Proverbs 17:12

ยถ Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, rather than a fool in his folly.

Let a bear {H1677} robbed {H7909} of her whelps meet {H6298} a man {H376}, rather than {H408} a fool {H3684} in his folly {H200}.

Rather meet a bear robbed of its cubs than encounter a fool in his folly.

It is better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool in his folly.

Let a bear robbed of her whelps meet a man, Rather than a fool in his folly.

Commentary

Commentary on Proverbs 17:12 (KJV)

Proverbs 17:12 presents a vivid and stark warning, comparing two extremely dangerous scenarios: encountering a mother bear whose cubs have been taken, and dealing with a fool entrenched in his foolishness. The verse emphatically states that the latter is the more perilous situation.

Context

The Book of Proverbs is a collection of ancient wisdom literature, primarily attributed to King Solomon, designed to impart wisdom, discipline, and understanding for righteous living. It frequently contrasts the paths of the wise and the foolish, highlighting the consequences of each choice. This particular proverb uses a powerful, animalistic metaphor to underscore the profound and often unpredictable danger posed by persistent foolishness, a theme central to the book's teachings on the fear of the Lord as the beginning of knowledge.

Key Themes

  • The Extreme Danger of Folly: The primary message is that a fool, especially one acting out of his inherent foolishness, is more dangerous and destructive than even one of nature's most furious creatures. A bear robbed of its whelps is an image of uncontrolled, primal rage, yet the proverb asserts the fool's capacity for harm exceeds it.
  • Unpredictability and Irrationality: While a bear's rage is predictable in its cause (robbed cubs), the fool's actions are often irrational, stubborn, and impervious to reason, making them incredibly difficult to mitigate or escape.
  • Consequences of Stubborn Ignorance: The "fool in his folly" implies someone who is not merely lacking knowledge but is resistant to instruction, despises wisdom, and whose actions consistently lead to ruin for themselves and others. This resonates with other proverbs that describe the fool's overconfidence and lack of caution.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "fool" here is kesil (ื›ึฐึผืกึดื™ืœ), which refers to a dull, obstinate, and morally deficient person, often characterized by a lack of understanding and an aversion to wisdom. This is distinct from someone who is merely ignorant. The "folly" ('ivveleth) is the characteristic behavior or state of such a person โ€“ their stubborn, irrational, and often destructive actions. The proverb suggests that engaging with a kesil in the midst of their 'ivveleth is profoundly perilous because they are not open to reason or persuasion, making their actions highly destructive and often self-perpetuating, much like a dog returning to its vomit.

Practical Application

This proverb offers several timeless lessons for practical living:

  1. Exercise Caution with Stubborn Fools: It's a stark warning about the futility and danger of trying to reason with, or even being in the path of, someone who is determined to act foolishly. Their actions can cause immense damage, not only to themselves but also to those around them.
  2. Seek Wisdom and Self-Control: The verse implicitly encourages us to avoid becoming such a fool ourselves. Cultivating wisdom, humility, and the willingness to learn and accept correction are essential for avoiding the destructive path of folly.
  3. Recognize the Source of Danger: While physical threats are obvious, this proverb highlights that moral and intellectual stubbornness can be even more destructive in the long run, eroding relationships, opportunities, and peace. It underscores the importance of discernment in choosing companions and counsel.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Samuel 17:8

    For, said Hushai, thou knowest thy father and his men, that they [be] mighty men, and they [be] chafed in their minds, as a bear robbed of her whelps in the field: and thy father [is] a man of war, and will not lodge with the people.

  • Hosea 13:8

    I will meet them as a bear [that is] bereaved [of her whelps], and will rend the caul of their heart, and there will I devour them like a lion: the wild beast shall tear them.

  • Proverbs 28:15

    ยถ [As] a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; [so is] a wicked ruler over the poor people.

  • Proverbs 27:3

    ยถ A stone [is] heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath [is] heavier than them both.

  • Matthew 2:16

    ยถ Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.

  • 2 Kings 2:24

    And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.
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