Bible Strands
Proverbs 2:12
to deliver you from the way of evil, from the man who speaks perversity,
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Solomon addresses a disciple pursuing wisdom, placing this statement between the promise that discretion will watch over you and the warning about those who abandon straight paths. The instruction functions as the immediate mechanism for that protection.
The words — The Hebrew לְהַצִּילְךָ (le-haṣṣîl-ḵā) literally means "to deliver you," while תַּהְפֻּכֹת (tahpûḵōṯ) refers to "perverse things" or twisted speech. These terms specify the rescue from corrupted communication.
The thread — The text's warning against corrupted influence runs through Proverbs 8:13, which ties fearing the Lord to hating perverse speech, and 1 Corinthians 15:33, which states that bad company corrupts good character. Proverbs 13:20 further reinforces the pattern by contrasting the fate of walking with the wise against walking with fools.
Why it lands — The text demands a deliberate separation from individuals who propagate twisted speech and the paths they create. It requires the reader to actively choose the protection of wisdom over the social and moral compromise of corrupt company.
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
To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;
Cross-references
- 1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
- Proverbs 8:13 To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech.
- Proverbs 13:20 He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.
- 2 Corinthians 6:17 “Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”
- Isaiah 59:3 For your hands are stained with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, and your tongue mutters injustice.
- Psalms 17:4 As for the deeds of men—by the word of Your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent.
- Psalms 26:4 I do not sit with deceitful men, nor keep company with hypocrites.
- Psalms 141:4 Do not let my heart be drawn to any evil thing or take part in works of wickedness with men who do iniquity; let me not feast on their delicacies.
- Proverbs 1:10 My son, if sinners entice you, do not yield to them.
- Proverbs 3:32 for the LORD detests the perverse, but He is a friend to the upright.