Bible/Proverbs/17

Proverbs 17:12

17:11 An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.

KJV

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Let a bear robbed of her cubs meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.

Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.

Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.

17:13 Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

What does Proverbs 17:12 mean?

Proverbs 17:12 is a verse in the book of Proverbs, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include דֹּב (dôb), שַׁכּוּל (shakkûwl), פָּגַשׁ (pâgash). It connects to 4 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

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Let
a
bearדֹּבdôb/dobe/H1677the bear (as slow)
robbedשַׁכּוּלshakkûwl/shak-kool'/H7909bereaved
of
her
whelps
meetפָּגַשׁpâgash/paw-gash'/H6298to come in contact with, whether by accident or violence; figuratively, to concur
a
man,אִישׁʼîysh/eesh/H376a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
rather
thanאַלʼal/al/H408not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (Job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
a
foolכְּסִילkᵉçîyl/kes-eel'/H3684properly, fat, i.e. (figuratively) stupid or silly
in
his
folly.אִוֶּלֶתʼivveleth/iv-veh'-leth/H200silliness

Commentary on Proverbs 17:12

HENRY_FULL · Proverbs 17:12
e joy of God's people when Zion was in a flourishing state; others think it was penned to encourage their faith and hope when Zion was in ruins and was to be rebuilt after the captivity. Though no man cared for her ( Jer. xxx. 17 , "This is Zion whom no man seeketh after"), yet God had done great things for her, and spoken glorious things of her, which should all have their perfection and accomplishment in the gospel-church; to that therefore we must have an eye in singing this psalm. The Glory of Zion. 1 His foundation is in the holy mountains. 2 The Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. 3 Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah. Some make the first words of the psalm to be part of the title; it is a psalm or song whose subject is the holy mountains—the temple built in Zion upon Mount Moriah. This is the foundation of the argument, or beginning of the psalm. Or we may suppose the psalmist had now the tabernacle or temple in view and was contemplating the g

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Deuteronomy 12:5

But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, even unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come:

2 Chronicles 6:6

But I have chosen Jerusalem, that my name might be there; and have chosen David to be over my people Israel.

Isaiah 14:32

What shall one then answer the messengers of the nation? That the LORD hath founded Zion, and the poor of his people shall trust in it. trust: or, betake themselves unto it

Joel 2:32

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with Proverbs 17:12.

Hosea 13:8

I will meet them as a bear that is bereaved of her whelps, and will rend the caul of their heart, and there will I devour them like a lion: the wild beast shall tear them. wild: Heb. beast of the field

2 Samuel 17:8

For, said Hushai, thou knowest thy father and his men, that they be mighty men, and they be chafed in their minds, as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field: and thy father is a man of war, and will not lodge with the people. chafed: Heb. bitter of soul

Proverbs 12:23

A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.

Proverbs 13:16

Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly. layeth: Heb. spreadeth

Proverbs 14:24

The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.

Proverbs 14:8

The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit.

Proverbs 15:2

The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. poureth: Heb. belcheth, or, bubbleth

Proverbs 26:4

Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.

Frequently asked questions

What does Proverbs 17:12 say?

Proverbs 17:12 (King James Version) reads: "Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly."

Is Proverbs 17:12 in the Old or New Testament?

Proverbs 17:12 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of Proverbs.

Reflect

As you read Proverbs 17:12, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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