Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Proverbs 12:13

The wicked is snared by the transgression of [his] lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.

13. The wicked is snared ] Rather:

In the transgression of the lips is a snare to the evil man,

R.V. text; comp. A.V. marg., and for the sentiment, Pro 18:7. This is preferable to the rendering of R.V. marg., an evil snare, because it preserves the balance of the verse: the evil man, by the wicked and deceitful words which he uses to prosecute his purposes, entangles himself in a snare: the righteous man, by his righteous dealing, though he fall into trouble, is delivered out of it and walks at liberty.

The LXX. add:

“He that hath regard to gentleness shall obtain mercy;

But he that opposeth men in the gates will trouble souls.”

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

Pro 12:13

The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips.

Lies, the snare that liars are caught in

The Supreme has set many snares, in the constitution of things, for the detection and punishment of evil-doers. The liars own tongue betrays him. In some of its movements, ere he is aware, it touches the spring which brings down the avenging stroke. It is instructive to read with this view the detailed account of a criminal trial. In the faltering and fall of a false witness you should see and reverence the righteousness of God. When a man is not true, the great labour of his life must be to make himself appear true; but if a man be true, he need not concern himself about appearances. He may go forward, and tread boldly; his footing is sure. (R. F. Horton, D.D.)

Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell

Verse 13. The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips] A man who deals in lies and false oaths will sooner or later be found out to his own ruin. There is another proverb as true as this: A liar had need of a good memory; for as the truth is not in him, he says and unsays, and often contradicts himself.

Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible

The wicked is snared, i.e. brought into trouble,

by the transgression of his lips, by his wicked speeches against God and men. The just shall come out of trouble, to wit, by his wise, and holy, and inoffensive speeches, whereby he pacifieth men, and gaineth Gods favour and protection.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

13, 14. The wicked is snared,&c.The sentiment expanded. While the wicked, such as liars,flatterers, &c., fall by their own words, the righteous areunhurt. Their good conduct makes friends, and God rewards them.

Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

The wicked is snared by the transgression of [his] lips,…. A wicked man often brings himself into trouble by giving his tongue too great a liberty, and by making free with the characters of others; sometimes by treasonable speeches against his sovereign; sometimes by bearing false Witness, and by lies and perjuries, of which he is convicted in open court; and by calumnies, reproaches, detraction, and scandal raised by him, and cast on his neighbour, who sues him for these things: or “in the transgression of the lips [is] an evil snare”; or “the snare of an evil man” y; by the wicked things they say they lay a snare for others, which the simple and incautious are taken in; so heretics ensnare men by their good words and fair speeches, and plausibility of their doctrines; so antichrist, by lies in hypocrisy, and by his deceivableness of unrighteousness;

but the just shall come out of trouble; or escape it; he escapes the snare that is laid for him, and so the trouble consequent upon it; a just man escapes trouble by not giving his tongue the liberty wicked men do; and when he by any means falls into trouble, he gets out of it again by giving good words to those in whose hands he is; and by his prayers and supplications unto God. The righteous are sometimes in trouble, and in such sort of trouble as others are not; by reason of their own corruptions, Satan’s temptations, the hidings of God’s face, as well as various outward afflictions; out of all which the Lord delivers them sooner or later, in life or in death, Ps 34:19. Jarchi exemplifies this in the case of righteous Noah, who escaped the flood, when the world of the ungodly were destroyed by it, for the transgression of their lips, saying, as in Job 21:15, “what is the Almighty?” c.

y “in praevaricatione labiorum laqueos malus”, Montanus, Michaelis, Schultens, so Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Cocceius “vel laqueus hominis mali”, Mercerus, Gejerus.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

Proverbs regarding injurious and beneficial words, wise hearing and prudent silence.

13 In the transgression of the lips there lies a dangerous snare;

The righteous escapeth from trouble.

