Proverbs 15:11
New International Version
Death and Destruction lie open before the LORD— how much more do human hearts!

New Living Translation
Even Death and Destruction hold no secrets from the LORD. How much more does he know the human heart!

English Standard Version
Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD; how much more the hearts of the children of man!

Berean Standard Bible
Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD—how much more the hearts of men!

King James Bible
Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?

New King James Version
Hell and Destruction are before the LORD; So how much more the hearts of the sons of men.

New American Standard Bible
Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD, How much more the hearts of mankind!

NASB 1995
Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD, How much more the hearts of men!

NASB 1977
Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD, How much more the hearts of men!

Legacy Standard Bible
Sheol and Abaddon lie open before Yahweh, How much more the hearts of the sons of men!

Amplified Bible
Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead) and Abaddon (the abyss, the place of eternal punishment) lie open before the LORD— How much more the hearts and inner motives of the children of men.

Christian Standard Bible
Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD — how much more, human hearts.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD— how much more, human hearts.

American Standard Version
Sheol and Abaddon are before Jehovah: How much more then the hearts of the children of men!

Contemporary English Version
If the LORD can see everything in the world of the dead, he can see in our hearts.

English Revised Version
Sheol and Abaddon are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men!

GOD'S WORD® Translation
If Sheol and Abaddon lie open in front of the LORD how much more the human heart!

Good News Translation
Not even the world of the dead can keep the LORD from knowing what is there; how then can we hide our thoughts from God?

International Standard Version
Since Sheol and Abaddon lie open in the LORD's presence, how much more the hearts of human beings!

Majority Standard Bible
Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD—how much more the hearts of men!

NET Bible
Death and Destruction are before the LORD--how much more the hearts of humans!

New Heart English Bible
Sheol and Abaddon are before the LORD--how much more then the hearts of human beings.

Webster's Bible Translation
Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?

World English Bible
Sheol and Abaddon are before Yahweh— how much more then the hearts of the children of men!
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Sheol and destruction [are] before YHWH, "" Surely also the hearts of the sons of men.

Young's Literal Translation
Sheol and destruction are before Jehovah, Surely also the hearts of the sons of men.

Smith's Literal Translation
Hades and destruction are before Jehovah: much more the hearts of the sons of man.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Hell and destruction are before the Lord: how much more the hearts of the children of men?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Hell and perdition are in the sight of the Lord. How much more the hearts of the sons of men!

New American Bible
Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD; how much more the hearts of mortals!

New Revised Standard Version
Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD, how much more human hearts!
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Sheol and destruction are before the LORD; how much more than the hearts of men?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Sheol and destruction are in front of LORD JEHOVAH, and also the hearts of the children of men.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The nether-world and Destruction are before the LORD; How much more then the hearts of the children of men!

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Hell and destruction are manifest to the Lord; how shall not also be the hearts of men?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A Gentle Answer Turns Away Wrath
10Discipline is harsh for him who leaves the path; he who hates correction will die. 11Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD— how much more the hearts of men! 12A mocker does not love to be reproved, nor will he consult the wise.…

Cross References
Psalm 139:8
If I ascend to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there.

Job 26:6
Sheol is naked before God, and Abaddon has no covering.

Hebrews 4:13
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

Jeremiah 17:10
I, the LORD, search the heart; I examine the mind to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve.

Revelation 2:23
Then I will strike her children dead, and all the churches will know that I am the One who searches minds and hearts, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.

1 Samuel 16:7
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.”

1 Chronicles 28:9
As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.

Romans 8:27
And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Psalm 44:21
would not God have discovered, since He knows the secrets of the heart?

Matthew 10:26
So do not be afraid of them. For there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, and nothing hidden that will not be made known.

Luke 12:2
There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, and nothing hidden that will not be made known.

1 Corinthians 4:5
Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.

Job 34:21-22
For His eyes are on the ways of a man, and He sees his every step. / There is no darkness or deep shadow where the workers of iniquity can hide.

Psalm 90:8
You have set our iniquities before You, our secret sins in the light of Your presence.

Daniel 2:22
He reveals the deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him.


Treasury of Scripture

Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?

hell

Proverbs 27:20
Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.

Job 26:6
Hell is naked before him, and destruction hath no covering.

Psalm 139:8
If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.

the hearts

2 Chronicles 6:30
Then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and render unto every man according unto all his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou only knowest the hearts of the children of men:)

Psalm 7:9
Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.

Psalm 44:21
Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.

