Postings on Proverbs 12:8

"A man will be praised according to his insight,
But one of perverse mind will be despised" (NASB)

Though I've planned to add to this blog many times in the past 3 months and just haven't done so, and though I already examined this verse and have had the notes stored in my Bible for those months, it's now time, finally!, to return to blogging through Proverbs -- just deactivated my Facebook account to give me more time :)

Now, before finding out what the verse means & how it's relevant for life, we need to know what it says, so let's start with some observations (asking Who, What, Where, When, Why and How):

1. This is about an individual, not groups of people ("a man," "one")
2. One person is praised by others while the other person is despised.
3. This is true in every location and anytime in history.
4. Public "praise" or honor is the response to a man's "insight" while public "despising" or shame  is the response to a man's "perverse mind" (lit. heart).
5. Their respective reputations are the result of interaction with the 2 kinds of people.
6. The word "but" shows "insight" is being contrasted with a "perverse mind" so these should be seen as opposites.

It seems to me that the most important word in this proverbs is "insight," which speaks of "the ability to recognize the true nature of a situation," allowing someone to navigate around the difficulties to make decisions that benefit him (Longman 273). Today, we'd say this person can "read" people or circumstances.



There are 4 other uses of the Hebrew word translated here "insight" in the book of Proverbs with 13:15 being a very close parallel to this one ("Good understanding produces favor"). Insight is the source of blessing (16:22). It is demonstrated by people who don't get angry easily (19:11) and tragically, insight is despised by fools (23:9).


In contrast, the "mind" (the place where everyone's thoughts, emotions, words and deeds are determined) of the second man is "perverse," meaning "bent" or "warped" (Waltke 515, 525), "distressed, disturbed" (NIDOTTE 3:340-1).

This defect in his soul will cause him to unwittingly head into difficulties rather than away from them because he is unable to see the truth about people or situations. Because this clueless person keeps making suicidal decisions, the best case scenario for him is that he "amuses people and becomes the butt of [their] jokes" (Waltke 525), but this proverb warns that people will eventually refuse to put up with him and view him with contempt. No wonder Proverbs 13:15 describes this man's life has hard and headed for ruin.

Much of Proverbs is about avoiding punishment, discipline and ultimately destruction while at the same time maximizing blessing in life, so when Proverbs 22:1 says "A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches" and one might ask, "How do I gain the blessing of a good reputation?"

Proverbs 12:8 comes along and answers "With insight." That sounds good to me! I want me some of that, but "How do I grow in insight?" The answer from Proverbs is keep wanting, keep praying for, keep learning, keep meditating on and keep loving the wisdom of Proverbs 10-31, which we will return to tomorrow. So, the question this proverbs leaves you with is what do people admire you for?  Is it your insight?

Hope that helps!!! TII!!!