Proverbs 22:12
Proverbs 22:12 in Multiple Translations
The LORD’s eyes keep watch over knowledge, but He frustrates the words of the faithless.
The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.
The eyes of Jehovah preserve him that hath knowledge; But he overthroweth the words of the treacherous man.
The eyes of the Lord keep knowledge, but by him the acts of the false man will be overturned.
The Lord watches over true knowledge, but counteracts the words of liars.
The eyes of the Lord preserue knowledge: but hee ouerthroweth the wordes of the transgressour.
The eyes of Jehovah have kept knowledge, And He overthroweth the words of the treacherous.
The LORD’s eyes watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.
The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.
The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge: and the words of the unjust are overthrown.
Yahweh [SYN] ◄watches over/takes care of► those who have good understanding/sense, but he ruins the plans/affairs of those who always try to deceive others.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 22:12
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 22:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
עֵינֵ֣י
יְ֭הוָה
נָ֣צְרוּ
דָ֑עַת
וַ֝/יְסַלֵּ֗ף
דִּבְרֵ֥י
בֹגֵֽד
עֵינֵ֣י
ʻayin
H5869
eye
N-cd
יְ֭הוָה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
נָ֣צְרוּ
nâtsar
H5341
to watch
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
דָ֑עַת
daʻath
H1847
knowledge
N-fs
וַ֝/יְסַלֵּ֗ף
çâlaph
H5557
to pervert
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms
דִּבְרֵ֥י
dâbâr
H1697
Chronicles
N-mp
בֹגֵֽד
bâgad
H898
to act treacherously
V-Qal
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 22:12
עֵינֵ֣י
ʻayin
H5869
"eye"
N-cd
This word can mean a spring or fountain, but also refers to the eye or a source of something. It is often translated as affliction, outward appearance, or countenance, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : eye 1) eye 1a) eye 1a1) of physical eye 1a2) as showing mental qualities 1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 828 OT verses. KJV: affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves). See also: Genesis 3:5; Exodus 34:9; Deuteronomy 28:67.
יְ֭הוָה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
נָ֣צְרוּ
nâtsar
H5341
"to watch"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
This word means to watch or guard something, like the Israelites watching over the Passover in Exodus 12:42 or God watching over his people in Psalm 121:4.
Definition: 1) to guard, watch, watch over, keep 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to watch, guard, keep 1a2) to preserve, guard from dangers 1a3) to keep, observe, guard with fidelity 1a4) to guard, keep secret 1a5) to be kept close, be blockaded 1a6) watchman (participle)
Usage: Occurs in 62 OT verses. KJV: besieged, hidden thing, keep(-er, -ing), monument, observe, preserve(-r), subtil, watcher(-man). See also: Exodus 34:7; Proverbs 2:8; Psalms 12:8.
דָ֑עַת
daʻath
H1847
"knowledge"
N-fs
In the Bible, daath means knowledge or understanding, like when Solomon asked God for wisdom in 1 Kings 3:9. It involves skill and perception, and is often linked to wisdom. This concept appears in the book of Proverbs.
Definition: 1) knowledge 1a) knowledge, perception, skill 1b) discernment, understanding, wisdom
Usage: Occurs in 91 OT verses. KJV: cunning, (ig-) norantly, know(-ledge), (un-) awares (wittingly). See also: Genesis 2:9; Proverbs 14:7; Psalms 19:3.
וַ֝/יְסַלֵּ֗ף
çâlaph
H5557
"to pervert"
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms
To pervert means to twist or subvert something, often referring to bribery or corruption. It can also mean to overthrow or ruin, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to twist, pervert, distort, overturn, ruin 1a) (Piel) 1a1) to pervert (of bribery) 1a2) to subvert, turn upside down, ruin
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: overthrow, pervert. See also: Exodus 23:8; Proverbs 13:6; Proverbs 19:3.
דִּבְרֵ֥י
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.
בֹגֵֽד
bâgad
H898
"to act treacherously"
V-Qal
To act treacherously means to be deceitful or unfaithful, as seen in Job 31:27-28, where Job denies acting treacherously. It involves covering or hiding one's true intentions, often to pillage or offend others.
Definition: 1) to act treacherously, deceitfully, deal treacherously 1a) (Qal) to act or deal treacherously, faithlessly, deceitfully, offend
Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: deal deceitfully (treacherously, unfaithfully), offend, transgress(-or), (depart), treacherous (dealer, -ly, man), unfaithful(-ly, man), [idiom] very. See also: Exodus 21:8; Isaiah 24:16; Psalms 25:3.
