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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Proverbs 15:11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD--how much more the hearts of men!</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/15-11.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/20_Pro_15_11.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 15:11 - A Gentle Answer Turns Away Wrath" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD--how much more the hearts of men!" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/proverbs/15-11.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/proverbs/15-11.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/proverbs/">Proverbs</a> > <a href="/proverbs/15.htm">Chapter 15</a> > Verse 11</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad11.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/proverbs/15-10.htm" title="Proverbs 15:10">◄</a> Proverbs 15:11 <a href="/proverbs/15-12.htm" title="Proverbs 15:12">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/proverbs/15.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/proverbs/15.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Death and Destruction lie open before the LORD— how much more do human hearts!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/15.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Even Death and Destruction hold no secrets from the LORD. How much more does he know the human heart!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/15.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD; how much more the hearts of the children of man!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/15.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD—how much more the hearts of men!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/15.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Hell and destruction <i>are</i> before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/15.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Hell and Destruction <i>are</i> before the LORD; So how much more the hearts of the sons of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/15.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Sheol and Abaddon <i>lie open</i> before the LORD, How much more the hearts of mankind!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/15.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD, How much more the hearts of men!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/15.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Sheol and Abaddon <i>lie open</i> before the LORD, How much more the hearts of men!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/15.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Sheol and Abaddon <i>lie open</i> before Yahweh, How much more the hearts of the sons of men!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/15.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead) and Abaddon (the abyss, the place of eternal punishment) <i>lie open</i> before the LORD— How much more the hearts <i>and</i> inner motives of the children of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/15.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD — how much more, human hearts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/15.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD— how much more, human hearts. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/15.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Sheol and Abaddon are before Jehovah: How much more then the hearts of the children of men!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/15.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />If the LORD can see everything in the world of the dead, he can see in our hearts. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/15.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Sheol and Abaddon are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/15.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />If Sheol and Abaddon lie open in front of the LORD how much more the human heart!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/15.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Not even the world of the dead can keep the LORD from knowing what is there; how then can we hide our thoughts from God? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/15.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Since Sheol and Abaddon lie open in the LORD's presence, how much more the hearts of human beings!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/15.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD?how much more the hearts of men!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/15.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Death and Destruction are before the LORD--how much more the hearts of humans! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/15.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Sheol and Abaddon are before the LORD--how much more then the hearts of human beings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/15.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/15.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Sheol and Abaddon are before Yahweh— how much more then the hearts of the children of men! <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/15.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Sheol and destruction [are] before YHWH, "" Surely also the hearts of the sons of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/15.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Sheol and destruction are before Jehovah, Surely also the hearts of the sons of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/15.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Hades and destruction are before Jehovah: much more the hearts of the sons of man.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/15.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Hell and destruction are before the Lord: how much more the hearts of the children of men? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/15.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Hell and perdition are in the sight of the Lord. How much more the hearts of the sons of men!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/15.