Proverbs 6:14

Authorized King James Version

Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
תַּֽהְפֻּכ֨וֹת׀
Frowardness
a perversity or fraud
#2
בְּלִבּ֗וֹ
is in his heart
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
#3
חֹרֵ֣שׁ
he deviseth
to scratch, i.e., (by implication) to engrave, plough; hence (from the use of tools) to fabricate (of any material); figuratively, to devise (in a bad
#4
רָ֣ע
mischief
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
#5
בְּכָל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#6
עֵ֑ת
continually
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
#7
מִדְָנִ֥ים
discord
a contest or quarrel
#8
יְשַׁלֵּֽחַ׃
he soweth
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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