TRV
Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Proverbs 14:16.
Note, 1. Holy fear is an excellent guard upon every holy thing, and against every thing that is unholy. It is wisdom to depart from evil, from the evil of sin, and thereby from all other evil; and therefore it is wisdom to fear, that is, to be jealous over ourselves with a godly jealousy, to keep up a dread of God's wrath, to be afraid of coming near the borders of sin or dallying with the beginnings of it. A wise man, for fear of harm, keeps out of harm's way, and starts back in a fright when he finds himself entering into temptation. 2. Presumption is folly. He who, when he is warned of his danger, rages and is confident, furiously pushes on, cannot bear to be checked, bids defiance to the wrath and curse of God, and, fearless of danger, persists in his rebellion, makes bold with the occasions of sin, and plays upon the precipice, he is a fool, for he acts against his reason and his interest, and his ruin will quickly be the proof of his folly.
Historical interpretation
Five Centuries of Reception
2 surviving comments on this verse. Each one is dated, so this reads as a timeline rather than a list.
Select a marker to jump to its quote. Markers stagger vertically where authors wrote within a few decades of each other.
The fear of God is Deoj [in Greek]. But if fear is perturbation of mind, as some will have it that fear is perturbation of mind, yet all fear is not perturbation. Superstition is indeed perturbation of mind; being the fear of demons, that produce and are subject to the excitement of passion. On the other hand, consequently, the fear of God, who is not subject to perturbation, is free of perturbation. For it is not God, but failing away from God, that the man is terrified for. And he who fears this-that is, falling into evils-fears and dreads those evils. And he who fears a fall, wishes himself to be free of corruption and perturbation. "The wise man, fearing, avoids evil: but the foolish, trusting, mixes himself with it," says the Scripture.
The wise man fears and departs from evil, etc. Just as it is foolish to trust in one's own eagerness and wish to leap a fast river or a wider abyss, but wise to turn to a plain or bridge, so he who avoids sins as much as possible, fearing he may be involved in evils, is wise. But that man is foolish who sins with disdain, flattering himself that either he will repent of his actions at a later time, or if he suddenly dies, that he will bravely endure the punishments of hell.
Continue studying Proverbs 14:16 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
Summary
Proverbs 14:16 masterfully contrasts the paths of wisdom and folly, revealing that a profound, reverential awe of God leads the discerning individual to exercise prudent caution and actively turn away from evil, thereby safeguarding their life. In stark opposition, the fool, characterized by volatile impulsiveness and a dangerous, unfounded self-assurance, rushes headlong into peril, demonstrating a profound lack of discernment and an unwillingness to heed instruction or consequences. This verse encapsulates a core theme of Proverbs: the life-preserving benefits of wisdom rooted in divine reverence versus the destructive outcomes of self-reliant folly.
Context
Literary Context
Proverbs 14:16 is situated within the extensive collection of Solomonic proverbs found in Proverbs 10:1-22:16, a section predominantly characterized by antithetical parallelism. This literary structure is central to the book's pedagogical method, placing two contrasting ideas or statements side-by-side to highlight their differences and underscore a moral or theological truth. In this particular verse, the sharp dichotomy between the "wise man" and the "fool" serves as a microcosm of the entire book's overarching theme: the two divergent paths of life—one leading to flourishing and blessing through wisdom, the other to ruin and destruction through folly. The immediate verses often reinforce this pattern of contrasting character traits and their inevitable outcomes, emphasizing the practical and spiritual implications of one's disposition and choices.
Historical & Cultural Context
The book of Proverbs emerged from the ancient Near Eastern wisdom tradition, which sought to transmit practical and moral instruction for living a successful and righteous life within a community governed by divine principles. In ancient Israel, wisdom was not merely intellectual acumen but a holistic way of life—a skill for living rightly before God and humanity. Crucially, the "fear of the Lord" was the foundational principle that distinguished Israelite wisdom from more secular wisdom traditions of the surrounding cultures. Proverbs were often taught orally, passed down from elders to youth, and served as ethical guidelines for navigating social relationships, economic dealings, and personal conduct. The stark contrast between the "wise" and the "fool" would have resonated deeply in a society where communal well-being and individual prosperity were understood to be intrinsically linked to adherence to established moral and divine codes.
