Proverbs 21:29 kjv
A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way.
Proverbs 21:29 nkjv
A wicked man hardens his face, But as for the upright, he establishes his way.
Proverbs 21:29 niv
The wicked put up a bold front, but the upright give thought to their ways.
Proverbs 21:29 esv
A wicked man puts on a bold face, but the upright gives thought to his ways.
Proverbs 21:29 nlt
The wicked bluff their way through,
but the virtuous think before they act.
Proverbs 21 29 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jer 5:3 | O LORD, do Your eyes not look for truth? You have struck them, but they felt no pain; You have consumed them, but they refused to accept correction. They have made their faces harder than rock... | Wicked harden hearts against correction. |
| Ezek 3:7 | But the house of Israel will not be willing to listen to you, for they are not willing to listen to me; for all the house of Israel are of a hard forehead and an obstinate heart. | Wicked have a "hard forehead" and obstinate heart. |
| Ex 32:9 | The LORD said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and behold, they are a stiff-necked people." | Stubbornness, unwillingness to bend. |
| Deut 9:27 | Remember Your servants, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob... Do not look at the stubbornness of this people, or at their wickedness or their sin. | Acknowledgment of Israel's persistent stubbornness. |
| Rom 2:5 | But because of your hardness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God. | Hardness of heart leads to divine judgment. |
| Heb 3:13 | But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. | Sin leads to hardened hearts. |
| Ps 119:59 | I considered my ways and turned my feet to Your testimonies. | The righteous introspects and turns to God's word. |
| Lam 3:40 | Let us test and examine our ways, and let us return to the LORD! | Call to self-examination and repentance. |
| Hag 1:5 | Now, therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways. | Divine command to consider one's actions. |
| Hag 1:7 | Thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways. | Repeated divine command to consider actions. |
| 2 Cor 13:5 | Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! | Self-examination for spiritual state. |
| Gal 6:4 | But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. | Individuals should examine their own actions. |
| Ps 1:1-6 | Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked... but his delight is in the law of the LORD... The wicked are not so... the way of the wicked will perish. | Contrast between the blessed (righteous) and the wicked, their paths and fates. |
| Prov 4:18 | But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day. | The path of the righteous is progressive and clear. |
| Prov 4:19 | The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble. | The path of the wicked is obscure and dangerous. |
| Matt 7:13-14 | Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life... | Two contrasting paths, one wide (wicked) and one narrow (righteous). |
| Prov 3:5-6 | Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. | Acknowledging God for straight paths. |
| Ps 37:23 | The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in His way. | God establishes the steps of the upright. |
| Prov 14:15 | The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps. | The wise gives careful thought to their actions, echoing "considers his ways." |
| Ecc 12:13 | The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. | Ultimate duty of humanity, aligned with considering one's ways before God. |
| Matt 12:35 | The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. | Character manifests in actions, highlighting inherent nature. |
| James 1:22-24 | But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror... | Being a "doer" relates to examining and aligning one's actions. |
Proverbs 21 verses
Proverbs 21 29 Meaning
Proverbs 21:29 contrasts the distinct dispositions of two individuals: the wicked and the upright. A wicked person confronts situations with a defiant, unyielding, and impudent stance, unwilling to acknowledge wrongdoing or adjust their path. In stark opposition, the upright individual is characterized by careful introspection and a diligent examination of their conduct, seeking to align their life with righteousness and God's standards.
Proverbs 21 29 Context
Proverbs 21:29 stands as a succinct, powerful aphorism within the wisdom literature of Proverbs. This chapter, like much of the book, focuses on contrasting the behavior, character, and outcomes of the wicked and the righteous, offering moral instruction for wise living. Many verses in Proverbs 21 highlight the consequences of various actions and attitudes (e.g., proper justice, wealth and righteousness, the diligent and the sluggard). Verse 29 specifically emphasizes the differing approaches to self-reflection and personal accountability between these two distinct types of individuals.
Historically and culturally, wisdom literature in ancient Israel, including Proverbs, sought to teach people how to navigate life righteously within God's covenant. It frequently used antithetical parallelism to starkly differentiate acceptable and unacceptable conduct. "Hardening the face" would have been understood as a clear sign of arrogance and defiance, an unwillingness to show remorse or respond to admonition, culturally seen as extremely rude and disrespectful. Conversely, "considering one's ways" denotes a crucial aspect of personal growth and covenant faithfulness, showing humility and a desire to walk in alignment with divine wisdom.
