Proverbs 12:6
Proverbs 12:6 in Multiple Translations
The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.
The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
The words of the wicked are of lying in wait for blood; But the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
The words of sinners are destruction for the upright; but the mouth of upright men is their salvation.
The words of the wicked are like a violent ambush, but those of honest people save them.
The talking of the wicked is to lye in waite for blood: but the mouth of the righteous will deliuer them.
The words of the wicked [are]: 'Lay wait for blood,' And the mouth of the upright delivereth them.
The words of the wicked are about lying in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.
The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood: the mouth of the just shall deliver them.
What wicked people say is like a trap [MET] that kills [MTY] people who pass by, but what righteous people say [MTY] rescues those whom wicked people threaten to harm.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 12:6
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Proverbs 12:6 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
דִּבְרֵ֣י
רְשָׁעִ֣ים
אֱרָב
דָּ֑ם
וּ/פִ֥י
יְ֝שָׁרִ֗ים
יַצִּילֵֽ/ם
דִּבְרֵ֣י
dâbâr
H1697
Chronicles
N-mp
רְשָׁעִ֣ים
râshâʻ
H7563
wicked
Adj
אֱרָב
ʼârab
H693
to ambush
V-Qal-Inf-a
דָּ֑ם
dâm
H1818
blood
N-ms
וּ/פִ֥י
peh
H6310
lip
Conj | N-ms
יְ֝שָׁרִ֗ים
yâshâr
H3477
Jashar
Adj
יַצִּילֵֽ/ם
nâtsal
H5337
to rescue
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 12:6
דִּבְרֵ֣י
dâbâr
H1697
"Chronicles"
N-mp
A word or thing, like a matter or affair, as seen in the book of Chronicles where it refers to the events and words of kings. It can also mean a cause or reason for something.
Definition: This name means word, speaking
Usage: Occurs in 1290 OT verses. KJV: act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work. See also: Genesis 11:1; Exodus 23:8; Deuteronomy 18:21.
רְשָׁעִ֣ים
râshâʻ
H7563
"wicked"
Adj
This word describes someone who is morally wrong, a bad person who is guilty of crime or sin against God or others. It is used to describe the wicked in biblical stories, such as in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) wicked, criminal 1a) guilty one, one guilty of crime (subst) 1b) wicked (hostile to God) 1c) wicked, guilty of sin (against God or man)
Usage: Occurs in 248 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did wrong. See also: Genesis 18:23; Psalms 101:8; Psalms 1:1.
אֱרָב
ʼârab
H693
"to ambush"
V-Qal-Inf-a
This verb means to lie in wait or ambush someone, often used to describe a surprise attack. It is used in the Bible to talk about people who are hiding and waiting to attack. The word can also mean to lay a trap for someone.
Definition: 1) to lie in wait, ambush, lurk 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to lie in wait 1a2) ambush (participle as subst) 1b) (Piel) ambushers, liers-in-wait (pl. participle) 1c) (Hiphil) to lay an ambush
Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: (lie in) ambush(-ment), lay (lie in) wait. See also: Deuteronomy 19:11; Judges 20:38; Psalms 10:9.
דָּ֑ם
dâm
H1818
"blood"
N-ms
Blood refers to the liquid that flows through the body, essential for life. In the Bible, blood is often used to symbolize life, guilt, or sacrifice, as seen in the story of Jesus' crucifixion.
Definition: 1) blood 1a) of wine (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 295 OT verses. KJV: blood(-y, -guiltiness, (-thirsty), [phrase] innocent. See also: Genesis 4:10; Numbers 19:5; Psalms 5:7.
וּ/פִ֥י
peh
H6310
"lip"
Conj | N-ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to the mouth, lips, or edge of something, and can also mean a portion or side of something. It is often used to describe speech or the act of speaking. This word appears in various forms, such as mouth, lip, or edge.