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD; how much more the hearts of mortals! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/15.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD, how much more human hearts!<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/15.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Sheol and destruction are before the LORD; how much more than the hearts of men?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/15.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Sheol and destruction are in front of LORD JEHOVAH, and also the hearts of the children of men.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/15.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />The nether-world and Destruction are before the LORD; How much more then the hearts of the children of men!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/15.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Hell and destruction are manifest to the Lord; how shall not also be the hearts of men?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/15-11.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=2875" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/15.htm">A Gentle Answer Turns Away Wrath</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">10</span>Discipline is harsh for him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die. <span class="reftext">11</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7585.htm" title="7585: šə·’ō·wl (N-cs) -- Or shol; from sha'al; Hades or the world of the dead, including its accessories and inmates.">Sheol</a> <a href="/hebrew/11.htm" title="11: wa·’ă·ḇad·dō·wn (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- (place of) destruction or ruin, Abaddon. Intensive from 'abad; abstract, a perishing; concrete, Hades.">and Abaddon</a> <a href="/hebrew/5048.htm" title="5048: ne·ḡeḏ (Prep) -- From nagad; a front, i.e. Part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually over against or before.">lie open before</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD—</a> <a href="/hebrew/637.htm" title="637: ’ap̄ (Conj) -- Also, yea. A primitive particle; meaning accession; also or yea; adversatively though.">how much more</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/3826.htm" title="3826: lib·bō·wṯ (N-mpc) -- Heart. Feminine of leb; the heart.">the hearts</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bə·nê- (N-mpc) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.)."></a> <a href="/hebrew/120.htm" title="120: ’ā·ḏām (N-ms) -- Man, mankind. From 'adam; ruddy i.e. A human being.">of men!</a> </span><span class="reftext">12</span>A mocker does not love to be reproved, nor will he consult the wise.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/139-8.htm">Psalm 139:8</a></span><br />If I ascend to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/26-6.htm">Job 26:6</a></span><br />Sheol is naked before God, and Abaddon has no covering.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/4-13.htm">Hebrews 4:13</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/17-10.htm">Jeremiah 17:10</a></span><br />I, the LORD, search the heart; I examine the mind to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/2-23.htm">Revelation 2:23</a></span><br />Then I will strike her children dead, and all the churches will know that I am the One who searches minds and hearts, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/16-7.htm">1 Samuel 16:7</a></span><br />But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/28-9.htm">1 Chronicles 28:9</a></span><br />As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/8-27.htm">Romans 8:27</a></span><br />And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/44-21.htm">Psalm 44:21</a></span><br />would not God have discovered, since He knows the secrets of the heart?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/10-26.htm">Matthew 10:26</a></span><br />So do not be afraid of them. For there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, and nothing hidden that will not be made known.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-2.htm">Luke 12:2</a></span><br />There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, and nothing hidden that will not be made known.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/4-5.htm">1 Corinthians 4:5</a></span><br />Therefore 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 will receive his praise from God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/34-21.htm">Job 34:21-22</a></span><br />For His eyes are on the ways of a man, and He sees his every step. / There is no darkness or deep shadow where the workers of iniquity can hide.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/90-8.htm">Psalm 90:8</a></span><br />You have set our iniquities before You, our secret sins in the light of Your presence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/2-22.htm">Daniel 2:22</a></span><br />He reveals the deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?</p><p class="hdg">hell</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/27-20.htm">Proverbs 27:20</a></b></br> Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/26-6.htm">Job 26:6</a></b></br> Hell <i>is</i> naked before him, and destruction hath no covering.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/139-8.htm">Psalm 139:8</a></b></br> If I ascend up into heaven, thou <i>art</i> there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou <i>art there</i>.</p><p class="hdg">the hearts</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/6-30.htm">2 Chronicles 6:30</a></b></br> Then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and render unto every man according unto all his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou only knowest the hearts of the children of men:)</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/7-9.htm">Psalm 7:9</a></b></br> Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/44-21.htm">Psalm 44:21</a></b></br> Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/88-11.htm">Abaddon</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-26.htm">Children</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-10.htm">Death</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-28.