Proverbs 27:12 kjv

A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.

Proverbs 27:12 nkjv

A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself; The simple pass on and are punished.

Proverbs 27:12 niv

The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.

Proverbs 27:12 esv

The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.

Proverbs 27:12 nlt

A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions.
The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences.

Proverbs 27 verses

Proverbs 27 12 Meaning

Proverbs 27:12 highlights a fundamental contrast between wisdom and foolishness in the face of impending trouble. It teaches that the wise, being perceptive and foreseeing, will discern coming danger and take proactive measures to avoid it, seeking protection. In contrast, the foolish, lacking such foresight or heedlessly disregarding warnings, will proceed without caution and inevitably suffer the negative consequences of their imprudence. This verse underscores the divine principle that choices have consequences, and foresight born of wisdom leads to safety, while naïveté leads to affliction.

Proverbs 27 12 Context

Proverbs 27 falls within a larger section (chapters 25-29) introduced as "Proverbs of Solomon copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah." This chapter covers various aspects of interpersonal relationships, character traits, and practical wisdom for daily life, often using simple, contrasting statements. The verse itself is a near-verbatim repetition of Proverbs 22:3, highlighting its profound importance as a core principle. The general theme of Proverbs is the promotion of practical wisdom ("Chokmah") that is rooted in the fear of the Lord (Pr 1:7). Historically, proverbs were pedagogical tools for teaching young men how to live well in a divinely ordered world, recognizing consequences for choices made. This particular proverb warns against spiritual, financial, or relational dangers, emphasizing the importance of discernment in a world filled with both good and evil.

Proverbs 27 12 Word analysis

• The prudent (Hebrew: עָרוּם, 'arum): This term signifies one who is cunning, shrewd, discerning, or artful. In a positive sense, as here, it refers to astuteness and practical intelligence that allows one to perceive hidden or future realities. It's the ability to see beyond the immediate, to think strategically and to understand potential consequences. It contrasts sharply with the "simple."
• foresees (Hebrew: יִרְאֶה, yir'eh from the root רָאָה, ra'ah): This is more than mere visual perception. It denotes intellectual comprehension, perceiving, understanding, or discerning something, often implying future foresight or insight into potential outcomes. The prudent individual does not just see trouble but comprehends its nature and trajectory.
• danger (Hebrew: רָעָה, ra'ah): This word encompasses evil, harm, calamity, trouble, or disaster. It's broad enough to refer to various forms of affliction, from natural calamities to the negative consequences of unwise choices, moral corruption, or attacks from enemies.
• hides himself (Hebrew: נִסְתָּר, nistār from the root סָתַר, satar): To conceal oneself, take refuge, or be hidden. This implies a deliberate and protective action, seeking a place of safety or taking precautionary measures to avoid the perceived harm. It is an active response born of discernment.
• The simple (Hebrew: פְּתָאיִם, peta'im): This refers to the naive, inexperienced, gullible, or open-minded in a negative sense. They lack discernment, wisdom, and often a moral compass. They are easily misled and do not possess the foresight to anticipate trouble or appreciate warnings. They are characterized by a lack of caution and thoughtfulness.
• pass on (Hebrew: עָבְרוּ, ʿāverū from the root עָבַר, 'abar): To pass through, continue, go on, or go beyond. This signifies their continued progression, perhaps oblivious or defiant, directly into the path of the danger that the prudent individual recognized and avoided. They persist on their course without altering it.
• suffer for it (Hebrew: וַיֵּעָנְשׁוּ, vayyeʿānešū from the root עָנַשׁ, 'anash): To be punished, pay a penalty, incur loss, or suffer consequences. This denotes the negative outcome that inevitably befalls those who ignore warning signs. Their foolish disregard for potential harm results in a punitive experience.

Words-group analysis:

• The prudent foresees danger, hides himself: This phrase establishes a chain of events: keen perception (prudence), identification of threat (danger), and intelligent, protective action (hides himself). It describes the active and intelligent response of one guided by wisdom.
• The simple pass on and suffer for it: This phrase portrays the contrasting behavior and outcome: naive indifference or ignorance (the simple), continuation without caution (pass on), and the resultant suffering (suffer for it). It emphasizes the natural consequences of foolishness in the moral order.

Proverbs 27 12 Bonus section

The repetition of this proverb (Pr 22:3 and Pr 27:12) underscores its essential nature within biblical wisdom literature, marking it as a principle of paramount importance for navigation through life. It implies that true wisdom is not merely theoretical knowledge but practical insight that directly influences one's behavior and ensures well-being. The "hiding" (taking refuge) by the prudent is not an act of cowardice but strategic self-preservation, demonstrating humility in recognizing limits and the reality of danger. This wisdom, at its deepest level, flows from a reverence for God, as the fear of the Lord is the beginning of all knowledge, equipping one to discern good from evil, safety from peril. The suffering of the simple highlights divine order; the consequences they face are often the natural outcome of their own choices, rather than an arbitrary punishment.

Proverbs 27 12 Commentary

Proverbs 27:12, a foundational proverb repeated from 22:3, encapsulates a timeless truth about cause and effect rooted in character. It is a stark contrast between two types of people: the discerning (prudent) and the undiscerning (simple). The prudent individual possesses foresight, not just recognizing present issues but perceiving future dangers before they fully materialize. This spiritual and practical discernment allows them to take timely evasive action, such as altering their course, seeking shelter, or making necessary preparations. Their wisdom leads to protection and avoidance of calamity.

Conversely, the "simple" are those who lack such discernment. They are often naïve, gullible, or simply unthinking, characterized by an inability or unwillingness to learn from observation, instruction, or consequences. They walk heedlessly into harm's way, disregarding subtle warnings or overt advice. This lack of preventative action invariably leads them to "suffer for it," meaning they experience the painful, often self-inflicted, consequences of their folly—be it financial loss, social disgrace, physical harm, or spiritual destruction. The verse underscores the consistent pattern of God's moral universe where wisdom brings blessing and foolishness brings hardship, urging believers to cultivate active discernment.

Examples: A prudent person saves money for unexpected emergencies; a simple person spends all their income frivolously. A prudent student prepares well in advance for exams; a simple one procrastinates. A prudent individual avoids morally compromising situations; a simple one carelessly engages, only to fall into sin. A wise Christian studies the Scriptures to discern false teachings; a simple one is easily swayed by popular, unbiblical doctrines.