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Abaddon Children Death Destruction Hearts Hell Lie Nether-World Open Sheol Surely Underworld
Proverbs 15
1. A gentle answer turns away wrath














Sheol
In the Hebrew context, "Sheol" refers to the realm of the dead, a shadowy place where the departed souls reside. It is often depicted as a place of darkness and silence, beyond the reach of human understanding. The use of "Sheol" here emphasizes the omniscience of God, who sees into the depths of the earth and the mysteries of life and death. This serves as a reminder that nothing is hidden from God, not even the most secretive aspects of existence.

Abaddon
This term is often associated with destruction and ruin, sometimes personified as a place or entity of destruction. In the Hebrew Bible, "Abaddon" is linked with the grave and the ultimate end of life. The mention of "Abaddon" alongside "Sheol" underscores the completeness of God's knowledge and authority over all realms, both physical and spiritual. It highlights the futility of trying to hide anything from God, who is sovereign over all creation.

lie open
The phrase "lie open" conveys the idea of complete exposure and transparency. In the original Hebrew, the concept is one of being laid bare or uncovered. This imagery suggests that before God, nothing is concealed; everything is visible and known. It is a powerful reminder of God's penetrating insight and the futility of attempting to hide our true selves from Him.

before the LORD
The term "LORD" here is a translation of the Hebrew "YHWH," the sacred and personal name of God. It signifies His eternal presence and covenant relationship with His people. The phrase "before the LORD" indicates that all things exist in the presence of God, who is both judge and redeemer. It reassures believers of God's intimate involvement in the world and His ultimate authority over all things.

how much more
This rhetorical phrase is used to draw a comparison, emphasizing the greater certainty or intensity of the latter statement. It suggests that if God has complete knowledge of the vast and mysterious realms of Sheol and Abaddon, then His understanding of human hearts is even more profound. It serves to magnify God's omniscience and the depth of His insight into human nature.

the hearts of men
In biblical terms, the "heart" is often seen as the center of one's being, encompassing thoughts, emotions, and will. It is the seat of moral and spiritual life. The phrase "the hearts of men" highlights the inner life of individuals, which is fully known to God. This serves as both a warning and an encouragement: a warning that God sees our innermost thoughts and intentions, and an encouragement that He understands us completely and loves us despite our flaws.

(11) Hell and destruction.--"Hell" is here the general name for the unseen world (Hades) beyond the grave, so called, according to one derivation, from its always "asking" for more victims, and never being satisfied. (Comp. Proverbs 27:20.) "Destruction" (Abaddon) is the lowest hell, corresponding to the "abyss" of Luke 8:31; Revelation 9:1; Revelation 9:11; the abode of evil spirits and the lost. (For the thought, comp. Job 26:6, and Psalm 139:8.) . . . Verse 11. - Hell and destruction are before the Lord. The two words rendered "hell" and "destruction" are respectively Sheol and Abaddon, Infernus and Perditio, Ἅιδης and ἀπώλεια (comp. Proverbs 27:20). The former is used generally as the place to which the souls of the dead are consigned - the receptacle of all departed spirits, whether good or bad. Abaddon is the lowest depth of hell, the "abyss" of Luke 8:31; Revelation 9:2, etc.; 20:l, etc. The clause means that God's eye penetrates even the most secret corners of the unseen world. As Job (Job 26:6) says, "Sheol is naked before him, and Abaddon hath no covering" (comp. Psalm 139:7, etc.). How much more then the hearts of the children of men? (For the form of the expression, comp. Proverbs 11:31 and Proverbs 19:7; and for the import, Proverbs 16:2; Proverbs 21:2; Jeremiah 17:10.) If God knows the secrets of the world beyond the grave, much more does he know the secret thoughts of men on earth. The heart is the source of action (see Matthew 15:19, etc.).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Sheol
שְׁא֣וֹל (šə·’ō·wl)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 7585: Underworld (place to which people descend at death)

and Abaddon
וַ֭אֲבַדּוֹן (wa·’ă·ḇad·dō·wn)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 11: Abaddon -- (place of) destruction or ruin, Abaddon

lie open before
נֶ֣גֶד (ne·ḡeḏ)
Preposition
Strong's 5048: A front, part opposite, a counterpart, mate, over against, before

the LORD—
יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3069: YHWH

how much more
אַ֝֗ף (’ap̄)
Conjunction
Strong's 637: Meaning accession, yea, adversatively though

the hearts
לִבּ֥וֹת (lib·bō·wṯ)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3826: The heart

of men!
אָדָֽם׃ (’ā·ḏām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 15:11 Sheol and Abaddon are before Yahweh-- how (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 15:10
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