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-7.htm">Hearts</a> <a href="/proverbs/9-18.htm">Hell</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-5.htm">Lie</a> <a href="/proverbs/9-18.htm">Nether-World</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-16.htm">Open</a> <a href="/proverbs/9-18.htm">Sheol</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-14.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/proverbs/9-18.htm">Underworld</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/27-20.htm">Abaddon</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-6.htm">Children</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-14.htm">Death</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-18.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-3.htm">Hearts</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-24.htm">Hell</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-5.htm">Lie</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-24.htm">Nether-World</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-29.htm">Open</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-24.htm">Sheol</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-7.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-24.htm">Underworld</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 15</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/15-1.htm">A gentle answer turns away wrath</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/15.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/proverbs/15.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD—</b><br>In biblical context, "Sheol" refers to the realm of the dead, a place of darkness and silence where the departed spirits reside. It is often depicted as a shadowy underworld, distinct from the concept of hell in later Christian theology. "Abaddon" is a term that means "destruction" and is sometimes personified as a place of ruin or a destructive force. In <a href="/revelation/9-11.htm">Revelation 9:11</a>, Abaddon is named as the angel of the abyss, indicating a deeper connection to the forces of chaos and destruction. The phrase emphasizes God's omniscience and omnipresence, as even the most hidden and feared places are fully visible to Him. This reflects the belief in God's sovereignty over life and death, as well as His ultimate authority over all creation.<p><b>how much more the hearts of men!</b><br>This phrase underscores the idea that if God can see into the depths of Sheol and Abaddon, He can certainly see into the hearts of humans. The heart, in biblical terms, is the center of one's being, encompassing thoughts, emotions, and will. <a href="/jeremiah/17-10.htm">Jeremiah 17:10</a> states, "I, the LORD, search the heart and examine the mind," reinforcing the notion that God understands human intentions and desires better than humans themselves. This serves as a reminder of the importance of sincerity and integrity in one's relationship with God, as nothing is hidden from His sight. It also points to the need for repentance and transformation, aligning one's heart with God's will, as seen in <a href="/psalms/51-10.htm">Psalm 51:10</a>, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me."<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/sheol.htm">Sheol</a></b><br>In Hebrew thought, Sheol is the realm of the dead, a place of darkness and silence where the departed spirits reside. It is often depicted as a shadowy underworld.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/abaddon.htm">Abaddon</a></b><br>This term is often associated with destruction or the place of destruction. In some contexts, it is synonymous with Sheol, emphasizing the finality and ruin associated with death.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD</a></b><br>Refers to Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel, who is omniscient and omnipresent, having complete knowledge and authority over all creation, including the realms of the dead.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/h/hearts_of_men.htm">Hearts of Men</a></b><br>Symbolizes the inner thoughts, intentions, and emotions of human beings. In biblical literature, the heart is often seen as the center of moral and spiritual life.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_omniscience.htm">God's Omniscience</a></b><br>God knows all things, including the hidden and secret places like Sheol and Abaddon. This truth should bring comfort to believers, knowing that nothing escapes His notice.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/transparency_before_god.htm">Transparency Before God</a></b><br>Just as Sheol and Abaddon are open before the Lord, so are our hearts. We should live transparently, acknowledging that God sees our innermost thoughts and intentions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/fear_of_the_lord.htm">Fear of the Lord</a></b><br>Understanding God's complete knowledge should lead us to a healthy fear of the Lord, encouraging us to live righteously and with integrity.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/self-examination.htm">Self-Examination</a></b><br>Regularly examine your heart and motives, knowing that God sees beyond outward appearances. Seek His guidance to align your heart with His will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/hope_in_god's_sovereignty.htm">Hope in God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>Even in the face of death and destruction, believers can have hope, knowing that God is sovereign over all realms, including the afterlife.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_15.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 15</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_sheol_and_abaddon_align_today.htm">Proverbs 15:11: How do ancient concepts of Sheol and Abaddon align with modern historical or archaeological findings on the afterlife? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_is_abaddon_apollyon.htm">Who is Abaddon or Apollyon in religious texts?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_spanking.htm">What are the Bible's teachings on spanking children?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_70,000_die_for_david's_census.htm">How is it fair for 70,000 people to die (1 Chronicles 21:14) because of David’s census? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/15.