Proverbs 17:20

KJV

¶ He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.

KJV (with Strong's)

He that hath a froward {H6141} heart {H3820} findeth {H4672} no good {H2896}: and he that hath a perverse {H2015} tongue {H3956} falleth {H5307} into mischief {H7451}.

Complete Jewish Bible

A crooked-hearted person will find nothing good, and the perverse of speech will end in calamity.

Berean Standard Bible

The one with a perverse heart finds no good, and he whose tongue is deceitful falls into trouble.

American Standard Version

He that hath a wayward heart findeth no good; And he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 17:20 succinctly articulates a foundational principle of biblical wisdom: a direct correlation exists between one's inner character and outward expression, and the inevitable consequences that follow. It warns that an individual whose heart is twisted or rebellious will fail to experience true well-being or blessing, while one whose speech is deceitful or corrupt will invariably encounter trouble and calamity. This proverb underscores the profound impact of both internal disposition and verbal communication on one's life trajectory, emphasizing that moral choices have inescapable outcomes.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Proverbs 17:20 is situated within the broader collection of Solomon's proverbs (Proverbs 10:1-22:16), which are characterized by their concise, antithetical, or synonymous parallelism. This particular verse employs synonymous parallelism, presenting two parallel clauses that reinforce the same core truth about character and consequence. It aligns with the book's overarching purpose: to impart wisdom, moral instruction, and understanding of God's ways to the simple and the discerning alike. Throughout Proverbs, there's a consistent emphasis on the contrast between the wise and the foolish, the righteous and the wicked, demonstrating that adherence to divine principles leads to life and blessing, while deviation leads to folly and destruction. This verse specifically addresses the internal source of moral action (the heart) and its primary external manifestation (the tongue), a recurring theme in wisdom literature.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, wisdom was not merely intellectual acumen but a practical, moral, and spiritual understanding of how to live in harmony with God's created order. The "heart" (Hebrew: _lêb_) was considered the seat of one's entire being—intellect, will, emotions, and moral character—not just a physical organ. Therefore, a "froward heart" implied a deeply corrupted inner disposition, a deliberate turning away from truth and righteousness. Similarly, the "tongue" (Hebrew: _lâshôwn_) was recognized as an incredibly powerful instrument, capable of both immense good and destructive evil. Society understood that words carried weight, shaping relationships, reputation, and destiny. Proverbs, reflecting this cultural understanding, frequently addresses the importance of controlled and truthful speech, recognizing its direct impact on personal and communal well-being. The consequences described in the verse—the absence of "good" and the falling into "mischief"—were understood as the natural and divinely ordained outcomes of such internal and external perversity within the covenant community.
* **Key Themes:** This proverb powerfully articulates several key themes pervasive in the Book of Proverbs and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it highlights the **primacy of the heart** as the wellspring of life, emphasizing that one's inner disposition fundamentally determines one's experience of "good" or well-being. A heart that is "froward" or twisted will inevitably find itself alienated from true blessing, as also warned in [Proverbs 4:23](/proverbs/4-23 "Proverbs 4:23 - Guarding the Heart"). Secondly, it underscores the **power and peril of the tongue**, illustrating how corrupt speech, stemming from a perverse heart, directly leads to "mischief" or calamity. The Bible consistently warns about the destructive potential of uncontrolled words, as seen in [James 3:8](/james/3-8 "James 3:8 - The Untamable Tongue"). Finally, the verse powerfully illustrates the **principle of sowing and reaping**, a fundamental biblical truth that one's actions, whether internal character or external speech, inevitably yield corresponding consequences. Just as [Galatians 6:7](/galatians/6-7 "Galatians 6:7 - Sowing and Reaping") declares, a life characterized by perversity will inevitably reap trouble, while a life of integrity brings forth good.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Froward (Hebrew, _ʻiqqêsh'_):** Derived from a root meaning "distorted," this term describes something that is twisted, crooked, or perverse. When applied to the "heart" (H3820, _lêb_), it signifies an inner disposition that is morally warped, rebellious against truth, and deliberately turned away from what is upright or righteous. Such a heart is not merely mistaken but actively resists correction and pursues a path contrary to divine wisdom.
* **Good (Hebrew, _ṭôwb'_):** This word is broad in its meaning, encompassing not only moral goodness but also well-being, prosperity, blessing, beauty, and pleasantness. In the context of "findeth no good," it implies that a froward heart is incapable of experiencing genuine flourishing, true happiness, or the blessings that come from living in alignment with God's will. It speaks to a lack of holistic well-being.
* **Mischief (Hebrew, _raʻ'_):** A comprehensive term for evil, trouble, calamity, harm, or wickedness. It denotes a state of adversity or distress. When a "perverse tongue" (H3956, _lâshôwn_) "falleth into mischief," it means that the speaker's crooked or deceitful words inevitably lead them into troublesome situations, personal harm, or destructive outcomes, often self-inflicted.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"He that hath a froward heart findeth no good:"** This clause establishes the internal source of negative outcomes. A "froward heart" (H6141, _ʻiqqêsh_ + H3820, _lêb_) refers to an individual whose inner being—their thoughts, intentions, will, and moral compass—is twisted, crooked, or rebellious against what is right and true. Such a person, by virtue of their corrupted internal state, is inherently incapable of "finding good" (H4672, _mâtsâʼ_ + H2896, _ṭôwb_). This "good" refers to genuine well-being, prosperity, favor, or blessing. Their distorted perspective and rebellious will prevent them from perceiving, pursuing, or receiving the true blessings that come from wisdom and righteousness.
* **"and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief."** This second clause parallels the first, focusing on the external manifestation of inner perversity—the "perverse tongue" (H2015, _hâphak_ + H3956, _lâshôwn_). A "perverse tongue" is one that speaks deceitfully, misleadingly, or in a way that twists the truth. Such speech is a direct outflow of the froward heart. The consequence is that this individual "falleth into mischief" (H5307, _nâphal_ + H7451, _raʻ_). Their crooked words inevitably lead them into trouble, harm, calamity, or evil circumstances, demonstrating a direct cause-and-effect relationship between corrupt speech and negative personal consequences.

