Bible Strands
Proverbs 27:12
The prudent see danger and take cover, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The father addresses his son in a wisdom discourse, urging him to respond to taunters through practical conduct.
The words — עָר֤וּם ('a.Rum) identifies a sensible person who perceives רָעָ֣ה (ra.'Ah), or evil, while פְּ֝תָאיִ֗ם (pe.ta.Yim) marks naive people who pass on.
The thread — Proverbs 22:3 repeats the identical contrast, and the pattern of acting on unseen warning aligns with Hebrews 11:7.
Why it lands — The text states that foresight brings protection and willful ignorance brings punishment, demanding immediate vigilance rather than complacency.
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
A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 22:3 The prudent see danger and take cover, but the simple keep going and suffer the consequences.
- Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
- Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in godly fear built an ark to save his family. By faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
- 2 Peter 3:10 But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare.
- Exodus 9:20 Those among Pharaoh’s officials who feared the word of the LORD hurried to bring their servants and livestock to shelter,
- 2 Peter 3:7 And by that same word, the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
- Psalms 57:1 For the choirmaster. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David, when he fled from Saul into the cave. Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy, for in You my soul takes refuge. In the shadow of Your wings I will take shelter until the danger has passed.
- Isaiah 26:20 Go, my people, enter your rooms and shut your doors behind you. Hide yourselves a little while until the wrath has passed.
- Matthew 3:7 But when John saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his place of baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?
- Hebrews 6:18 Thus by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be strongly encouraged.