Proverbs 24:12 kjv

If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?

Proverbs 24:12 nkjv

If you say, "Surely we did not know this," Does not He who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, does He not know it? And will He not render to each man according to his deeds?

Proverbs 24:12 niv

If you say, "But we knew nothing about this," does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done?

Proverbs 24:12 esv

If you say, "Behold, we did not know this," does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work?

Proverbs 24:12 nlt

Don't excuse yourself by saying, "Look, we didn't know."
For God understands all hearts, and he sees you.
He who guards your soul knows you knew.
He will repay all people as their actions deserve.

Proverbs 24 verses

Proverbs 24 12 Meaning

Proverbs 24:12 powerfully asserts the inescapable divine knowledge and accountability of humanity, especially regarding one's response (or lack thereof) to injustice or the suffering of others. It dismantles the excuse of ignorance for inaction, stating that the Almighty, who scrutinizes the deepest intentions of the heart and oversees every life, fully comprehends a person's true motives and awareness. Consequently, He will infallibly judge and reward each individual according to their actual deeds and their heart's true disposition.

Proverbs 24 12 Context

Proverbs chapter 24 is a collection of various wise sayings, often grouped thematically. Verses 11 and 12 form a distinct admonition concerning intervention in injustice. Verse 11 directly calls for active deliverance of those being led to destruction, particularly those unjustly condemned. Verse 12 serves as a direct and immediate counter-argument to the common human excuse of ignorance or indifference, which might arise from the challenge presented in the preceding verse. The verse implicitly addresses an audience that might turn a blind eye to the plight of others, assuming their inaction will go unnoticed or unpunished. It grounds the necessity for compassionate and just action in the reality of God's perfect knowledge and righteous judgment. Historically, in ancient Israel, communal responsibility and the importance of justice, especially for the vulnerable, were core tenets rooted in the Law. This proverb strongly affirms that any attempt to evade moral obligation by feigned ignorance or apathy is futile before the all-knowing God of Israel.

Proverbs 24 12 Word analysis

• "If you say": (Hebrew: כִּי־תֹאמַר, ki-tomar) - Introduces a common, often rhetorical, human declaration or excuse. It highlights the direct confrontation of a likely argument against intervention.
• "'Look,": (Hebrew: הִנֵּה, hinneh) - An interjection calling attention, emphasizing the commonality and casual nature of the impending excuse. It sets up the following phrase as a seemingly innocent statement.
• "we did not know this!'": (Hebrew: לֹא־יָדַעְנוּ, lo-yadanu) - The primary human defense: a claim of ignorance, unawareness, or a denial of understanding the severity or implications. Yada' (ידע) means to know, often implying an experiential or intimate knowledge, suggesting a claim of genuine lack of comprehension. This is presented as an unacceptable excuse before divine scrutiny.
• "Does not He who weighs": (Hebrew: הֲלֹא תֹּכֵן, halo tochen) - A rhetorical question anticipating an affirmative answer. Tochen (תֹּכֵן) literally means to weigh, measure, or appraise. It implies precise examination, like using scales to determine exact weight. Here, it denotes God's meticulous scrutiny of intentions and character, not just superficial actions.
• "the hearts": (Hebrew: לִבּוֹת, libbot) - Refers to the innermost being, the seat of intellect, will, emotions, and moral character. God's knowledge penetrates beyond outward appearance to the very core of a person's motives and hidden thoughts.
• "discern it?": (Hebrew: הוּא יָבִין, hu yavin) - Yavin (יָבִין) means to understand, perceive, discern, or comprehend. God fully grasps the truth of the heart, exposing any pretense of ignorance.
• "Does not He who keeps": (Hebrew: וְנֹצֵר, ve'notser) - Notser (נֹצֵר) means to watch, guard, preserve, or observe. It conveys God's intimate and continuous oversight of an individual's life, implying comprehensive knowledge of their existence and state.
• "your soul": (Hebrew: נַפְשְׁךָ, nafshecha) - Nefesh (נֶפֶשׁ) typically refers to life, a living being, the person themselves, or the soul. Here, it signifies one's entire self, life, and inner essence. God not only weighs the heart but knows and guards every aspect of a person's being.
• "know it?": (Hebrew: הוּא יֵדָע, hu yeda') - A reiteration of God's perfect knowledge, serving to amplify the rhetorical point that there is no detail about which God is uninformed.
• "And will He not render": (Hebrew: וְהוּא יָשִׁיב, ve'hu yashiv) - Yashiv (יָשִׁיב) means to return, repay, give back, or render. It emphasizes the principle of divine recompense or retribution.
• "to each one": (Hebrew: לְאִישׁ, le'ish) - Refers to every individual, emphasizing personal and impartial accountability.
• "according to his deeds?": (Hebrew: כְּפָעֳלוֹ, ke'fo'alo) - Po'al (פָעֳל) refers to one's work, action, or accomplishment. This concludes the argument with the foundational principle of divine justice: consequences are directly tied to actions, whether of commission or omission.