Key Themes
This verse powerfully articulates several key themes pervasive throughout the book of Proverbs. Firstly, it underscores the "fear of the Lord" as the beginning and cornerstone of true wisdom, as declared in Proverbs 9:10 and reiterated in Proverbs 1:7. This "fear" is not terror but a reverential awe that leads to humility, obedience, and a healthy caution against sin. Secondly, it highlights the active and volitional nature of wisdom, which involves a deliberate "departing from evil." This is not passive avoidance but a conscious, moral choice to separate oneself from destructive paths, reflecting a commitment to righteousness and a recognition of consequences. Thirdly, the verse vividly portrays the destructive nature of folly, particularly the fool's characteristic "raging" (impulsiveness, lack of self-control) and "confidence" (arrogance, misplaced trust). This dangerous confidence is often rooted in self-deception or a refusal to acknowledge reality, leading to self-inflicted harm, as seen in the fool's disregard for instruction in Proverbs 12:15.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
This term denotes someone intelligent, skillful, or artful. In the context of Proverbs, "wise" transcends mere intellectual capacity; it signifies a person who possesses practical discernment and moral insight, applying divine truth to daily life. This wisdom is rooted in a right relationship with God and manifests in prudent, righteous behavior.
This word means "fearing" or "reverent." It describes a deep, respectful awe and reverence for God, recognizing His sovereignty, holiness, and justice. This fear is not a cowering dread but a profound honor that motivates obedience and a careful avoidance of anything displeasing to God, leading to a cautious and discerning approach to life's dangers and moral choices.
This term refers to someone who is "fat," figuratively "stupid" or "silly." In Proverbs, a kesil is not merely unintelligent but morally deficient—stubborn, resistant to instruction, and often arrogant in their ignorance. They are characterized by a profound lack of discernment and a propensity for self-destructive behavior, consistently choosing paths that lead to ruin.
Verse Breakdown
"A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil"
This initial clause describes the discerning individual whose life is shaped by a profound reverence for God. The "fear" is a reverential awe of God, which serves as the primary motivator for their actions and decisions. This deep respect for divine authority and moral order naturally leads them to "depart from evil." This "departing" (Hebrew: çûwr, H5493) is an active, intentional turning away from harmful paths, sinful actions, and destructive influences. It signifies prudence, caution, and a proactive commitment to righteousness, understanding that certain choices lead to ruin and actively avoiding them.
"but the fool rageth, and is confident."
This contrasting clause vividly reveals the nature of the foolish person. The fool "rageth" (Hebrew: ʻâbar, H5674), implying an impulsive, often uncontrolled display of anger, a heedless rushing forward without thought, or an unrestrained outburst. This emotional volatility is coupled with a dangerous "confidence" (Hebrew: bâṭach, H982). Unlike the wise person's cautious reverence, the fool's confidence is misplaced—it is an arrogant self-assurance, a stubborn refusal to acknowledge danger, or an overestimation of their own abilities or immunity to consequences. This combination of impulsiveness and unfounded certainty often leads them into trouble and destruction.
Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in Proverbs 14:16 is Antithetical Parallelism. This structure is foundational to much of the book of Proverbs, presenting two contrasting ideas or statements in parallel to highlight their differences and emphasize a moral truth. Here, the characteristics and behaviors of the "wise man" are set in direct opposition to those of the "fool," creating a sharp Juxtaposition that underscores the divergent outcomes of their respective paths. The verse also implicitly uses Characterization, vividly portraying the internal dispositions and external actions that define wisdom and folly. The actions of "fearing and departing" versus "raging and being confident" serve as metonyms for the entire lifestyle of each character type, illustrating that one's inner disposition inevitably manifests in outward conduct.