The consecutive modus ( ) is here of greater weight than e.g., at Pro 11:8, where the connection follows without it ( ) from the idea of the change of place. The translation: but the righteous … restores ( ), and ignores the syllogistic relation of the members of the proverb, which shows itself here (cf. the contrary, Pro 11:9) to a certain degree by . Ewald displaces this relation, for he paraphrases: “any one may easily come into great danger by means of inconsiderate words; yet it is to be hoped that the righteous may escape, for he will guard himself against evil from the beginning.” He is right here in interpreting and as the designation of danger into which one is betrayed by the transgressions of his lips, but “inconsiderate words” are less than . One must not be misled into connecting with the idea of missing, or a false step, from the circumstance that means a step; both verbs have, it is true, the common R. with the fundamental idea of placing apart or separating, but has nothing to do with (step = placing apart of the legs), but denotes (as Arab. fusuwk fisk , from the primary meaning diruptio, diremtio ) a sinning, breaking through and breaking off the relation to God (cf. e.g., Pro 28:24), or even the restraints of morality (Pro 10:19). Such a sinning, which fastens itself to, and runs even among the righteous, would not be called , but rather (Pro 20:9). According to this the proverb will mean that sinful words bring into extreme danger every one who indulges in them – a danger which he can with difficulty escape; and that thus the righteous, who guards himself against sinful words, escapes from the distress (cf. with the expression, Ecc 7:18) into which one is thereby betrayed. is the descriptive and expressive epithet to (cf. Ecc 9:12): a bad false trap, a malicious snare, for is the snare which closes together and catches the bird by the feet. This proverb is repeated at Pro 29:6, peculiarly remodelled. The lxx has after Pro 12:13 another distich:

He who is of mild countenance findeth mercy;

He who is litigious oppresseth souls.

( , or rather, more in accordance with the Hebrew original: oppresseth himself, .)

Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament

      13 The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.

      See here, 1. The wicked entangling themselves in trouble by their folly, when God in justice leaves them to themselves. They are often snared by the transgression of their lips and their throats are cut with their own tongues. By speaking evil of dignities they expose themselves to public justice; by giving ill language they become obnoxious to private resentments, are sued for defamation, and actions on the case for words are brought against them. Many a man has paid dearly in this world for the transgression of his lips, and has felt the lash on his back for want of a bridle upon his tongue, Ps. lxiv. 8. 2. The righteous extricating themselves out of trouble by their own wisdom, when God in mercy comes in for their succour: The just shall come out of such troubles as the wicked throw themselves headlong into. It is intimated that the just may perhaps come into trouble; but, though they fall, they shall not be utterly cast down, Ps. xxxiv. 19.

Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary

Sins of Speech

Verse 13 warns that the wicked are snared by the various forms of evil speaking – lying, rash statements, slander, tale-bearing, etc. Pro 10:14; Pro 18:7; 2Pe 2:9; Rev 21:8; Mat 12:36-37, relate this snare to terrifying destruction, anticipated and eventually actual. In blessed contrast is the promise of deliverance of the just from this troublesome sin. In life they are delivered by confession and forgiveness, Psa 32:5; 1Jn 1:9; and by abstaining from such sin through the power of Christ to deliver from temptation, 2Pe 2:9. They are delivered from the eternal consequences through the atoning sacrifice of Christ, Isa 53:6; Tit 2:14.

Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary

(13) The wicked is cursed by the transgression of his lips.For his words, the product of his evil heart, while designed to injure others, often bring the offender himself into trouble (Psa. 7:16), and moreover, as being the true index of the inner life of the soul, are being stored up as a witness against him at the day of judgment (Mat. 12:37). The just man, on the contrary, avoids all this trouble.

Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)

13. Wicked snared Well rendered by Conant: “In the transgression of the lips is an evil snare.” A man is often ensnared by his malicious or envious talk, or by his prevarications and falsehoods. Compare Ecc 10:12. Trouble Strait or distress.