Proverbs 21 29 Word analysis
- A wicked man (רָשָׁע, rasha): This Hebrew term denotes a person who is actively unrighteous, impious, or guilty. It suggests more than mere moral failing; it implies spiritual rebellion or antagonism toward God's law and standards. The rasha is characterized by persistent opposition to righteousness.
- hardens his face (הֵעֵז פָּנָיו, he'ez panav): This is an idiom meaning to act defiantly, shamelessly, impudently, or stubbornly. Hê'êz (from עזז, 'azaz) means to strengthen, make firm, or embolden. Panav (פָּנָיו) refers to one's face. The phrase depicts a person who sets their countenance firmly, indicating an unyielding resolve to resist truth, correction, or conviction. It portrays an individual who is not ashamed of their wrongdoings, rejecting any sense of humility or penitence.
- but as for the upright (וְיָשָׁר, v'yashar): V'yashar means "and the upright" or "as for the upright." Yashar denotes one who is straight, righteous, just, or pleasing in God's eyes. It signifies integrity and conformity to divine principles. This introduces the contrast, shifting focus to a different type of character.
- he considers his ways (הוּא יָכִין דַּרְכּוֹ, hu yakhin darko): Literally, "he establishes/prepares his way" or "makes his way firm." The verb yakhin (from כוּן, kun) means to establish, prepare, direct, or make firm. Darko (דַּרְכּוֹ) refers to his way, path, or conduct. This phrase describes someone who carefully examines, directs, or stabilizes their course of life. It implies thoughtful deliberation, self-correction, and conscious effort to ensure their path is consistent with righteousness and divine guidance, leading to a secure and proper foundation for their life.
Words-group analysis:
- The phrase "A wicked man hardens his face" conveys an unbending, defiant posture. This person is characterized by insolence, unwilling to be influenced by truth, conscience, or the reproof of others. Their refusal to yield shows a deep-seated resistance to acknowledging error or guilt, driven by pride or a love for darkness.
- In contrast, "but as for the upright, he considers his ways" describes a person who practices introspection and discernment. They actively evaluate their conduct, striving to align it with God's will. This isn't passive reflection but an intentional process of preparing, setting, or correcting their path, leading to stability and integrity. This dichotomy highlights two fundamental life approaches: one of defiant autonomy versus one of humble accountability.
Proverbs 21 29 Bonus section
The "hardened face" (הֵעֵז פָּנָיו) can also imply a loss or absence of shame. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, showing shame was a prerequisite for repentance and restoration. To have a "hardened face" meant one had abandoned all sense of disgrace or modesty regarding their transgressions, effectively cutting off a pathway to moral improvement. This stubborn impenitence is a deep spiritual issue, a conscious closing off of oneself to correction from God, man, or even conscience.
For the upright, "he considers his ways" (הוּא יָכִין דַּרְכּוֹ) is not just intellectual reflection but often leads to practical realignment. The Hebrew verb kun can imply preparing or establishing. So, the upright individual doesn't just think about their ways, but actively prepares them, directs them, and establishes them on a firm, righteous foundation, rather than letting life unfold without intention. This active formation of one's path reflects the intentionality of a life lived according to God's will, ensuring stability and purpose.
Proverbs 21 29 Commentary
Proverbs 21:29 paints a vivid picture of two antithetical characters and their foundational approaches to life and personal accountability. The "wicked man" embodies an unyielding will, presenting a "hardened face" not merely as a look of determination but as an active rejection of shame, conviction, or any call to repentance. This fixed, brazen countenance is a mark of defiance against truth and moral boundaries, an unwillingness to adjust their course despite evident wrong or societal reproof. They refuse to humble themselves or acknowledge their errors.
Conversely, the "upright" individual demonstrates an entirely different disposition. They "consider their ways"—a dynamic and active process of internal examination. This isn't a fleeting thought but a deliberate action of scrutinizing their path, aligning their actions, motives, and decisions with divine standards. This proactive introspection ensures their stability (yakhin darko suggests making their way firm or establishing it securely) and guides them away from pitfalls, maintaining their integrity before God and others. The verse, therefore, powerfully teaches that true uprightness involves a continual, humble self-assessment and responsiveness to divine guidance, starkly opposed to the self-assured, unrepentant arrogance of the wicked.
Practical examples:
- Wicked man: A person caught in a lie doubles down and defiantly denies it, showing no remorse or willingness to admit fault, despite clear evidence.
- Upright person: After making a mistake, an individual thoughtfully reviews their actions, acknowledges where they went wrong, seeks forgiveness, and plans how to act differently next time, actively pursuing a better path.