---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Proverbs 12"
description: "CHAPTER 12   :-. 1. loveth knowledge—as the
fruit of instruction or training ( :-). hateth reproof— ( :-). brutish—stupid,
regardless of his own welfare ("
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/proverbs/12"
---

CHAPTER 12

.

**1. loveth knowledge**—as the
fruit of instruction or training ().
**hateth reproof**— ().
**brutish**—stupid,
regardless of his own welfare ([Psalms 49:10](../../../kjv/psalms/49/10);
[Psalms 73:22](../../../kjv/psalms/73/22)).

**3.** Wickedness cannot give
permanent prosperity.
**root . . . not be moved**—firm
as a flourishing tree— ([Psalms 1:3](../../../kjv/psalms/1/3);
[Psalms 15:5](../../../kjv/psalms/15/5); [Jeremiah 17:8](../../../kjv/jeremiah/17/8)).

**4. A virtuous woman**—in the
wide sense of well-disposed to all moral duties ().
**maketh ashamed**—that is,
by misconduct.
**rottenness**—an incurable
evil.

**5. thoughts**—or, "purposes."
**are right**—literally,
"are judgment," that is, true decisions.
**counsels**—(Compare ).
**deceit**—contrary to
truth and honesty.

**6. The words**—or, "expressed
designs" of the wicked are for evil purposes.
**the mouth**—or, "words"
of the righteous delivering instead of ensnaring men.

**7.** Such conduct brings a proper
return, by the destruction of the wicked and well-being of the
righteous and his family.

**8. despised**—as opposed to
*commended* ([Proverbs 11:12](../../../kjv/proverbs/11/12)).
**perverse heart**—or,
"wicked principles," as opposed to one of wisdom.

**9. despised**—held in little
repute, obscure ([1 Samuel 18:23](../../../kjv/1-samuel/18/23);
[Isaiah 3:5](../../../kjv/isaiah/3/5)).
**hath a servant**—implying
some means of honest living.
**honoureth himself**—is
self-conceited.

**10. regardeth**—literally,
"knoweth" ([Psalms 1:6](../../../kjv/psalms/1/6)).
**mercies . . . cruel**—as
acts of compassion ungraciously rendered to the needy. The righteous
more regards a beast than the wicked a man.

**11.** The idler's fate is the
result of indolence and want of principle ([Proverbs 6:32](../../../kjv/proverbs/6/32);
[Proverbs 7:7](../../../kjv/proverbs/7/7)).

**12. the wicked . . . evil**—They
love the crafty arts of deception.
**the root . . . fruit**—their
own resources supply them; or, it may be rendered: "He (God)
giveth, or, sets ([Ezekiel 17:22](../../../kjv/ezekiel/17/22))
the root of the righteous," and hence it is firm: or, the verb
is impersonal; "As to the root . . . it is firm" ([Ezekiel 17:22](../../../kjv/ezekiel/17/22)).

**13, 14. The wicked is snared,**
&c.—The sentiment expanded. While the wicked, such as liars,
flatterers, &c., fall by their own words, the righteous are
unhurt. Their good conduct makes friends, and God rewards them.

**15. The way . . . eyes**—The
fool is self-conceited (compare [Proverbs 12:1](../../../kjv/proverbs/12/1);
[Proverbs 1:32](../../../kjv/proverbs/1/32); [Proverbs 10:17](../../../kjv/proverbs/10/17);
[James 3:17](../../../kjv/james/3/17)).

**16. prudent . . . shame**—He is
slow to denounce his insulters ().

**18. speaketh**—literally,
"speaketh hastily," or indiscreetly (), as an angry man retorts harsh and provoking invectives.
**tongue . . . health**—by
soothing and gentle language.

**19.** Words of truth are
consistent, and stand all tests, while lies are soon discovered and
exposed.

**20. that imagine**—or, "plan"
([Proverbs 3:29](../../../kjv/proverbs/3/29)). They design a
deceitful course, to which, with all its evils and dangers to others
and themselves, the happiness of peace-makers is opposed (compare
[Matthew 5:9](../../../kjv/matthew/5/9); [Romans 12:18](../../../kjv/romans/12/18)).

**21. no evil**—(as in ), under God's wise limitations ().
**mischief**—as penal evil.

**22. deal truly**—or,
"faithfully," that is, according to promises (compare ).

**23. concealeth**—by his modesty
([Proverbs 10:14](../../../kjv/proverbs/10/14); [Proverbs 11:13](../../../kjv/proverbs/11/13)).
**heart . . . proclaimeth**—as
his lips speak his thoughts (compare [Proverbs 11:13](../../../kjv/proverbs/11/13)).

**24. slothful**—(Compare *Margin*),
so called because he fails to meet his promises.
**under tribute**—not
denoting legal taxes, but the obligation of dependence.

**25. a good word**—one of
comfort.

**26. more excellent**—(Compare
*Margin*); or, "more successful," while the wicked
fail; or, we may read it: "The righteous guides his friend,
but," &c., that is, The ability of the righteous to aid
others is contrasted with the ruin to which the way of the wicked
leads themselves.

**27.** (Compare ).
**took in hunting**—or,
"his venison." He does not improve his advantages.
**the substance . . .
precious**—or, "the wealth of a man of honor is being
diligent," or "diligence."
**precious**—literally,
"honor" ([Ecclesiastes 10:1](../../../kjv/ecclesiastes/10/1)).

**28.** (Compare [Proverbs 8:8](../../../kjv/proverbs/8/8);
[Proverbs 8:20](../../../kjv/proverbs/8/20), c.). A sentiment often
stated here first affirmatively, then negatively.

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