Proverbs 14:2

¶ He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but [he that is] perverse in his ways despiseth him.

He that walketh {H1980} in his uprightness {H3476} feareth {H3373} the LORD {H3068}: but he that is perverse {H3868} in his ways {H1870} despiseth {H959} him.

A person with upright conduct fears ADONAI, but a person who is devious scorns him.

He who walks in uprightness fears the LORD, but the one who is devious in his ways despises Him.

He that walketh in his uprightness feareth Jehovah; But he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.

Commentary on Proverbs 14:2 (KJV)

Proverbs 14:2 offers a concise yet profound contrast between two fundamental ways of living and their underlying spiritual orientations. It highlights that a person's outward conduct is a direct reflection of their inward disposition towards God.

Context

As part of the Book of Proverbs, this verse belongs to a collection of wisdom sayings designed to instruct individuals in righteous living and discernment. The book frequently presents stark comparisons between the wise and the foolish, the righteous and the wicked, illustrating the consequences of each path. This particular proverb focuses on the core attitude that drives one's actions: reverence for God versus contempt for Him.

Key Themes

  • Uprightness vs. Perversity: The verse immediately draws a line between someone who "walketh in his uprightness" and one who is "perverse in his ways."
    • Uprightness: This signifies integrity, honesty, and a straightforward path. It describes a life lived according to moral truth and divine principles.
    • Perversity: In contrast, perversity implies a crooked, twisted, or deceitful way of life. It characterizes actions that are contrary to truth and righteousness.
  • Fear of the Lord vs. Despising God: The proverb reveals the spiritual root of these behaviors.
    • Feareth the LORD: This "fear" is not a cowering dread, but a profound reverence, respect, and awe for God's holiness, power, and authority. It is the acknowledgement of God as supreme and the desire to live in alignment with His will. As other Proverbs clarify, the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge (Proverbs 1:7).
    • Despiseth Him: This is the antithesis of fearing the Lord. It denotes contempt, scorn, and a deliberate disregard for God's commands, His wisdom, and His very existence. Such a person lives as if God does not matter or does not exist, ultimately rejecting His authority.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV accurately captures the essence of the Hebrew terms:

  • "Uprightness" comes from the Hebrew word yosher (יֹשֶׁר), meaning straightness, integrity, or rectitude. It implies a direct, unswerving path.
  • "Feareth the LORD" translates yirat Yahweh (יִרְאַת יְהוָה), emphasizing a deep, reverential awe and submission to God.
  • "Perverse" is from the Hebrew lozez (לוֹזֵז), suggesting someone who is twisted, crooked, or deceitful in their actions and character.
  • "Despiseth" is from bazah (בָּזָה), which means to scorn, hold in contempt, or treat as worthless. This highlights the profound disrespect and rejection of God by the perverse.

Practical Application

Proverbs 14:2 serves as a powerful reminder that our actions are not merely external behaviors but are deeply rooted in our spiritual posture. It challenges us to reflect:

  • Self-Examination: Does my life reflect integrity and honesty, or is there an element of deceit or crookedness? Our walk reveals our reverence.
  • The Heart's Posture: Do I truly fear the Lord with a reverential awe, seeking to obey Him, or do I subtly (or overtly) despise His ways, living as if His commands are irrelevant?
  • Consequences: The proverb implicitly teaches that there are profound consequences to each path. The one who fears the Lord walks in blessing and wisdom, while the one who despises Him walks towards folly and destruction. This aligns with the broader biblical principle of sowing and reaping.

Ultimately, this verse calls believers to a life of consistent integrity, demonstrating their genuine reverence for God through their upright conduct, and warning against the dangers of a twisted path that reveals contempt for the Divine.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Acts 10:35

    But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

  • 2 Timothy 3:2

    For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

  • 2 Timothy 3:3

    Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

  • Proverbs 28:6

    ¶ Better [is] the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than [he that is] perverse [in his] ways, though he [be] rich.

  • Psalms 112:1

    ¶ Praise ye the LORD. Blessed [is] the man [that] feareth the LORD, [that] delighteth greatly in his commandments.

  • Job 28:28

    And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that [is] wisdom; and to depart from evil [is] understanding.

  • Psalms 25:21

    Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee.

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