Definition: : lip/mouth peh 1) mouth 1a) mouth (of man) 1b) mouth (as organ of speech) 1c) mouth (of animals) 1d) mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc) 1e) extremity, end pim 2) a weight equal to one third of a shekel, occurs only in 1Sa 13:21
Usage: Occurs in 460 OT verses. KJV: accord(-ing as, -ing to), after, appointment, assent, collar, command(-ment), [idiom] eat, edge, end, entry, [phrase] file, hole, [idiom] in, mind, mouth, part, portion, [idiom] (should) say(-ing), sentence, skirt, sound, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, tenor, [idiom] to, [phrase] two-edged, wish, word. See also: Genesis 4:11; Deuteronomy 21:17; Ezra 9:11.
יְ֝שָׁרִ֗ים
yâshâr
H3477
"Jashar"
Adj
Jashar refers to being straight or just, like doing what is convenient and right. A man named Jashar lived before Israel's monarchy, as mentioned in Joshua 10:13. He wrote a book of poetry and songs, now lost.
Definition: A man living before Israel's Monarchy, first mentioned at Jos.10.13
Usage: Occurs in 119 OT verses. KJV: convenient, equity, Jasher, just, meet(-est), [phrase] pleased well right(-eous), straight, (most) upright(-ly, -ness). See also: Exodus 15:26; Psalms 32:11; Psalms 7:11.
יַצִּילֵֽ/ם
nâtsal
H5337
"to rescue"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms | Suff
To rescue means to snatch away or deliver from danger. It can also mean to strip or plunder, depending on the context, and appears in various forms throughout the Bible.
Definition: 1) to snatch away, deliver, rescue, save, strip, plunder 1a)(Niphal) 1a1) to tear oneself away, deliver oneself 1a2) to be torn out or away, be delivered 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to strip off, spoil 1b2) to deliver 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to take away, snatch away 1c2) to rescue, recover 1c3) to deliver (from enemies or troubles or death) 1c4) to deliver from sin and guilt 1d) (Hophal) to be plucked out 1e) (Hithpael) to strip oneself Aramaic equivalent: ne.tsal (נְצַל "to rescue" H5338)
Usage: Occurs in 194 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, defend, deliver (self), escape, [idiom] without fail, part, pluck, preserve, recover, rescue, rid, save, spoil, strip, [idiom] surely, take (out). See also: Genesis 31:9; Psalms 40:14; Psalms 7:2.
Study Notes — Proverbs 12:6
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 12:6 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 12:6
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 12:6
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 12:6
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 12:6
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 12:6
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 12:6
- Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 12:6
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 12:6
- Sermons on Proverbs 12:6
Context — Loving Discipline and Knowledge
4A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but she who causes shame is like decay in his bones.
5The plans of the righteous are just, but the counsel of the wicked leads to deceit.
6The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them.
7The wicked are overthrown and perish, but the house of the righteous will stand. 8A man is praised according to his wisdom, but a twisted mind is despised.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 14:3 | The proud speech of a fool brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them. |
| 2 | Jeremiah 5:26 | For among My people are wicked men; they watch like fowlers lying in wait; they set a trap to catch men. |
| 3 | Proverbs 1:11–19 | If they say, “Come along, let us lie in wait for blood, let us ambush the innocent without cause, let us swallow them alive like Sheol, and whole like those descending into the Pit. We will find all manner of precious goods; we will fill our houses with plunder. Throw in your lot with us; let us all share one purse”— my son, do not walk the road with them or set foot upon their path. For their feet run to evil, and they are swift to shed blood. How futile it is to spread the net where any bird can see it! But they lie in wait for their own blood; they ambush their own lives. Such is the fate of all who are greedy, whose unjust gain takes the lives of its possessors. |
| 4 | Isaiah 59:7 | Their feet run to evil; they are swift to shed innocent blood. Their thoughts are sinful thoughts; ruin and destruction lie in their wake. |
| 5 | Acts 23:15 | Now then, you and the Sanhedrin petition the commander to bring him down to you on the pretext of examining his case more carefully. We are ready to kill him on the way.” |
