |
| Rom 8:26-27 | ...the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And He who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. | Spirit-led prayer aligned with God's will (righteousness in Christ). |
Proverbs 15 verses
Proverbs 15 29 Meaning
Proverbs 15:29 teaches a fundamental truth about divine interaction: God's relationship and responsiveness are determined by human moral and spiritual character. He is intentionally distant from those who live in opposition to His ways, indicating a withholding of favor and an unwillingness to engage with their appeals. Conversely, He draws near to and attentively answers the prayers of those who live righteously, showing His favorable acceptance and active intervention in their lives.
Proverbs 15 29 Context
Proverbs 15:29 is part of a larger collection of wisdom sayings (Proverbs 10:1-22:16) which typically consist of antithetical couplets. These couplets present contrasting behaviors or outcomes to highlight the consequences of wise versus foolish, or righteous versus wicked living. Chapter 15 itself frequently contrasts the wise and the fool, and highlights the power and significance of words, the condition of the heart, and divine oversight. This specific proverb fits perfectly into this didactic structure, articulating a core principle of divine justice and moral governance. The original audience would understand "righteousness" in terms of covenant faithfulness and adherence to God's revealed law, contrasting sharply with the "wicked" who reject or defy divine precepts.
Proverbs 15 29 Word analysis
- The Lord (YHWH - יהוה): This is the personal, covenant name of God in Israel, emphasizing His unique identity as the sovereign and faithful God who makes promises and keeps them. It is not just "a god" but the God who judges justly.
- is far from (râḥoq - רָחֹוק): This signifies a state of detachment, alienation, or disfavor. It's not a spatial distance in God's omnipresence but a relational one, implying a lack of blessing, intervention, or favorable attention. God deliberately withholds His intimate presence and aid.
- the wicked (râšā‘ - רָשָׁע): This term denotes one who is guilty, legally condemned, ungodly, or unjust. It speaks of a consistent moral character marked by disregard for God's law and principles, often manifesting in oppression or rebellion. It's not about a single sin, but a state of heart.
- but he hears (šāma‘ - שָׁמַע): More than just "to perceive sound," this word implies attentiveness, acceptance, and a readiness to respond favorably or act upon what is heard. It denotes God's acknowledgment and active engagement.
- the prayer (těpillâ - תְּפִלָּה): This refers to a supplication, intercession, or direct address to God, specifically an act of humble petition.
- of the righteous (ṣaddîq - צַדִּיק): This describes one who is just, upright, vindicated, or innocent, living in conformity to God’s standards and walking in obedience to His covenant. Their lifestyle is pleasing to God.
Words-group analysis:
- "The Lord is far from the wicked": This phrase establishes God's posture of judgment and separation from those whose lives are characterized by sin and defiance. It highlights a moral gap, where divine blessing and intimate relationship are withheld. This is a deliberate, volitional act by God, not a forced outcome.
- "but he hears the prayer of the righteous": This sharply contrasting phrase reveals God's responsiveness and close relationship with those who align their lives with His will. "Hears" here denotes active and favorable attention, indicating that the prayers of the righteous are acceptable and effective before God. This illustrates God's active involvement in the lives of His faithful.
Proverbs 15 29 Bonus section
The "distance" and "hearing" spoken of here are expressions of God's holy nature. God cannot bless or approve of evil, thus He withholds His favor from the wicked. His justice demands separation from iniquity. However, His very nature is to draw near to those who genuinely seek Him and walk in integrity. This proverb implicitly lays the groundwork for the necessity of repentance: for the wicked to be heard, they must move from their wickedness to a state of righteousness—a spiritual transformation. In the New Testament, this "righteousness" finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, through whom believers are made righteous by faith, enabling all who believe to draw near to God with confidence (Heb 4:16; 10:19-22). The "prayer of the righteous" thus encompasses the Spirit-empowered prayer of those in Christ.
Proverbs 15 29 Commentary
Proverbs 15:29 encapsulates a foundational principle of the Kingdom of God: the efficacy of one's approach to the divine is predicated upon their moral and spiritual standing. It is not ritual or mere utterance that determines God's response, but the character of the supplicant. God's distance from the "wicked" signifies a rejection of their prayers—not because He cannot physically hear, but because their hearts are estranged from Him. Their petitions, being rooted in rebellion or self-interest apart from genuine repentance, are not congruent with His character or purposes. Conversely, God leans in to "hear" the righteous, meaning He pays favorable attention and responds with action to those whose lives are aligned with His will. This righteousness, though imperfect in human experience, is marked by sincere seeking, obedience, and a humble heart before God. This proverb calls believers to self-examination, encouraging a life of consistent godliness as the pathway to a vibrant and responsive relationship with their Creator.