Proverbs 21:12 kjv

The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness.

Proverbs 21:12 nkjv

The righteous God wisely considers the house of the wicked, Overthrowing the wicked for their wickedness.

Proverbs 21:12 niv

The Righteous One takes note of the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.

Proverbs 21:12 esv

The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked; he throws the wicked down to ruin.

Proverbs 21:12 nlt

The Righteous One knows what is going on in the homes of the wicked;
he will bring disaster on them.

Proverbs 21 verses

Proverbs 21 12 Meaning

The righteous person, through spiritual discernment, profoundly understands the true nature and inevitable demise of the wicked's entire domain and future ("house"). This understanding is coupled with the assurance that God, in His sovereign justice, will ultimately dismantle and destroy the wicked and their enterprises due to their inherent evil. While the righteous "considers," the divine agent implicitly or explicitly "overthrows."

Proverbs 21 12 Context

Proverbs chapter 21 frequently contrasts the path and outcome of the righteous with that of the wicked. This specific verse (v.12) is part of a larger theme within Proverbs and wisdom literature that underscores God's moral order in the universe. It addresses a common observation or perplexity: why do the wicked sometimes appear to prosper? The proverb provides a divine perspective, revealing that this prosperity is deceptive and temporary. The "house of the wicked" refers not merely to a physical structure but metaphorically to their entire domain, lineage, security, influence, and accumulated wealth and power—everything they establish and cherish. Historically and culturally, a man's "house" encompassed his family, reputation, legacy, and material holdings. This verse assures the original audience, who lived under the justice system of God's covenant, that ultimate justice prevails. It directly challenges any notion that the wicked's success is stable or a sign of divine indifference, acting as a polemic against superficial appearances and encouraging faith in God's perfect judgment.

Proverbs 21 12 Word analysis

• The righteous (צַדִּיק, tsaddiq): Refers to a person who lives in conformity with God's moral law, is just, upright, and innocent. In Proverbs, this is not a declaration of inherent perfection but a description of character developed by devotion to Yahweh and adherence to wisdom.

• considers (מַשְׂכִּיל, maskil): Derived from the root שָׂכַל (sakhal), meaning to be wise, discern, understand, or prosper through insight. It's more than merely observing; it implies a deep, intelligent, discerning consideration leading to profound comprehension. The righteous wisely apprehends the true state of affairs. This verb also carries a nuance of causing understanding or acting wisely.

• the house of (בֵּית, beit): Literally "house." In Hebrew thought, "house" signifies much more than a building. It encompasses the entire household, family, lineage, possessions, enterprise, and future. It speaks to one's foundation, stability, reputation, and legacy.

• the wicked (רָשָׁע, rasha): Refers to those who are guilty, unrighteous, condemned, or morally corrupt. They defy God's standards and ethical conduct. This term is consistently contrasted with tsaddiq in Proverbs.

• he overthrows (יְסַלֵּף, yesalef): From the root סָלַף (salaf), meaning to pervert, overturn, ruin, destroy, subvert. This is a strong verb indicating complete destruction or reversal. There's a notable textual variant here: most modern English translations (ESV, NIV, NASB) render "he overthrows," leaving the subject as the implied agent. The Masoretic Text (MT) supports this reading. However, the King James Version reads "but God overthroweth," likely influenced by some ancient versions (LXX) or a theological interpretation that attributes such ultimate acts of judgment directly to God. Scholarly consensus generally adheres to the MT, interpreting the "he" either as the "righteous" (in which case the tsaddiq brings about the wicked's downfall through wisdom/exposure) or more commonly as God (God is the implicit agent of justice, whose judgment the tsaddiq discerns and participates in). Given the immediate context and general biblical teaching on divine retribution, the "he" strongly points to God as the ultimate and sovereign "overthrower."

• the wicked (רְשָׁעִים, resha'im): The plural form of rasha, indicating all who embody wickedness.

• for their evil (לְרָעָה, le'ra'ah): "For their evil" or "because of their wickedness/evil." This prepositional phrase indicates the cause or reason for the overthrow—it is a direct consequence of their sinfulness and actions. It signifies divine justice, not arbitrary destruction.

• "The righteous considers" (Tsaddiq maskil): This phrase emphasizes the insightful understanding of the godly person. It suggests a profound contemplation and recognition of spiritual realities beyond surface appearances. The righteous doesn't just look, but comprehends the inherent instability and ultimate trajectory of the wicked.

• "the house of the wicked" (Beit rasha): This is a powerful metaphor for everything the wicked establishes, builds, or possesses. It refers to their lineage, their power base, their financial dealings, their legacy – the entirety of their seemingly secure existence. The righteous person grasps the illusory nature of this security.

• "he overthrows the wicked for their evil" (Yesalef resha'im le'ra'ah): This highlights divine causality and justice. Regardless of the immediate agent of the overthrow (whether implied divine action or human instrument of judgment), the destruction is direct and intentional. The wicked's own depravity is the cause for their ultimate downfall. This isn't random misfortune but precise retribution for their conduct.

Proverbs 21 12 Bonus section

• This proverb implicitly serves as a counter-narrative to common human observations where the wicked often seem to thrive unpunished. It refocuses attention on God's ultimate justice, providing assurance and guiding a wise response (not envy, but discernment).
• The phrase "he overthrows" being attributed implicitly to God is a testament to the theological backbone of Proverbs: God's active involvement in maintaining moral order and ensuring consequences for all actions, though not always immediately visible.
• The righteous person's "considering" or "understanding" (maskil) isn't just passive observation, but a deep spiritual discernment that aligns their perspective with God's, enabling them to navigate life wisely and not be ensnared by the wicked's ways or fortunes.

Proverbs 21 12 Commentary

Proverbs 21:12 offers a profound insight into God's moral governance of the world, a core theme within biblical wisdom literature. It portrays the "righteous" individual not as merely virtuous, but as possessing a divine wisdom (maskil) that allows them to "consider" — to truly understand and discern — the precarious nature of the "house of the wicked." This "house" represents the entirety of the wicked's life: their perceived stability, prosperity, influence, and future. While the wicked might seem successful for a time, the discerning righteous sees through this facade to grasp the inevitable, divinely ordained end. The second half of the verse confirms this end: "he overthrows the wicked for their evil." This "he" refers to God as the ultimate judge. The downfall is not coincidental or a matter of chance; it is a direct consequence of their wickedness, brought about by divine justice. The proverb encourages patience and faith in God's perfect timing and righteousness, assuring believers that God meticulously orchestrates the unraveling of evil, validating the upright path. This understanding protects the righteous from envy or despair over the temporary prosperity of the wicked.