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(11) <span class= "bld">Hell and destruction.--"</span>Hell" is here the general name for the unseen world (<span class= "ital">Hades</span>) beyond the grave, so called, according to one derivation, from its always "asking" for more victims, and never being satisfied. (Comp. <a href="/proverbs/27-20.htm" title="Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.">Proverbs 27:20</a>.) "Destruction" (<span class= "ital">Abaddon</span>) is the lowest hell, corresponding to the "abyss" of <a href="/luke/8-31.htm" title="And they sought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep.">Luke 8:31</a>; <a href="/revelation/9-1.htm" title="And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven to the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.">Revelation 9:1</a>; <a href="/revelation/9-11.htm" title="And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue has his name Apollyon.">Revelation 9:11</a>; the abode of evil spirits and the lost. (For the thought, comp. <a href="/job/26-6.htm" title="Hell is naked before him, and destruction has no covering.">Job 26:6</a>, and <a href="/psalms/139-8.htm" title="If I ascend up into heaven, you are there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, you are there.">Psalm 139:8</a>.) . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/15.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 11.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Hell and destruction are before the Lord.</span> The two words rendered "hell" and "destruction" are respectively <span class="accented">Sheol</span> and <span class="accented">Abaddon, Infernus</span> and <span class="accented">Perditio</span>, <span class="greek">Ἅιδης</span> and <span class="greek">ἀπώλεια</span> (comp. <a href="/proverbs/27-20.htm">Proverbs 27:20</a>). The former is used generally as the place to which the souls of the dead are consigned - the receptacle of all departed spirits, whether good or bad. Abaddon is the lowest depth of hell, the "abyss" of <a href="/luke/8-31.htm">Luke 8:31</a>; <a href="/revelation/9-2.htm">Revelation 9:2</a>, etc.; 20:l, etc. The clause means that God's eye penetrates even the most secret corners of the unseen world. As Job (<a href="/job/26-6.htm">Job 26:6</a>) says, "Sheol is naked before him, and Abaddon hath no covering" (comp. <a href="/psalms/139-7.htm">Psalm 139:7</a>, etc.). <span class="cmt_word">How much more then the hearts of the children of men?</span> (For the form of the expression, comp. <a href="/proverbs/11-31.htm">Proverbs 11:31</a> and Proverbs 19:7; and for the import, <a href="/proverbs/16-2.htm">Proverbs 16:2</a>; <a href="/proverbs/21-2.htm">Proverbs 21:2</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/17-10.htm">Jeremiah 17:10</a>.) If God knows the secrets of the world beyond the grave, much more does he know the secret thoughts of men on earth. The heart is the source of action (see <a href="/matthew/15-19.htm">Matthew 15:19</a>, etc.). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/15-11.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Sheol</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁא֣וֹל</span> <span class="translit">(šə·’ō·wl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7585.htm">Strong's 7585: </a> </span><span class="str2">Underworld (place to which people descend at death)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and Abaddon</span><br /><span class="heb">וַ֭אֲבַדּוֹן</span> <span class="translit">(wa·’ă·ḇad·dō·wn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_11.htm">Strong's 11: </a> </span><span class="str2">Abaddon -- (place of) destruction or ruin, Abaddon</span><br /><br /><span class="word">lie open before</span><br /><span class="heb">נֶ֣גֶד</span> <span class="translit">(ne·ḡeḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5048.htm">Strong's 5048: </a> </span><span class="str2">A front, part opposite, a counterpart, mate, over against, before</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the LORD—</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3069.htm">Strong's 3069: </a> </span><span class="str2">YHWH</span><br /><br /><span class="word">how much more</span><br /><span class="heb">אַ֝֗ף</span> <span class="translit">(’ap̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_637.htm">Strong's 637: </a> </span><span class="str2">Meaning accession, yea, adversatively though</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the hearts</span><br /><span class="heb">לִבּ֥וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(lib·bō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3826.htm">Strong's 3826: </a> </span><span class="str2">The heart</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of men!</span><br /><span class="heb">אָדָֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḏām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_120.htm">Strong's 120: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ruddy, a human being</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/15-11.htm">Proverbs 15:11 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/15-11.htm">Proverbs 15:11 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/15-11.htm">Proverbs 15:11 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/15-11.htm">Proverbs 15:11 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/15-11.htm">Proverbs 15:11 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/15-11.htm">Proverbs 15:11 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/15-11.htm">Proverbs 15:11 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/15-11.htm">Proverbs 15:11 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/15-11.htm">Proverbs 15:11 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/15-11.htm">Proverbs 15:11 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/15-11.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 15:11 Sheol and Abaddon are before Yahweh-- how (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/15-10.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 15:10"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 15:10" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/15-12.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 15:12"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 15:12" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>