Proverbs 6:12
A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth.
Original Language Analysis
אָדָ֣ם
person
H120
אָדָ֣ם
person
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
1 of 7
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
בְּ֭לִיַּעַל
A naughty
H1100
בְּ֭לִיַּעַל
A naughty
Strong's:
H1100
Word #:
2 of 7
without profit, worthlessness; by extension, destruction, wickedness
אִ֣ישׁ
man
H376
אִ֣ישׁ
man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
3 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)
אָ֑וֶן
a wicked
H205
אָ֑וֶן
a wicked
Strong's:
H205
Word #:
4 of 7
strictly nothingness; also trouble, vanity, wickedness; specifically an idol
ה֝וֹלֵ֗ךְ
walketh
H1980
ה֝וֹלֵ֗ךְ
walketh
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
5 of 7
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
Cross References
Proverbs 16:27An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.Proverbs 4:24Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.Matthew 12:34O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.1 Timothy 5:13And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.Acts 20:30Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.Proverbs 8:13The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.Proverbs 17:4A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue.
Historical Context
The term beliya'al later becomes personified as Belial, almost a proper name for wickedness personified. In ancient Israel, such worthless individuals disrupted community peace through slander and deception.
Questions for Reflection
- What speech patterns in your life might characterize you as 'worthless' versus valuable to others?
- How does the gospel transform not just what you do but what you say?
Analysis & Commentary
A naughty person, a wicked man, walks with a froward mouth. The 'naughty person' (adam beliya'al - worthless person, scoundrel) is characterized by perverse speech. Beliya'al suggests moral worthlessness, one who brings no benefit to society. Such persons spread corruption through deceitful words. The verse identifies corrupt speech as defining characteristic of worthless individuals - what they say reveals what they are.