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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 2:12 to deliver you from the way of evil, from the man who speaks perversity,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/2-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/20_Pro_02_12.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 2:12 - The Benefits of Wisdom" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="to deliver you from the way of evil, from the man who speaks perversity," /><script type="application/javascript" 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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/proverbs/2.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/2.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/2.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Wisdom will save you from evil people, from those whose words are twisted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/2.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />delivering you from the way of evil, from men of perverted speech,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />to deliver you from the way of evil, from the man who speaks perversity,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />To deliver thee from the way of the evil <i>man</i>, from the man that speaketh froward things;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />To deliver you from the way of evil, From the man who speaks perverse things,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />To rescue you from the way of evil, From a person who speaks perverse things;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />To deliver you from the way of evil, From the man who speaks perverse things;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />To deliver you from the way of evil, From the man who speaks perverse things;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />To deliver you from the way of evil, From the man who speaks perverse things;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />To keep you from the way of evil <i>and</i> the evil man, From the man who speaks perverse things;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />It will rescue you from the way of evil — from anyone who says perverse things,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />rescuing you from the way of evil— from the one who says perverse things, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />To deliver thee from the way of evil, From the men that speak perverse things;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Wisdom will protect you from evil schemes and from those liars <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />To deliver thee from the way of evil, from the men that speak froward things;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />[Wisdom will] save you from the way of evil, from the person who speaks devious things,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/2.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />and prevent you from doing the wrong thing. They will keep you away from people who stir up trouble by what they say--<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />delivering you from the way of evil, from men who speak perverse things,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />to deliver you from the way of evil, from the man who speaks perversity,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />to deliver you from the way of the wicked, from those speaking perversity, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />to deliver you from the way of evil, from the men who speak perverse things;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />to deliver you from the way of evil, from the men who speak perverse things, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />To deliver you from an evil way, "" From any speaking contrary things,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> To deliver thee from an evil way, From any speaking froward things,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />To deliver thee from the evil way, from the man speaking deceit;<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />That thou mayst be delivered from the evil way, and from the man that speaketh perverse things: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />so that you may be rescued from the evil way, and from the man who speaks perversities,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Saving you from the way of the wicked, from those whose speech is perverse. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />It will save you from the way of evil, from those who speak perversely,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />That you might be delivered from evil ways, from men who speak perverse things,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />That you may be delivered from evil ways and from men speaking contradictions<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />To deliver thee from the way of evil, From the men that speak froward things;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />to deliver thee from the evil way, and from the man that speaks nothing faithfully.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/2-12.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=284" 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/2.htm">The Benefits of Wisdom</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">11</span>Discretion will watch over you, and understanding will guard you, <span class="reftext">12</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5337.htm" title="5337: lə·haṣ·ṣî·lə·ḵā (Prep-l:: V-Hifil-Inf:: 2ms) -- To strip, plunder, deliver oneself, be delivered, snatch away, deliver. ">to deliver you</a> <a href="/hebrew/1870.htm" title="1870: mid·de·reḵ (Prep-m:: N-cs) -- Way, road, distance, journey, manner. From darak; a road; figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb.">from the way</a> <a href="/hebrew/7451.htm" title="7451: rā‘ (Adj-ms) -- Bad, evil. From ra'a'; bad or evil.">of evil,</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: mê·’îš (Prep-m:: N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">from the man</a> <a href="/hebrew/1696.htm" title="1696: mə·ḏab·bêr (V-Piel-Prtcpl-ms) -- To speak. A primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively, to speak; rarely to subdue.">who speaks</a> <a href="/hebrew/8419.htm" title="8419: tah·pu·ḵō·wṯ (N-fp) -- Perversity, perverse thing. From haphak; a perversity or fraud.">perversity,</a> </span><span class="reftext">13</span>from those who leave the straight paths to walk in the ways of darkness,…<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/1-1.htm">Psalm 1:1</a></span><br />Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/119-101.htm">Psalm 119:101</a></span><br />I have kept my feet from every evil path, that I may keep Your word.