If you say, "Behold, we did not know about this," does not He who weighs hearts consider it? Does not the One who guards your life know? Will He not repay a man according to his deeds? If you say, 'Behold, we did not know about this,' does not He who weighs hearts consider it?If you sayThis phrase introduces a hypothetical scenario, suggesting a common human tendency to make excuses or plead ignorance. In the Hebrew context, the word for "say" (אָמַר, 'amar) often implies a declaration or assertion. It reflects the human inclination to verbally justify oneself, a theme prevalent throughout Proverbs. The wisdom literature frequently addresses the power and responsibility of speech, urging believers to align their words with truth and integrity. Behold
The Hebrew word for "behold" (הִנֵּה, hinneh) is an imperative that calls for attention and consideration. It is often used in Scripture to draw the reader's focus to something significant or to introduce a revelation. In this context, it emphasizes the gravity of the claim being made and the importance of self-awareness and honesty before God. we did not know about this
This phrase represents a claim of ignorance. In the Hebrew tradition, knowledge (דַּעַת, da'at) is not merely intellectual but involves moral and spiritual understanding. The claim of not knowing is often a defense mechanism to avoid responsibility. However, Proverbs consistently teaches that wisdom and understanding are available to those who seek them, leaving little room for such excuses. does not He who weighs hearts
The imagery of weighing hearts is deeply rooted in the Hebrew understanding of God's omniscience and justice. The word for "weighs" (תֹּכֵן, tochen) suggests measuring or evaluating with precision. In ancient times, scales were used to determine value and authenticity, symbolizing God's ability to discern the true intentions and motivations of the heart (לֵב, lev). This phrase underscores the belief that God is the ultimate judge who sees beyond outward appearances to the core of one's being. consider it?
The Hebrew verb for "consider" (בִּין, bin) implies understanding, discerning, or perceiving. It suggests that God not only observes but also comprehends the full context and implications of human actions and intentions. This assurance of divine insight serves as both a warning and a comfort: a warning to those who might attempt to deceive or justify themselves falsely, and a comfort to those who seek to live transparently before God. Persons / Places / Events 1. He who weighs heartsThis refers to God, who is omniscient and judges the true intentions and thoughts of individuals. 2. He who guards your lifeAgain, this is a reference to God, emphasizing His role as protector and overseer of human life. 3. A manThis represents any individual who might try to excuse their inaction or ignorance regarding moral responsibilities. Teaching Points God's OmniscienceWe cannot hide our true intentions or ignorance from God. He knows our hearts and will hold us accountable. Moral ResponsibilityWe are called to be aware of our moral duties and cannot claim ignorance as an excuse for inaction. Divine JusticeGod’s justice is perfect, and He will repay each person according to their deeds. This should encourage us to live righteously. Self-ExaminationRegularly examine your heart and actions to ensure they align with God’s will, knowing He sees and knows all. Active CompassionBe proactive in addressing the needs and injustices around you, understanding that God expects us to act justly and mercifully. Bible Study Questions 1. How does understanding that God "weighs hearts" influence your daily decisions and actions? 2. In what ways can we ensure that we are not using ignorance as an excuse for inaction in our spiritual and moral responsibilities? 3. How does the concept of God repaying each person according to their deeds challenge or encourage you in your walk with Christ? 4. What practical steps can you take to align your heart and actions with God’s expectations, knowing that He sees and knows all? 5. How can you apply the principle of active compassion in your community, reflecting God’s justice and mercy? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Samuel 16:7This verse highlights that God looks at the heart rather than outward appearances, reinforcing the idea that God weighs the heart. Jeremiah 17:10This scripture speaks of God searching the heart and examining the mind, similar to the theme of God knowing and repaying according to deeds. Romans 2:6Paul writes about God repaying each person according to their deeds, echoing the principle found in Proverbs 24:12. Hebrews 4:13This verse underscores that nothing is hidden from God’s sight, aligning with the idea that God knows and considers all actions and intentions. People SolomonPlaces JerusalemTopics Behold, Consider, Didn't, Doesn't, Guards, Heart, Hearts, Keeper, Keepeth, Keeps, Knoweth, Nothing, Perceive, Ponderer, Pondereth, Preserveth, Render, Rendered, Rendereth, Repay, Requite, Reward, Sayest, Soul, Tester, Understandeth, Watch, Weigheth, Weighs, WorksDictionary of Bible Themes Proverbs 24:12 5016 heart, fallen and redeemed
5360 justice, God
5493 retribution
6183 ignorance, of God
8319 perception, spiritual Library The Sluggard's Garden
'I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; 31. And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.'--PROVERBS xxiv. 30, 31. This picture of the sluggard's garden seems to be intended as a parable. No doubt its direct simple meaning is full of homely wisdom in full accord with the whole tone of the Book of Proverbs; but we shall scarcely do justice to this saying of the wise …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Broken Fence
A sermon (No. 3381) published on Thursday, November 20th 1913. Delivered by C. H. Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington. "I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; and to, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down, Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it and received instruction."--Proverbs 24:30-32. This slothful man did no hurt to his fellow-men: …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs The Sluggard's Farm
A sermon (No. 2027) intended for reading on Lord's Day, June 3rd 1888, delivered by C. H. Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington. "I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction."--Proverbs 24:30-32. No doubt Solomon was sometimes glad …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs Epistle xxxvi. To Maximus, Bishop of Salona .