| 6 | Acts 23:12 | When daylight came, the Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. |
| 7 | Esther 7:4–6 | For my people and I have been sold out to destruction, death, and annihilation. If we had merely been sold as menservants and maidservants, I would have remained silent, because no such distress would justify burdening the king.” Then King Xerxes spoke up and asked Queen Esther, “Who is this, and where is the one who would devise such a scheme?” Esther replied, “The adversary and enemy is this wicked man—Haman!” And Haman stood in terror before the king and queen. |
| 8 | 2 Samuel 17:1–4 | Furthermore, Ahithophel said to Absalom, “Let me choose twelve thousand men and set out tonight in pursuit of David. I will attack him while he is weak and weary; I will throw him into a panic, and all the people with him will flee; I will strike down only the king and bring all the people back to you as a bride returning to her husband. You seek the life of only one man; then all the people will be at peace.” This proposal seemed good to Absalom and all the elders of Israel. |
| 9 | Esther 4:7–14 | and Mordecai told him all that had happened to him, including the exact amount of money that Haman had promised to pay into the royal treasury in order to destroy the Jews. Mordecai also gave Hathach a copy of the written decree issued in Susa for the destruction of the Jews, to show and explain to Esther, urging her to approach the king, implore his favor, and plead before him for her people. So Hathach went back and relayed Mordecai’s response to Esther. Then Esther spoke to Hathach and instructed him to tell Mordecai, “All the royal officials and the people of the king’s provinces know that one law applies to every man or woman who approaches the king in the inner court without being summoned—that he be put to death. Only if the king extends the gold scepter may that person live. But I have not been summoned to appear before the king for the past thirty days.” When Esther’s words were relayed to Mordecai, he sent back to her this reply: “Do not imagine that because you are in the king’s palace you alone will escape the fate of all the Jews. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows if perhaps you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” |
| 10 | Micah 7:1–2 | Woe is me! For I am like one gathering summer fruit at the gleaning of the vineyard; there is no cluster to eat, no early fig that I crave. The godly man has perished from the earth; there is no one upright among men. They all lie in wait for blood; they hunt one another with a net. |
Proverbs 12:6 Summary
[This verse teaches us that the words we speak have the power to harm or help others. The wicked use their words to hurt and destroy, but the upright use their words to rescue and uplift. As followers of God, we are encouraged to use our words to build others up, as seen in Ephesians 4:29, and to speak the truth in love, as seen in Psalm 15:1-3. By choosing to use our words wisely, we can be a source of life and encouragement to those around us.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for the words of the wicked to 'lie in wait for blood'?
This phrase suggests that the wicked use their words to harm and destroy others, much like a hunter waiting to pounce on their prey, as seen in Psalm 10:8-10 where the wicked lie in wait to catch the innocent.
How can the speech of the upright rescue them?
The speech of the upright can rescue them by being a source of truth, wisdom, and encouragement, as seen in Proverbs 10:11 where the mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, and in Ephesians 4:29 where we are encouraged to speak words that build others up.
What is the contrast between the words of the wicked and the speech of the upright?
The contrast is between words that are used to harm and destroy, and words that are used to rescue and uplift, highlighting the importance of using our words for good, as encouraged in Proverbs 15:4 where a gentle tongue is a tree of life.
How can we apply this verse to our everyday lives?
We can apply this verse by being mindful of the words we speak, choosing to use them to build others up rather than tear them down, as seen in Colossians 4:6 where our speech should be seasoned with salt, and in James 1:26 where we are encouraged to control our tongues.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I have used my words to harm or help others, and how can I use them more wisely in the future?
- How can I use my words to rescue and uplift those around me, especially those who are struggling or hurting?
- What are some common phrases or speech patterns that can be hurtful or destructive, and how can I replace them with more positive and uplifting language?