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Pro 12:13 to Pro 13:5 The Mind of Man: The Righteous Tongue This section places emphasis upon the tongue of man, which reflects the mind of man.

Pro 12:16  A fool’s wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.

Pro 12:16 Word Study on “presently” The English word “presently is formed from the Hebrew word ( ), meaning “in” and the Hebrew word ( ) (H3117), meaning “day.” Literally, it means, “in a day.”

Pro 12:16 Word Study on “shame” Strong says the Hebrew word “shame” ( ) (H7036) means, “disgrace.” The Enhanced Strong says this word is used 17 times in the Old Testament, being translated in KJV as, “ shame 13, confusion 1, dishonour 1, ignominy 1, reproach 1.”

Pro 12:16 Comments – The contrast in Pro 12:16 is seen in the fact that a fool will quickly reveal his lack of control over his temper, but the prudent man will cover up this shameful act of displaying anger by controlling his spirit. It will only take one day to see the fool control over his temper, but a wise man will work to control his temper. It means that a fool will show his wrath in the same day that he is provoked, contrasted to a prudent man, who will hold his anger back, thus covering it, for the proper occasion.

Pro 12:22  Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.

Pro 12:22 Word Study on “deal” Strong says the Hebrew word “deal” ( ) (H6213) is a primitive root that means, “to do, or to make,” and it is used is a broad sense of applications. The Enhanced Strong says this word is used 2633 times in the Old Testament, being translated in KJV as, “do 1333, make 653, wrought 52, deal 52, commit 49, offer 49, execute 48, keep 48, shew 43, prepare 37, work 29, do so 21, perform 18, get 14, dress 13, maker 13, maintain 7, misc 154.”

Pro 12:23  A prudent man concealeth knowledge: but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.

Pro 12:23 Comments – I saw this biblical principle used for the first time so effectively when I began to work with the leadership of DMJ Management. The general manager would often conceal how much he knew in meetings with vendors and contractors. He would actually act as if he knew very little about the subject and ask the other party to explain things to him. Thus, I saw a prudent man concealing knowledge.

This often led the other person to reveal how much he knew or to reveal how little he knew about the relevant issues at hand. Thus, the heart of the fool often proclaimed his foolishness by trying to pretend that he knew much, while he was revealing that he knew very little.

This gave the general manager a distinct advantage in negotiating the terms and conditions of a business arrangement. Note other related verses on this subject:

Pro 13:16, “Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.”

Pro 15:2, “The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.”

Pro 17:27, “He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.”

Pro 18:15, “The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; and the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.”

1Co 8:1, “Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.”

Prior to receiving a promotion as a supervisor in DMJ Management Company, I has spent four years working with the labourers of the company, those who were under the management of others. During the workday, I had often endured listening to uneducated fools in their jesting. One day, I cried out to the Lord in prayer that he would put me with a man of God in my workday. It was not long afterwards that I received the promotion into management, working under the general manager, who was a great man of God. There, I learned much about how to deal with people issues instead of mechanical issues.

Pro 13:20, “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.”

Fuente: Everett’s Study Notes on the Holy Scriptures

v. 13. The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips, his own speeches prove a dangerous snare to him, so that he is overthrown; but the just shall come out of trouble, escaping from the net which was placed for his feet.

Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann

Pro 12:13. The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips i.e. A wicked man is himself ensnared by his prevarications.

Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke

Pro 12:13 The wicked is snared by the transgression of [his] lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.

Ver. 13. The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips. ] His heart is oft so full of venom that it cannot be hid, but blisters his tongue, and breaks out at his lips to his own ruin, as it befell Story, Campian, Garnet, and other Popish poisonous spiders, who were swept down by the hand of justice, and drew their last thread in the triangle of Tyburn. Detexit facinus fatuus, et non implevit, as Tacitus saith of one that was sent by the senate to despatch Nero, but exposed and betrayed himself.