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/119-104.htm">Psalm 119:104</a></span><br />I gain understanding from Your precepts; therefore I hate every false way.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/119-115.htm">Psalm 119:115</a></span><br />Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may obey the commandments of my God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/4-14.htm">Proverbs 4:14-15</a></span><br />Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. / Avoid it; do not travel on it. Turn from it and pass on by.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/6-12.htm">Proverbs 6:12-14</a></span><br />A worthless person, a wicked man, walks with a perverse mouth, / winking his eyes, speaking with his feet, and pointing with his fingers. / With deceit in his heart he devises evil; he continually sows discord.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/10-31.htm">Proverbs 10:31-32</a></span><br />The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out. / The lips of the righteous know what is fitting, but the mouth of the wicked is perverse.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/11-9.htm">Proverbs 11:9</a></span><br />With his mouth the ungodly man destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous are rescued.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/14-7.htm">Proverbs 14:7</a></span><br />Stay away from a foolish man; you will gain no knowledge from his speech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/16-29.htm">Proverbs 16:29</a></span><br />A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/19-27.htm">Proverbs 19:27</a></span><br />If you cease to hear instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/5-20.htm">Isaiah 5:20</a></span><br />Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness to light and light to darkness, who replace bitter with sweet and sweet with bitter.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/30-9.htm">Isaiah 30:9-11</a></span><br />These are rebellious people, deceitful children, children unwilling to obey the LORD’s instruction. / They say to the seers, “Stop seeing visions!” and to the prophets, “Do not prophesy to us the truth! Speak to us pleasant words; prophesy illusions. / Get out of the way; turn off the road. Rid us of the Holy One of Israel!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-15.htm">Matthew 7:15-20</a></span><br />Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. / By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? / Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/15-18.htm">Matthew 15:18-20</a></span><br />But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these things defile a man. / For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander. / These are what defile a man, but eating with unwashed hands does not defile him.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">To deliver you from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaks fraudulent things;</p><p class="hdg">deliver</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/1-10.htm">Proverbs 1:10-19</a></b></br> My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/4-14.htm">Proverbs 4:14-17</a></b></br> Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil <i>men</i>… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/9-6.htm">Proverbs 9:6</a></b></br> Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.</p><p class="hdg">from the man</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/3-32.htm">Proverbs 3:32</a></b></br> For the froward <i>is</i> abomination to the LORD: but his secret <i>is</i> with the righteous.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/8-13.htm">Proverbs 8:13</a></b></br> The fear of the LORD <i>is</i> to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/16-28.htm">Proverbs 16:28-30</a></b></br> A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/144-11.htm">Deliver</a> <a href="/1_samuel/24-15.htm">Delivering</a> <a href="/proverbs/2-7.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/psalms/144-11.htm">False.</a> <a href="/psalms/101-4.htm">Froward</a> <a href="/psalms/101-4.htm">Perverse</a> <a href="/job/33-27.htm">Perverted</a> <a href="/proverbs/2-7.htm">Salvation</a> <a href="/psalms/146-3.htm">Save</a> <a href="/psalms/145-21.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/psalms/145-21.htm">Speaketh</a> <a href="/psalms/109-20.htm">Speaking</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-21.htm">Speaks</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-21.htm">Speech</a> <a href="/proverbs/2-9.htm">Way</a> <a href="/proverbs/2-8.htm">Ways</a> <a href="/psalms/147-6.htm">Wicked</a> <a href="/proverbs/2-10.htm">Wisdom</a> <a href="/proverbs/2-1.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/2-16.htm">Deliver</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-11.htm">Delivering</a> <a href="/proverbs/2-14.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/proverbs/2-22.htm">False.