Proverbs 27:12
A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.
Original Language Analysis
רָאָ֣ה
man foreseeth
H7200
רָאָ֣ה
man foreseeth
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
2 of 7
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
נִסְתָּ֑ר
and hideth
H5641
נִסְתָּ֑ר
and hideth
Strong's:
H5641
Word #:
4 of 7
to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively
Cross References
Proverbs 22:3A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.Proverbs 18:10The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.Hebrews 11:7By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
Historical Context
Ancient Israel faced dangers from wild animals, bandits, and military threats. Reading signs of approaching danger—storm clouds, armed groups, suspicious strangers—was essential for survival. This everyday wisdom principle applies to moral and spiritual threats in any era.
Questions for Reflection
- What recurring temptations or 'evil' do you need to foresee and actively avoid rather than test your resistance?
- How can you develop spiritual prudence to recognize moral danger before you're caught in it?
- Are there situations where you've been 'simple,' ignoring obvious warning signs, and what were the consequences?
Analysis & Commentary
A prudent man foreseeth the evil—The Hebrew ʿārûm (עָרוּם, prudent) means shrewd or sensible, one who perceives danger before it arrives. Hideth himself (sātar, סָתַר) means to take protective action, not cowardice but wisdom. Contrast the simple (pĕtāʾîm, פְּתָאִים)—the naive, gullible ones who pass on obliviously and are punished (ʿānash, עָנַשׁ, suffer consequences).
This proverb appears nearly verbatim in 22:3, emphasizing its importance. The Christian application extends beyond physical danger to spiritual discernment—foreseeing temptation's consequences and fleeing (1 Corinthians 6:18, 10:14). Joseph exemplified this by fleeing Potiphar's wife (Genesis 39:12).