Theological and Thematic Connections
Proverbs 14:16 profoundly articulates the biblical worldview that wisdom is not merely intellectual but spiritual and moral, rooted in a right relationship with God. The "fear of the Lord" is consistently presented as the wellspring of true wisdom, leading to a life characterized by discernment, prudence, and a proactive avoidance of sin. This divine reverence cultivates a healthy caution, an awareness of consequences, and a humble submission to God's ways. In stark contrast, the fool's reckless confidence and uncontrolled impulsiveness stem from a fundamental disregard for God's wisdom and a reliance on self, which invariably leads to destruction. This dichotomy highlights humanity's fundamental choice: to walk in humble obedience to God, which brings life and security, or to stubbornly pursue self-reliant folly, which culminates in ruin.
Reflection and Application
Proverbs 14:16 serves as a powerful mirror, inviting us to critically examine the source of our own confidence and the trajectory of our lives. Are we living with a humble, reverential "fear of the Lord," allowing it to shape our decisions and lead us away from evil? Or are we, like the fool, prone to impulsive reactions and a dangerous, unfounded self-assurance that blinds us to potential pitfalls and spiritual dangers? True wisdom cultivates a healthy caution, a discerning spirit that recognizes the consequences of sin and proactively seeks righteousness. It understands that genuine security comes not from self-reliance or bravado, but from trusting in God and walking in His ways. This verse calls us to cultivate a spirit of humility, to be teachable, and to allow God's wisdom to guide our steps, protecting us from the destructive path of unchecked arrogance and impulsivity.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does "fear" mean in the context of "A wise man feareth"?
In biblical wisdom literature, especially in Proverbs, the "fear of the Lord" (Hebrew: yârêʼ) does not mean a cowering terror or fright. Instead, it signifies a profound reverence, awe, and respect for God's holiness, power, and authority. It is a humble recognition of His sovereignty and a deep desire to honor and obey Him. This reverential fear leads to a healthy caution and a moral sensitivity that motivates the wise person to avoid evil and walk in paths of righteousness. It is the foundational principle for true wisdom and discernment, as highlighted in Proverbs 1:7 and Proverbs 9:10. This fear is a loving, obedient response to God's character.
Why does the fool "rage" and what does it signify?
The Hebrew word translated "rageth" (ʻâbar) can imply a heedless, impulsive rushing forward, often without thought or self-control, or even an outburst of anger. In the context of the fool, it signifies a lack of emotional restraint and a tendency to act on raw, volatile impulses rather than reasoned judgment. This "raging" illustrates the fool's instability, their inability to control their passions, and their readiness to plunge into situations without considering the consequences. It contrasts sharply with the wise person's measured caution and deliberate departure from evil, emphasizing the fool's self-destructive impulsiveness and lack of discernment.
What is the danger of the fool's "confidence"?
The fool's "confidence" (Hebrew: bâṭach) is dangerous because it is misplaced and unfounded. Unlike the wise person's trust in God, the fool's confidence is often rooted in arrogance, ignorance, or a stubborn refusal to acknowledge reality or potential dangers. It's a self-assurance that blinds them to their own vulnerabilities, to the warnings of others, and to the inevitable consequences of their foolish actions. This overconfidence leads them to rush headlong into situations that a wise person would carefully avoid, demonstrating a profound lack of discernment and an unwillingness to learn from mistakes or heed instruction, ultimately leading to trouble and ruin. This contrasts with the wise person's humble dependence on God, which is the true source of security.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
Proverbs 14:16, like all wisdom literature, finds its ultimate fulfillment and perfect embodiment in Jesus Christ. He is the Wisdom of God personified (1 Corinthians 1:24), the one who perfectly "feared" the Lord in the truest sense—not with terror, but with profound reverence, humble obedience, and complete submission to the Father's will. His entire life was a seamless "departing from evil," as He was without sin (Hebrews 4:15) and perfectly obeyed the Father even unto death on the cross (Philippians 2:8). In stark contrast to the fool who rages and is confident in self, Jesus demonstrated perfect self-control and humble reliance on God, even when facing immense pressure and opposition (Luke 22:42). His confidence was not born of arrogance but of perfect communion with the Father and a steadfast commitment to His redemptive mission. Through Christ, we who were once foolish and confident in our own ways can receive true wisdom, a new heart to fear God, and the power to depart from evil, finding our true confidence and security in Him alone (Colossians 2:3). He is the path, the truth, and the life, guiding us away from the destructive confidence of folly and into the life-giving wisdom of God.