</a> <a href="/proverbs/2-15.htm">Froward</a> <a href="/proverbs/2-15.htm">Perverse</a> <a href="/proverbs/2-15.htm">Perverted</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-2.htm">Salvation</a> <a href="/proverbs/2-16.htm">Save</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-22.htm">Speak</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-13.htm">Speaketh</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-13.htm">Speaking</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-7.htm">Speaks</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-24.htm">Speech</a> <a href="/proverbs/2-13.htm">Way</a> <a href="/proverbs/2-13.htm">Ways</a> <a href="/proverbs/2-14.htm">Wicked</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-7.htm">Wisdom</a> <a href="/proverbs/2-16.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 2</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/2-1.htm">wisdom promises godliness to her children</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/2-10.htm">and safety from evil company</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/2-20.htm">and direction in good ways</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'; 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In biblical context, "the way of evil" refers to a lifestyle or path that leads away from God's righteousness. The concept of a "way" or "path" is common in Proverbs, symbolizing one's life choices and direction (<a href="/proverbs/4-14.htm">Proverbs 4:14-15</a>). The deliverance mentioned here is a divine intervention, suggesting that wisdom acts as a safeguard against moral and spiritual danger. Historically, the Israelites were often warned against following the practices of surrounding nations, which were considered evil (<a href="/deuteronomy/18-9.htm">Deuteronomy 18:9-14</a>). This deliverance can also be seen as a type of Christ, who is the ultimate deliverer from sin and evil (<a href="/colossians/1-13.htm">Colossians 1:13</a>).<p><b>from the man who speaks perversity</b><br>"Perversity" in this context refers to twisted or corrupt speech that leads others astray. The "man who speaks perversity" is someone who uses deceitful or misleading words to influence others negatively. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, speech was a powerful tool, and the misuse of it was seen as a serious offense (<a href="/proverbs/6-12.htm">Proverbs 6:12-14</a>). This aligns with the broader biblical theme that words have the power to build up or destroy (<a href="/james/3-5.htm">James 3:5-6</a>). The warning against such individuals is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are cautioned to be wary of false teachers and prophets (<a href="/2_peter/2.htm">2 Peter 2:1-3</a>). This phrase underscores the importance of discernment and the need for wisdom to recognize and resist corrupt influences.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_way_of_evil.htm">The Way of Evil</a></b><br>This phrase represents a path or lifestyle characterized by wickedness and moral corruption. It is a metaphorical path that leads away from God's wisdom and righteousness.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_man_who_speaks_perversity.htm">The Man Who Speaks Perversity</a></b><br>This individual is someone who distorts truth and engages in deceitful or corrupt speech. In the Hebrew text, the word for "perversity" (tahpukot) implies a turning away from what is right and true.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_discernment.htm">The Importance of Discernment</a></b><br>As believers, we must cultivate discernment to recognize and avoid the way of evil. This involves being grounded in Scripture and seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/guarding_our_speech.htm">Guarding Our Speech</a></b><br>We should be mindful of our own words, ensuring they align with truth and righteousness, and avoid engaging in or endorsing perverse speech.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/choosing_the_right_path.htm">Choosing the Right Path</a></b><br>Daily decisions determine our spiritual direction. We must consciously choose paths that lead to righteousness and align with God's wisdom.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/influence_of_companions.htm">Influence of Companions</a></b><br>The company we keep can influence our spiritual journey. We should surround ourselves with those who encourage us in our faith and steer clear of those who lead us astray.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/prayer_for_deliverance.htm">Prayer for Deliverance</a></b><br>Regular prayer for deliverance from evil influences and for strength to resist temptation is crucial in maintaining a righteous path.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 2</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_speech.htm">What does the Bible teach about controlling speech?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_military_imagery_conflict_with_christ.htm">2 Timothy 2:3-4 - Does using military imagery to describe Christian life conflict with Christ's teachings on peace and nonviolence elsewhere in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_rehoboam's_reign_called_evil.htm">2 Chronicles 12:12-14 - Why does the text claim partial repentance yet still list Rehoboam's reign as evil compared to other biblical narratives?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_androcentrism_mean.htm">What does maltheism mean?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(12) <span class= "bld">Froward things.</span>--(Heb., <span class= "ital">tahp-khoth</span>)<span class= "ital">, i.e., </span>misrepresentations, distortions of the truth.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 12.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">To deliver thee from the way of the evil man.</span> The first special advantage resulting from the protecting guardianship of discretion and understanding. <span class="accented">From the way of the evil man</span>; properly, <span class="accented">from an evil way</span>; Hebrew, <span class="hebrew">מִדֶּרֶך רָע</span> (<span class="accented">midarek ra</span>), not necessarily, though by implication, connected with man, as in the Authorized Version. <span class="hebrew">רָע</span> (<span class="accented">ra</span>), "evil," "wicked," in an ethical sense, is an adjective, as in <a href="/jeremiah/3-16.htm">Jeremiah 3:16</a> (<span class="hebrew">לֵב רָע</span>, <span class="accented">lev ra</span>), "an evil heart;" cf. the LXX., <span class="greek">ἀπὸ ὁδοῦ κακῆς</span>; the Vulgate, Targum, and Arabic, <span class="accented">a vid mala</span>, and the Syriac, <span class="accented">a viis pravis.