Mishle 18:12

12 Before shever (destruction) the lev ish is haughty, and before kavod is anavah (humility).

Mishle 18:12 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 18:12

Before destruction the heart of man is haughty
Lifted up with his riches. Rich men are apt to be highminded, and therefore are to be charged and cautioned against it; they are apt to look above their poor neighbours, and with contempt upon them; and very often this haughtiness of theirs is a presage of their ruin and destruction: and those haughty airs are put on from the pride of their hearts, when a "breach" is near, as the word ^F21 signifies, or when they are ready to break; however, their haughty spirits are, sooner or later, humbled by one distressing providence or another; see ( Proverbs 16:18 ) ; and before honour [is] humility; (See Gill on Proverbs 15:33).

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FOOTNOTES:

F21 (rbv ynpl) "ante confractionem", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Cocceius, Schultens.

Mishle 18:12 In-Context

10 The Shem of Hashem is a strong migdal (tower), the tzaddik runneth into it, and is safe.

11 The oisher’s wealth is his strong city, and is a high chomah in his own conceit.

12 Before shever (destruction) the lev ish is haughty, and before kavod is anavah (humility).

13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and kelimmah (reproach, shame) unto him.

14 The ruach ish will sustain him in sickness, but a crushed ruach who can bear?