Proverbs 12:2
A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn.
Original Language Analysis
ט֗וֹב
A good
H2896
ט֗וֹב
A good
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
1 of 7
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
יָפִ֣יק
man obtaineth
H6329
יָפִ֣יק
man obtaineth
Strong's:
H6329
Word #:
2 of 7
to issue, i.e., furnish; causatively, to secure; figuratively, to succeed
מֵיְהוָ֑ה
of the LORD
H3068
מֵיְהוָ֑ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 7
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְאִ֖ישׁ
but a man
H376
וְאִ֖ישׁ
but a man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
5 of 7
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
Cross References
Proverbs 8:35For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.Acts 11:24For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.Psalms 112:5A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.Romans 5:7For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.Proverbs 1:31Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.Psalms 9:15The heathen are sunk down in the pit that they made: in the net which they hid is their own foot taken.Proverbs 6:18An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,Ecclesiastes 8:8There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.
Historical Context
Reflects covenant theology where God blessed the faithful and judged the rebellious. Divine favor or condemnation followed human righteousness or wickedness according to covenant terms.
Questions for Reflection
- Do you seek divine favor or merely human approval in your conduct?
- What 'wicked devices' in your heart will bring condemnation unless repented of?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
A good man obtains favor from YHWH, but a man of wicked devices He will condemn. Divine favor (ratson - acceptance, delight) comes to the good; divine condemnation (rasha - declare wicked, condemn) comes to the deviser of evil schemes. This verse presents God as moral arbiter rewarding good and punishing evil. Such divine response grounds ethics - conduct matters because it affects God's disposition toward us.