Study Notes — Proverbs 22:12
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 22:12 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 22:12
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 22:12
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 22:12
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 22:12
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 22:12
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 22:12
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 22:12
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 22:12
- Sermons on Proverbs 22:12
Context — A Good Name
10Drive out the mocker, and conflict will depart; even quarreling and insults will cease.
11He who loves a pure heart and gracious lips will have the king for a friend.
12The LORD’s eyes keep watch over knowledge, but He frustrates the words of the faithless.
13The slacker says, “There is a lion outside! I will be slain in the streets!” 14The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit; he who is under the wrath of the LORD will fall into it.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Chronicles 16:9 | For the eyes of the LORD roam to and fro over all the earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are fully devoted to Him. You have acted foolishly in this matter. From now on, therefore, you will be at war.” |
| 2 | 2 Timothy 3:8–9 | Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth. They are depraved in mind and disqualified from the faith. But they will not advance much further. For just like Jannes and Jambres, their folly will be plain to everyone. |
| 3 | 2 Thessalonians 2:8 | And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will slay with the breath of His mouth and annihilate by the majesty of His arrival. |
| 4 | Acts 13:8–12 | But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked directly at Elymas and said, “O child of the devil and enemy of all righteousness, you are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery! Will you never stop perverting the straight ways of the Lord? Now look, the hand of the Lord is against you, and for a time you will be blind and unable to see the light of the sun.” Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord. |
| 5 | Job 5:12–13 | He thwarts the schemes of the crafty, so that their hands find no success. He catches the wise in their craftiness, and sweeps away the plans of the cunning. |
| 6 | Acts 8:9–12 | Prior to that time, a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and astounded the people of Samaria. He claimed to be someone great, and all the people, from the least to the greatest, heeded his words and said, “This man is the divine power called the Great Power.” They paid close attention to him because he had astounded them for a long time with his sorcery. But when they believed Philip as he preached the gospel of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. |
| 7 | Acts 12:23–24 | Immediately, because Herod did not give glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died. But the word of God continued to spread and multiply. |
| 8 | Matthew 16:16–18 | Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. |
| 9 | Acts 5:39 | But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them. You may even find yourselves fighting against God.” |
| 10 | Revelation 12:14–17 | But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle to fly from the presence of the serpent to her place in the wilderness, where she was nourished for a time, and times, and half a time. Then from the mouth of the serpent spewed water like a river to overtake the woman and sweep her away in the torrent. But the earth helped the woman and opened its mouth to swallow up the river that had poured from the dragon’s mouth. And the dragon was enraged at the woman, and went to make war with the rest of her children, who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And the dragon stood on the shore of the sea. |
Proverbs 22:12 Summary
This verse, Proverbs 22:12, reminds us that God is always watching over and protecting truth, and He will not allow the deceitful words of those who do not trust in Him to succeed. This means that we can trust in God's sovereignty and wisdom, and seek to speak truth and pursue knowledge in a way that honors Him, as encouraged in Psalm 25:4-5 and Proverbs 9:10. As we seek to follow God, we can be confident that He will guide us and protect us from harm. By trusting in God and seeking His wisdom, we can use our words to build up and encourage others, rather than tearing them down.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that the LORD's eyes keep watch over knowledge?
This means that God is always aware of and protecting truth, as seen in Proverbs 22:12, and this is a reminder that our pursuit of knowledge should be rooted in a desire to know and honor Him, as stated in Psalm 119:66.
Who are the faithless mentioned in this verse?
The faithless are those who do not trust in God or His ways, and their words and actions are contrary to His will, as seen in Proverbs 22:12, and are also warned against in verses like Proverbs 10:32.
How does God frustrate the words of the faithless?
God frustrates the words of the faithless by not allowing their plans to come to fruition, as seen in Proverbs 22:12, and also by exposing their deceit and bringing them to justice, as seen in Psalm 146:8-9.
What is the significance of this verse in relation to our speech?
This verse highlights the importance of speaking truth and trusting in God, as our words have power and can either build up or tear down, as seen in Ephesians 4:29-32 and James 1:26.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can pursue knowledge and wisdom in a way that honors God?
