Proverbs 12:8
in Proverbs 12A man is praised according to his wisdom, but a twisted mind is despised.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
A man shall be commended according to his wisdom; But he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.
KJV
A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised.
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This verse in Proverbs 12
Commentary
4 notes on this verseA man will be known by his doctrine. Scripture usually calls those endowed with divine virtues men. Hence the Apostle: Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men (I Cor. XVI). Therefore, a man is known by his doctrine, because if he teaches …
This site's exposition
A man is praised according to his wisdom
on Proverbs 12:8-9
“A man is praised according to his wisdom,” and verse 9 tests that standard. It is better “to be lightly esteemed yet have a servant,” keeping a household running, “than to be self-important but lack food”. The verse sets real provision above self-regard, however the neighbors rank a man.
The record, by era
The Medieval Church1 voice
However, he who is vain and foolish, etc. Because he himself despises having the strength of manly courage.
The Puritans and the Awakening1 voice
A man shall be commended according to his wisdom,....
The words behind it
8 Hebrew wordsEvery Hebrew word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Hebrew | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| לְֽפִי־ | lefisi- | to [the] mouth of | H6310 → | 498 times |
| שִׂ֭כְלוֹ | sikhlov | prudence his | H7922 → | 16 times |
| יְהֻלַּל־ | yehulal- | he is praised | H1984 → | 165 times |
| אִ֑ישׁ | ʾish | a person | H376 → | 1663 times |
| וְנַעֲוֵה־ | venaaveh- | and a [person] perverted of | H5753 → | |
| לֵ֝֗ב | lev | heart | H3820 → | 595 times |
| יִהְיֶ֥ה | yihyeh | he will become | H1961 → | 3559 times |
| לָבֽוּז׃ | lavuz | <into> contempt | H937 → |
לְֽפִי־to [the] mouth of
lefisi-H6310 →498 times
שִׂ֭כְלוֹprudence his
sikhlovH7922 →16 times
יְהֻלַּל־he is praised
yehulal-H1984 →165 times
אִ֑ישׁa person
ʾishH376 →1663 times
וְנַעֲוֵה־and a [person] perverted of
venaaveh-H5753 →
לֵ֝֗בheart
levH3820 →595 times
יִהְיֶ֥הhe will become
yihyehH1961 →3559 times
לָבֽוּז׃<into> contempt
lavuzH937 →
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
1 Corinthians 4:5Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each…
it leads to
- James 5:7
Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer awaits the precious fruit of the soil—how patient he is for the fall and spring rains.
- 2 Corinthians 5:10
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad.
- 1 Corinthians 3:13
his workmanship will be evident, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will prove the quality of each man’s work.
- Hebrews 4:13
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
- 2 Corinthians 10:18
For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
- James 5:7
Through
2 Corinthians 10:18For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
it leads to
- Proverbs 21:2
All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.
- Luke 16:15
So He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is prized among men is detestable before God.
- Romans 2:29
No, a man is a Jew because he is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man’s praise does not come…
- Proverbs 21:2
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies1
About Proverbs

This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Bede, Commentary on Proverbs; Charles Bridges, An Exposition of the Book of Proverbs and John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament (1748-1763).