</span> "Way," is here used in the sense of "conduct," and the evil way is a line of conduct or action which is essentially wicked or evil. The teacher has already Warned youth against the temptations and dangers of the way of evil men in <a href="/proverbs/1-10.htm">Proverbs 1:10-15</a>; he now shows that discretion, arising from wisdom being resident in the heart, will be a sufficient safeguard against its allurements. <span class="cmt_word">From the man that speaketh froward things.</span> Perverse utterances are here brought in contradistinction to the evil way or froward conduct. <span class="accented">Man</span> (<span class="hebrew">אִשׁ</span> <span class="accented">ish</span>) is here used generically, as the representative of the whole class of base and wicked men, since all the following verbs are in the plural, <span class="accented">Froward things.</span> The word <span class="hebrew">תַּהְפֻכוֹּת</span> (<span class="accented">tah'pucoth</span>), here translated "froward things," is derived from the root <span class="hebrew">צּצּצּ</span> (<span class="accented">haphak</span>), "to turn," "to pervert," and should be translated "perverseness." Perverseness is the wilful misrepresentation of that which is good and true. The utterances are of a distorted and tortuous character. The word, only found in the plural, is abstract in form, and is of frequent, though not of exclusive, occurrence in the Proverbs. It is attributed to the Israelites in <a href="/deuteronomy/32-20.htm">Deuteronomy 32:20</a>. It is met with again in such expressions as "the mouth of perverseness," Authorized Version "froward mouth" (<a href="/proverbs/8-13.htm">Proverbs 8:13</a>); "the tongue of perverseness," "froward tongue," Authorized Version (<a href="/proverbs/10-31.htm">Proverbs 10:31</a>); "the man of perverseness," "froward man," Authorized Version (<a href="/proverbs/16-28.htm">Proverbs 16:28</a>). What is here said of wicked men is attributed to drunkards in <a href="/proverbs/23-33.htm">Proverbs 23:33</a>, "Thine heart shall utter perverse things." The expression finds its explanation in <a href="/proverbs/6-13.htm">Proverbs 6:13, 14</a>. The spirit which indulges in this perverseness is stubborn, scornful, self-willed, and rebellious, and it is from such a spirit that discretion is a preservative. In <a href="/job/5-13.htm">Job 5:13</a> it is said that "the counsel of the froward is carried headlong" (see also <a href="/2_samuel/22-27.htm">2 Samuel 22:27</a>; <a href="/psalms/18-26.htm">Psalm 18:26</a>; <a href="/psalms/101-4.htm">Psalm 101:4</a>). The LXX. rendering of this word is <span class="greek">μηδὲν πιστόν</span>, "nothing trustworthy," which is amplified in the Arabic, <span class="accented">quod nullam in se continet veritatem</span>, "that which contains in itself no truth." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/2-12.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">to deliver you</span><br /><span class="heb">לְ֭הַצִּ֣ילְךָ</span> <span class="translit">(lə·haṣ·ṣî·lə·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Verb - Hifil - Infinitive construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5337.htm">Strong's 5337: </a> </span><span class="str2">To strip, plunder, deliver oneself, be delivered, snatch away, deliver</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from the way</span><br /><span class="heb">מִדֶּ֣רֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(mid·de·reḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1870.htm">Strong's 1870: </a> </span><span class="str2">A road, a course of life, mode of action</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of evil,</span><br /><span class="heb">רָ֑ע</span> <span class="translit">(rā‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7451.htm">Strong's 7451: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bad, evil</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from the man</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵ֝אִ֗ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(mê·’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who speaks</span><br /><span class="heb">מְדַבֵּ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(mə·ḏab·bêr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1696.htm">Strong's 1696: </a> </span><span class="str2">To arrange, to speak, to subdue</span><br /><br /><span class="word">perversity,</span><br /><span class="heb">תַּהְפֻּכֽוֹת׃</span> <span class="translit">(tah·pu·ḵō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8419.htm">Strong's 8419: </a> </span><span class="str2">Perversity, perverse thing</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/2-12.htm">Proverbs 2:12 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/2-12.htm">Proverbs 2:12 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/2-12.htm">Proverbs 2:12 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/2-12.htm">Proverbs 2:12 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/2-12.htm">Proverbs 2:12 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/2-12.htm">Proverbs 2:12 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/2-12.htm">Proverbs 2:12 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/2-12.htm">Proverbs 2:12 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/2-12.htm">Proverbs 2:12 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/2-12.htm">Proverbs 2:12 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/2-12.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 2:12 To deliver you from the way (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/2-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 2:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 2:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/2-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 2:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 2:13" /></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>