What does Proverbs 12:17 mean? (2024)

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What does Proverbs 12:17 mean? ›

Proverbs 12:17 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 12 contains a series of contrasts between lifestyles, comparing those who honor God to those who reject His wisdom. The results of those decisions are also compared. This repeats several common themes from the book of Proverbs, such as the self-destructive nature of sin and God's distaste for those who lie.

This verse addresses our feelings of both “bitterness” and “joy,” noting that “no one else can share” or really know the depth of my emotions. Neither, too, can they be either the cause of or solution to my feelings. Only I know and feel all this and only I can ultimately deal with it appropriately.

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.

In contrasting the person who trusts in his money, this billionaire tells us that the righteous will “flourish as a branch.” A branch of a tree only flourishes because it is connected to a water source through the roots of the tree it is connected to.

Proverbs 22:1 – “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold.”

Proverbs 12:17 In-Context

17 An honest witness tells the truth, but a false witness tells lies. 18 The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

The wisdom taught in Proverbs is godly wisdom, which has three basic characteristics: the fear of the Lord, spirituality, and skill. Fearing the Lord means having a deep reverence and respect for God and his Word, a respect and reverence that result in obedience.

10 Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy. 11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish.

My interpretation would be that when you refer to “the heart”, it means a person's intuition. It could even mean your “soul” or your “gut”. People should really listen to their intuition since that is your inner voice that's intended to guide you through your life.

What does the contention of a wife are a continual dropping meaning? ›

The imagery of rain here implies something like a leak in a roof, rather than rain in general (Proverbs 27:15). Spouses don't have to be overtly abusive to bring misery into a marriage. A constant "drip" of negativity, arguing, unhappiness, criticism, or other irritations can become toxic.

Ephesians 4:29

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

15 “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. '

[18] "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. [19] If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

The symbolism of the straight trunk of the palm tree is clear; that humans should journey down the straight path that leads Christians toward righteousness. The straight soft trunk was capped with a canopy of 20 foot leaves of green that unfolded like a botanical star burst.

To “flourish like a palm tree” means to stand tall and to live long. The AMP says that the righteous will be: long-lived, stately, upright, useful, and fruitful. Palm trees have been important to humans throughout much of history. They are mentioned nearly 40 times in the Bible.

In this allegory are two important principles: First, we must be grounded in Christ. If we are not, we will not be fruitful (see John 15:4). If our lives are not in harmony with the teachings of the Savior, it is no more likely that we will bear good fruit than that a branch cut off from a vine will bear fruit.

The Difference between Wealth and Riches

According to Kotter “riches” correspond with self-indulgent hearts while the wealthy see themselves as stewards of God's gifts and manage their possessions in ways that honor him.

PROVERBS 10:14, 12:11, 13:11, 14:23. Biblical Wealth rarely just falls into one's lap. God's blessing of wealth is usually obtained by great wisdom and responsibility and through discipline, hard work, saving, investing, and seeking God's will.

Therefore, the chief aim of the book of Proverbs is to bring divine truth into proper focus, enabling us to look at life through God's eyes—from His eternal, all-knowing point of view—and then live accordingly. Proverbs teaches us how to gain wisdom from God's reproofs so that, in the power of the Spirit, we will obey.

What does an excellent wife is the crown of her husband mean? ›

Having written about a good man (Proverbs 12:2), Solomon writes now about an excellent wife. Using regal terminology implies that such a woman possesses noble character and ability. Just as a crown identifies a man as royalty to others, a good woman does the same by bringing her husband honor and dignity.

NLT A hard worker has plenty of food, but a person who chases fantasies has no sense. KJV He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding. NKJV He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread, But he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding.

Proverbs 12:10 teaches us this: The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel. Picture of the author's son (Jonah) and their pet bird, Dude. Being part of family of God changes us from the inside out.