To Maximus, Bishop of Salona [113] . Gregory to Maximus, &c. When our common son the presbyter Veteranus came to the Roman city, he found me so weak from the pains of gout as to be quite unable to answer thy Fraternity's letters myself. And indeed with regard to the nation of the Sclaves [114] , from which you are in great danger, I am exceedingly afflicted and disturbed. I am afflicted as suffering already in your suffering: I am disturbed, because they have already begun to enter Italy by way …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great The Portrait of a Drunkyard
'Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes? 30. They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine. 31. Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. 32. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder. 33. Thine eyes shall behold strange women, and thine heart shall utter perverse things. 34. Yea, thou shalt be as …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture 2 Cor. Iii. 5
Not that we are sufficient of our selves, to think any thing as of our selves: but our Sufficiency is of God. IN my former Discourse upon these Words, I shewed you that it was the sole Design of St. Paul in them, to declare, that, in the setting about, and executing, the difficult and laborious Work of an Apostle, He did not arrogate to himself the Power, and Ability, and Success, which he had: but that he ascribed his Sufficiency for this great Work, as well as his being designed to it, to God himself, …
Benjamin Hoadly—Several Discourses Concerning the Terms of Acceptance with God How to Make Use of Christ for Taking the Guilt of Our Daily Out-Breakings Away.
The next part of our sanctification is in reference to our daily failings and transgressions, committed partly through the violence of temptations, as we see in David and Peter, and other eminent men of God; partly through daily infirmities, because of our weakness and imperfections; for, "in many things we offend all," James iii. 2; and, "if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us," 1 John i. 8; "a righteous man falleth seven times," Prov. xxiv. 16; "there is not …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life The Justice of God
The next attribute is God's justice. All God's attributes are identical, and are the same with his essence. Though he has several attributes whereby he is made known to us, yet he has but one essence. A cedar tree may have several branches, yet it is but one cedar. So there are several attributes of God whereby we conceive of him, but only one entire essence. Well, then, concerning God's justice. Deut 32:4. Just and right is he.' Job 37:23. Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity The Necessity of Actual Grace
In treating of the necessity of actual grace we must avoid two extremes. The first is that mere nature is absolutely incapable of doing any thing good. This error was held by the early Protestants and the followers of Baius and Jansenius. The second is that nature is able to perform supernatural acts by its own power. This was taught by the Pelagians and Semipelagians. Between these two extremes Catholic theology keeps the golden mean. It defends the capacity of human nature against Protestants and …
Joseph Pohle—Grace, Actual and Habitual Meditations on the Hindrances which Keep Back a Sinner from the Practice of Piety.
Those hindrances are chiefly seven:-- I. An ignorant mistaking of the true meaning of certain places of the holy Scriptures, and some other chief grounds of Christian religion. The Scriptures mistaken are these: 1. Ezek. xxxiii. 14, 16, "At what time soever a sinner repenteth him of his sin, I will blot out all," &c. Hence the carnal Christian gathers, that he may repent when he will. It is true, whensoever a sinner does repent, God will forgive; but the text saith not, that a sinner may repent whensoever …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Scriptures Showing the Sin and Danger of Joining with Wicked and Ungodly Men.
Scriptures Showing The Sin And Danger Of Joining With Wicked And Ungodly Men. When the Lord is punishing such a people against whom he hath a controversy, and a notable controversy, every one that is found shall be thrust through: and every one joined with them shall fall, Isa. xiii. 15. They partake in their judgment, not only because in a common calamity all shares, (as in Ezek. xxi. 3.) but chiefly because joined with and partakers with these whom God is pursuing; even as the strangers that join …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning A Treatise on Good Works
I. We ought first to know that there are no good works except those which God has commanded, even as there is no sin except that which God has forbidden. Therefore whoever wishes to know and to do good works needs nothing else than to know God's commandments. Thus Christ says, Matthew xix, "If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." And when the young man asks Him, Matthew xix, what he shall do that he may inherit eternal life, Christ sets before him naught else but the Ten Commandments. …
Dr. Martin Luther—A Treatise on Good Works Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Proverbs 24:12 NIVProverbs 24:12 NLTProverbs 24:12 ESVProverbs 24:12 NASBProverbs 24:12 KJV
Proverbs 24:12 Commentaries
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