Words-group analysis:

• "He who weighs the hearts discern it": This phrase underlines God's omniscient perception of hidden motives and intentions. He sees beyond mere words or external appearances, knowing the truth of a person's inner disposition. This is crucial as a person's heart (inner self) dictates their actions, or lack thereof.
• "He who keeps your soul know it": This extends God's knowledge from the internal heart to the whole of one's being and life. It suggests an active guardianship or observation, ensuring that nothing is hidden from Him. The intimate knowledge of one's soul implies complete awareness of one's consciousness and every decision made or avoided.
• "will He not render to each one according to his deeds?": This is the divine principle of ultimate justice. It asserts that there will be a just reckoning where outcomes perfectly align with actions and motives. This applies equally to overt acts and silent omissions, particularly in the face of opportunities to do good, as implied by the context of rescuing those led to slaughter in the preceding verse.

Proverbs 24 12 Bonus section

The Hebrew parallelism within this verse (Weighs the hearts... discern it? / Keeps your soul... know it?) powerfully reinforces the theme of God's complete and perfect knowledge, leaving no room for excuses. The progression from "weighs the hearts" to "keeps your soul" shows a deepening and broadening of God's awareness—from the internal seat of motive to the very fabric of one's life. The rhetorical structure is a common teaching device in wisdom literature, drawing the listener to an undeniable truth. This verse is not merely a threat of judgment but also an encouragement for righteous living, affirming that God sees and honors good deeds just as He holds inaction accountable. It reinforces that divine justice is both discerning and certain, forming a fundamental bedrock of faith for those seeking to walk in truth.

Proverbs 24 12 Commentary

Proverbs 24:12 stands as a potent divine rebuke to complacency and deliberate ignorance. It systematically dismantles any human attempt to shirk moral responsibility by claiming unawareness or apathy. The core message is clear: the Most High God possesses an unchallengeable omniscience. He does not merely observe outward conduct; He penetrates the depths of the heart, discerning genuine motives, secret thoughts, and hidden awareness.

The rhetorical questions serve as forceful affirmations: God indeed "weighs" (examines meticulously) the very intentions of the "hearts" (our innermost being), detecting all pretense. He "knows" (with perfect understanding) our "soul" (our entire life and existence). Since He possesses such comprehensive knowledge of our internal state and external actions, it is a certainty that He will "render to each one according to his deeds"—a universal principle of divine justice.

This verse compels believers to act with compassion and righteousness, especially when witnessing injustice or suffering, understanding that their true response is known and will be judged by the Lord. It serves as a strong call to cultivate not only outward rectitude but also inward integrity, recognizing that genuine spiritual life is transparent to the Most High. There are no safe excuses for inaction rooted in apathy or claims of ignorance; every person stands accountable. For practical application, this verse prompts us to examine our conscience when we rationalize inaction, reminds us that indifference to others' suffering is a serious matter, and reinforces the call to proactive kindness, knowing our Heavenly Father sees and judges all things.