- How can I cultivate a heart of kindness and compassion, so that my words will be a source of life and encouragement to others?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 12:6
The words of the wicked [are] to lie in wait for blood,.... Which some understand of perjury and false witness, as Jarchi, whereby the lives of innocent persons are taken away: or it may be
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 12:6
The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 12:6
Are to lie in wait for blood; are designed and ordered to entrap or deceive others, and to destroy them. Shall deliver them, to wit, from those that lie in wait for them; which it doth, either, 1. By prayer to God for their deliverance; or, 2. By pacifying the wicked with soft and gentle answers, or by diverting them from their evil course by their good counsels and admonitions; or, 3. By pleading their righteous cause in a judicial or other way.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 12:6
Proverbs 12:6 The words of the wicked [are] to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.Ver. 6. The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood.] As they think not, so neither speak they the language of the righteous. "Ye are the light of the world"; and because the light stands in the light of their wicked ways, as the angel in Balaam’ s way to his sin, therefore they hate the saints; and, as all hatred is bloody, seek their lives, mixing cruelty with their craft, as Cain, Herod, Julian, &c. The old serpent lends them his seven heads to plot, and his ten horns to push. Their own study and exercise also hath made them expert and skilful in their hellish trade; and the taste of blood hath made them as hungry as hounds after it. Thus I kept the ban dogs at stave’ s end, said Nicholas Shetterden, martyr, not as thinking to escape them, but that I would see the foxes leap above ground for my blood, if they can reach it, so it be the will of God; yet we shall see them gape and leap for it. But the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.] Shall defend harmless men that are helpless. Hence those many apologies of Tertullian, Apollonius, Arnobius, and others for the primitive Christians under persecution. Hence we had that unparalleled work, Calvin’ s Institutions, which was written upon this occasion. Francis, king of France, willing to excuse his cruelty exercised upon his Protestant subjects to the German princes, whose friendship he then desired, wrote to them, that he only punished Anabaptists for their contempt of the Scriptures, and of all civil government.
Calvin, though then but twenty-five years of age, not able to bear that blur cast upon the reformed religion under the name of those sectaries, set forth that excellent work, as well to vindicate the truth, as to plead for the innocence of those that professed it. Acts and Mon. Scultet., Annal., 454.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 12:6
(6) The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood—i.e., are calculated for this end. The mouth of the upright shall deliver them—i.e., those for whom the wicked lie in wait.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 12:6
6. to lie in wait] So R.V. marg., a lying in wait; but R.V. text, of lying in wait, comp. Proverbs 1:11. them] This may mean either the righteous themselves, or those for whose blood the wicked lie in wait.
Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 12:6
Shall deliver them - i. e., The righteous themselves.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 12:6
6. Are to lie in wait — Are a lying in wait — an ambush. For blood — That is, to shed blood, to take life. Compare Proverbs 1:11-18; Proverbs 11:9. Shall deliver them — Namely, those whose blood is sought.
Sermons on Proverbs 12:6
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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When Religion Wants to Be Worshipped by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the immediate effect of Satan's fallen nature being embraced by humanity and how it influenced religious practices. The story of Cain and Abel |
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A Life of Self Acknowlegement by Zac Poonen | This sermon emphasizes the importance of discipline in various aspects of life, such as time management, financial stewardship, and controlling bodily desires. It also highlights t |
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Are We Preaching the Gospel? by K.C. Moser | The preacher delves into the dual meanings of 'oxus' in the Bible, highlighting its representation of rapid motion and sharpness, particularly in the book of Revelation. This sharp |
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Pure by Faith by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of letting go of religious traditions and embracing the freedom found in Christ. He highlights how Jesus faced opposition from |
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Under Sin by Don McClure | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the impact of sin on the human mind and its ability to comprehend spiritual matters. He highlights the irony of highly intelligent individuals |
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The Day That Belongs to the Lord by Denny Kenaston | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of being creative in our daily lives and making each day a sweet and blessed day. He encourages the congregation to search the |
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(The Book of Acts) Session 11 by George Verwer | In this sermon, the speaker addresses the need for Christians to take action and make a difference in their country through prayer, witness, and distributing literature. The Holy S |