Bible Strands
Proverbs 19:3
A man’s own folly subverts his way, yet his heart rages against the LORD.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The wisdom author addresses a learner within a structured collection of practical instructions, placing this observation between a warning about hasty zeal and a note on social favoritism.
The words — אִוֶּ֣לֶת ('i.Ve.let) means "folly," and יִזְעַ֥ף (yiz.'Af) translates to "rages," marking the transition from self-inflicted error to directed resentment.
The thread — The dynamic of blaming God for self-made ruin appears in Revelation 16:9, where scorched people curse God, while Psalms 37:7 commands patience instead of fretting, and Proverbs 11:3 contrasts the guiding integrity of the upright with the self-destructive perversity of the faithless.
Why it lands — The text requires readers to accept personal responsibility for their ruined paths and cease directing anger toward God, demanding honest self-examination before complaint.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the Lord.
Cross-references
- Revelation 16:9 And the people were scorched by intense heat, and they cursed the name of God, who had authority over these plagues. Yet they did not repent and give Him glory.
- Psalms 37:7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men prosper in their ways, when they carry out wicked schemes.
- Proverbs 11:3 The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of the faithless destroys them.
- 1 Samuel 22:13 And Saul asked him, “Why have you and the son of Jesse conspired against me? You gave him bread and a sword and inquired of God for him so that he could rise up against me to lie in wait, as he is doing today.”
- 2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD roam to and fro over all the earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are fully devoted to Him. You have acted foolishly in this matter. From now on, therefore, you will be at war.”
- Numbers 16:19 When Korah had gathered his whole assembly against them at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, the glory of the LORD appeared to the whole congregation.
- Genesis 3:6 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eyes, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom, she took the fruit and ate it. She also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate it.
- Genesis 4:5 but He had no regard for Cain and his offering. So Cain became very angry, and his countenance fell.
- Numbers 17:12 Then the Israelites declared to Moses, “Look, we are perishing! We are lost; we are all lost!
- 1 Samuel 13:13 “You have acted foolishly,” Samuel declared. “You have not kept the command that the LORD your God gave you; if you had, the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time.