Proverbs 2:12-15
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The "froward things" aren't just lies; they're distortions deliberately designed to twist truth and subvert good principles. Wisdom's protection, therefore, guards you from those who actively work to pervert your understanding and lead you astray.
delivering you from the way of evil, from men of perverted speech, who forsake the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness, who rejoice in doing evil and delight in the perverseness of evil, men whose paths are crooked, and who are devious in their ways.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage is part of a larger section where wisdom's benefits are explained. Following warnings against the "way of the evil man" and the corrupting speech of the perverse, this verse highlights wisdom's protective power. It promises that embracing wisdom will deliver you from following such wicked paths and from being swayed by deceptive words.
Life throws us curveballs, and sometimes those curveballs come from the people around us. What does it mean to be delivered from the 'way of the evil man'?
More Than Just Bad Company
This verse warns us about being delivered from the 'way of the evil man.' It's not just about avoiding a specific person, but a whole path of conduct. Think of it as stepping off a road that leads to destruction.
Words have power. Sometimes, that power is used to distort reality and lead us astray. What are these 'froward things' and why are they so dangerous?
The Danger of Distorted Speech
The second part of the verse warns against being delivered from 'men of perverted speech.' This isn't just about lying; it's about a deliberate twisting of truth.
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Wisdom delivers us not only from dangerous actions but also from the deceptive words that fuel those actions.
Understand the original words
ra' · Hebrew Noun/Adjective
A morally wrong course of action, behavior, or lifestyle; a departure from God's standards that leads to spiritual ruin.
tahpukoth · Hebrew Noun
Speech that is crooked, distorted, or contrary to truth; words used to deceive, mislead, or corrupt others.
azab · Hebrew Verb
To leave behind, abandon, or desert a relationship, commitment, or moral path; often used for covenant-breaking or rejecting God's law.
yosher · Hebrew Noun
The moral standard or straight path established by God; behavior that aligns with His righteousness and integrity.
choshek · Hebrew Noun
A metaphorical state of ignorance, spiritual confusion, sin, or judgment, representing life lived apart from the light of God's presence and truth.
samach · Hebrew Verb
To take pleasure or find satisfaction in something; here, it refers to the inner enjoyment that confirms a person's wicked character.
tahpukah · Hebrew Noun
A state of moral distortion, perversion, or twisting; the active inclination to enjoy things that are contrary to God's nature.
aqash · Hebrew Adjective
Paths that are bent, twisted, or distorted; representing lives that deliberately deviate from the straight, honest path of righteousness.
luz · Hebrew Adjective
Characterized by being crafty, sly, or untrustworthy; describing those who avoid straight-dealing in order to deceive.
This passage describes the blessedness of one who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, echoing Proverbs' theme of deliverance from destructive paths and influences.
Proverbs 1:10-11These verses directly precede the passage in question, setting the stage by warning against the enticements of sinners who urge the reader to join them in evil.
Romans 16:17This New Testament verse instructs believers to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the teaching they have learned, highlighting the ongoing need for discernment against perverted speech.
2 Timothy 3:13This verse speaks of wicked people and impostors becoming worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived, which directly relates to the 'evil man' and those who speak 'froward things' mentioned in Proverbs.
clarkeProverbs 2:12: "To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;"
The man that speaketh froward things - תהפכות tahpuchoth, things of subverston; from תפך taphach, to turn or change the course of a thing. Men who wish to subvert the state of things, whether civil or religious; who are seditious themselves, and wish to make others so. These speak much of liberty and oppression, deal greatly in broad assertions, and endeavor especially to corrupt the mind…
pooleProverbs 2:12: "To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;"
From the way of the evil man; from following his counsel or example, which others for want of wisdom commonly do. That speaketh froward things; with design to corrupt thy mind, and entice thee to evil principles or practices.
The "froward things" aren't just lies; they're distortions deliberately designed to twist truth and subvert good principles. Wisdom's protection, therefore, guards you from those who actively work to pervert your understanding and lead you astray.
This passage is part of a larger section where wisdom's benefits are explained. Following warnings against the "way of the evil man" and the corrupting speech of the perverse, this verse highlights wisdom's protective power. It promises that embracing wisdom will deliver you from following such wicked paths and from being swayed by deceptive words.
This passage is part of a larger section where wisdom's benefits are explained. Following warnings against the "way of the evil man" and the corrupting speech of the perverse, this verse highlights wisdom's protective power. It promises that embracing wisdom will deliver you from following such wicked paths and from being swayed by deceptive words.
"delivering you from the way of evil, from men of perverted speech, who forsake the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness, who rejoice in doing evil and delight in the perverseness of evil, men whose p…" — The "froward things" aren't just lies; they're distortions deliberately designed to twist truth and subvert good principles. Wisdom's protection, therefore, guards you from those who actively work to…
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Last reviewed October 2026