- How can I ensure that my words are faithful and trustworthy, rather than faithless and destructive?
- What are some areas in my life where I may be trusting in my own understanding, rather than seeking God's guidance and wisdom?
- How can I use my words to build up and encourage others, rather than tearing them down?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 22:12
The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge,.... That is, the providence of God, whose eyes run to and fro throughout the whole earth; these preserve the knowledge of himself, even among the Heathens in
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 22:12
The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor. The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge - namely, that of the godly, practical, and experimental knowledge of the truth.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 22:12
The eyes of the Lord preserve, God by the watchful eye of his providence maintains and defends, knowledge, to wit, men of knowledge; the abstract being put for the concrete, as pride is put for a proud man, , deceit for the deceitful, as : so here knowledge for knowing and good men, such as the last verse spoke of, whose hearts are pure, and speeches gracious; not only the king shall be their friend, as he said there, but God also, which he adds here, The words; their false and flattering speeches, whereby they designed and expected to gain the favour and friendship of great men, which are opposed to the sincere and gracious speeches of good men, implied in the first cause of this verse, and expressed in the foregoing verse; or, as others render it, and the word is very commonly used, the matters; all his counsels, hopes, enterprises, and concerns.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 22:12
Proverbs 22:12 The eyes of the LORD preserve knowledge, and he overthroweth the words of the transgressor.Ver. 12. The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge.] That is, Knowing persons. Those in the former verse that love truth in the inward parts, and hold this a rule, Truth must be spoken, however it be taken; these, howsoever they may suffer for a season, as Daniel in the den, Micaiah in the stock house, yet the watchful providence of God will preserve them, and provide for them. He will clear their innocence, and so plead for them in the hearts of greatest princes, that they shall find the truth of this divine proverb, and the falsity of that other so common among men, Obsequium amicos, veritas odium parit; Flattery gets friends, but truth hatred. And he overthroweth the words (or matters) of the transgressors.] That is, Of the court parasites, who speak only pleasing things, et saepe leonum laudibus murem obruunt, flatter abominably, as those in Acts 12:21-23 did Herod; as the false prophets did Ahab. God will confute and convince their soothing words of singular vanity; he will also overthrow their matters, attempts, practices, "as a man wipeth a dish, turning it upside down." See in that claw back Amalekite, in Ahithophel, Haman, Sejanus, &c.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 22:12
(12) The eyes of the Lord preserve knowledge—i.e., men who know and speak the truth. (See above on Proverbs 21:28.) He overthroweth the words of the transgressor—i.e., the deceitful; He brings his lies to light.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 22:12
Verse 12. The eyes of the Lord - (the Divine providence) preserve knowledge] This providence has been wonderfully manifested in preserving the sacred oracles, and in preserving many ancient authors, which have been of great use to the civil interests of man.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 22:12
12. knowledge] R.V. rightly inserts him that hath, before knowledge. transgressor] Rather, treacherous man, R.V.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 22:12
12. Preserve knowledge — Stand guard over it. It would seem from the next clause that knowledge is here used for the concrete — the knowing, the intelligent.
Sermons on Proverbs 22:12
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(Proverbs) ch.22:12 - 23:35 by Zac Poonen | Zac Poonen emphasizes the importance of truth, integrity, and discipline in his sermon on Proverbs 22:12 - 23:35. He highlights that God stands with those who uphold truth and warn |
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Absolute Surrender by Keith Daniel | In this sermon, the speaker shares two powerful stories that highlight the desperate state of humanity and the need for God's intervention. The first story describes a disturbing e |
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The Power of God's Presence by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of seeking God's presence and experiencing His glory. He leads the congregation in a prayer of surrender and asks the Holy Sp |
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Releasing the Power of the Holy Ghost by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the power and guidance of the Holy Ghost. He tells the story of Philip, a man of God who is led by the Holy Spirit to preach Jesus to an Eth |
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Total Surrender by Corrie Ten Boom | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of surrendering our hearts fully to God. They use the analogy of a cup to illustrate that when we are not fully surrendered, n |
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Essence of Christianity by Alan Redpath | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that God is not concerned with a person's education, wealth, or natural abilities. God is simply looking for someone who is willing to be us |
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(2006 Conference) 8. Young People Who Stand for God by Zac Poonen | This sermon emphasizes the importance of being wholehearted for God, standing out from the crowd, and not compromising with the world. It highlights the need for young people to se |