Proverbs 2:12

12 Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse,

Proverbs 2:12 in Other Translations

12 To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;

12 delivering you from the way of evil, from men of perverted speech,

12 Wisdom will save you from evil people, from those whose words are twisted.

12 They'll keep you from making wrong turns, or following the bad directions

12 rescuing you from the way of evil- from the one who says perverse things,

Proverbs 2:12 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 2:12

To deliver thee from the way of the evil [man]
Who is so by nature and practice, who is hardened in sin and abandoned to it, whose course of life is evil, and who endeavours to draw others into the same evil practices; now the Gospel, and a spiritual knowledge of it, are a means of preserving men from following the examples of such persons, and from walking with them in the ways of sin: or from "the evil way" ^F20, from every evil way, from a vicious course of life; not from idolatry only, as some interpret it, though this may be included, and chiefly designed; but from all manner of sin, from everything that is contrary to the law of God and sound doctrine; from the man that speaketh froward things;
perverse things, things contrary to the light of nature, to divine revelation, to the word of God, both law and Gospel; if a single man is meant, he might be thought to be the man of sin, antichrist, who has a mouth speaking blasphemies against God, his name, his tabernacle, and them that dwell therein, ( Revelation 13:5 Revelation 13:6 ) ; and the Gospel delivers men from following him, and falling in with his perverse doctrines and practices; but the word seems to be a collective one, and to be understood of all wicked men, to whom the description agrees, as it is explained in the following verses in the plural number; who out of their evil hearts, and the abundance of wickedness there, speak evil things, tending to debauch the minds and manners of others; to be delivered from whom is a singular mercy. Jarchi restrains this to heretics, and such as caused Israel to apostatize to idolatry, and turned the law into evil. The Gospel is undoubtedly a means of preserving from error and heresy.

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FOOTNOTES:

F20 (er Krdm) "a via mala", V. L. Pagninus, Montanus, Mercerus, Cocceius, Gejerus, Michaelis.

Proverbs 2:12 In-Context

10 For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.

11 Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.

12 Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse,

13 who have left the straight paths to walk in dark ways,

14 who delight in doing wrong and rejoice in the perverseness of evil,

Cross References

• 1. ver 16; Proverbs 3:13-18; Proverbs 4:5