But the just shall come out of trouble. ] They suffer sometimes for their bold and free invectives against the evils of the times, or otherwise for discharging their consciences, but they shall surely be delivered. “There is yet one man,” saith Ahab, “Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may inquire of the Lord: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil.” 1Ki 22:8 It is very probable that Micaiah was that disguised prophet who brought to Ahab the fearful message of displeasure and death for dismissing Benhadad, for which he was ever since fast in prison, deep in disgrace. But God, “with the temptation, made a way for him to escape.” So he did for Peter; Act 12:7-11 Paul; 2Ti 4:6-8 all the apostles. Act 4:13-21 John Baptist, indeed, was, without any law, right, or reason, beheaded in prison, as though God had known nothing at all of him, said George Marsh the martyr. a And the same may be said of sundry other faithful withesses to the truth, but then by death they entered into life eternal. Mors fuit aerumnarum requies, which was Chaucer’s motto. Besides that, heaven upon earth they had during their troubles. Philip, Landgrave of Hesse, being a long time prisoner under Charles V, was demanded what upheld him all that while. Respondit, divinas consolationes martyrum se sensisse, he answered – that he had felt the divine comforts of the martyrs. The best comforts are usually reserved for the worst times.

a Acts and Mon., fol. 1423.

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

The wicked = an evil man. Hebrew. ra’a’. Same word as “evil” in Pro 12:12.

transgression. Hebrew. pasha’. App-44.

lips. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6, for what is spoken by them. Illustrations: Korah (Num 16:1-3, Num 16:31-35. Psa 64:8); the Amalekite(2Sa 1:2-16); Adonijah (1Ki 2:23); Daniel’s accusers (Dan 6:24); Jews (Mat 27:25).

the just = a righteous one.

shall come out, &c. Illustrations: Joshua and Caleb (Num 14:10, Num 14:24, Num 14:30); Esther and her People (Est 7:3; Est 8:3-17; Est 9:25); Peter (Act 11:2-18; Act 12:3-18).

Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics

Pro 12:13

Pro 12:13

“In the transgression of the lips is a snare to the evil man; But the righteous shall come out of trouble.”

Christ said, “By thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned” (Mat 12:37). “A wicked man is trapped by his own words, but an honest man gets himself out of trouble.”

Pro 12:13. The net of evil men desired by the wicked in order to get dishonest gain here becomes a snare in which one himself is taken. A liars memory is not always good enough to keep him from contradicting himself and thus getting himself into trouble (Pro 18:7), but the truthful, forthright speech of the righteous brings them out of difficulties.

Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary

wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: Heb. snare of the wicked is in the transgression of lips, Pro 6:2, Pro 15:2, Pro 18:6, Pro 18:7, 1Ki 2:23, Psa 5:6, Psa 64:8, Dan 6:24, Mat 27:25

but: Pro 11:8, Gen 48:16, 2Sa 4:9, Psa 34:19, Ecc 7:18, Rom 8:35-37, 2Pe 2:9

Reciprocal: Gen 34:13 – deceitfully Jdg 12:4 – fugitives Psa 9:16 – wicked Psa 59:12 – For the Psa 140:9 – let the mischief Psa 140:11 – an evil speaker Pro 10:8 – but Pro 12:26 – righteous Pro 13:3 – General Pro 18:20 – General Pro 21:23 – General Pro 29:6 – the transgression Ecc 10:12 – words Eph 4:29 – that which

Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Pro 12:13-14. The wicked is snared Brought into trouble; by the transgression of his lips By his wicked speeches against God and men; but the just shall come out of trouble Namely, by his wise, and holy, and inoffensive words, whereby he pacifieth men, and pleases God, and therefore is favoured with his protection. A man shall be satisfied, &c., by the fruit of his mouth By his pious and profitable discourses. And the recompense of a mans hands That is, of his works, of which the hand is the great instrument; shall be rendered unto him Namely, by God, to whom the work of retribution belongs.

Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

6. Avoiding trouble 12:13-28

Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)