#### Literary Devices
Proverbs 17:20 is a masterful example of **Synonymous Parallelism**, a hallmark of Hebrew poetry. Both clauses express the same fundamental truth using different but reinforcing imagery: a corrupted internal state ("froward heart") leads to a lack of positive outcomes ("findeth no good"), just as corrupt external expression ("perverse tongue") leads to negative consequences ("falleth into mischief"). This repetition with variation emphasizes the certainty and universality of the principle. Furthermore, the verse employs **Metonymy**, where "heart" stands for the entire inner person, including intellect, will, and character, and "tongue" stands for speech and communication. This allows for concise yet profound statements about the source and nature of human behavior. The structure also highlights a clear **Cause and Effect** relationship, explicitly linking moral character and verbal conduct to their inevitable results, serving as a didactic warning.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Proverbs 17:20 profoundly illustrates the biblical understanding of human nature and divine justice. It reveals that true "good" or flourishing is not merely external prosperity but an internal state of being that aligns with God's righteous character. A heart that is "froward"—twisted away from divine truth—is inherently incapable of receiving or experiencing this holistic good because its very orientation is contrary to the source of blessing. Similarly, the "perverse tongue" is not just a casual misuse of words but an outward manifestation of that inner corruption, inevitably leading the speaker into "mischief" or calamity. This truth underscores God's moral order, where actions and character have inherent consequences, reflecting His just governance of the world. It calls believers to a profound introspection, recognizing that genuine spiritual health begins with the purification of the heart, which then naturally leads to righteous speech and a life that finds true good.

* [Proverbs 4:23](/proverbs/4-23 "Proverbs 4:23 - Guarding the Heart")
* [James 3:8](/james/3-8 "James 3:8 - The Untamable Tongue")
* [Galatians 6:7](/galatians/6-7 "Galatians 6:7 - Sowing and Reaping")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 17:20 serves as a timeless mirror, inviting us to examine the deepest recesses of our being and the most common expressions of our lives. It challenges us to move beyond superficial morality and consider the root of our actions: the heart. If our inner disposition is twisted by pride, deceit, bitterness, or rebellion against God's truth, we will inevitably find ourselves alienated from true "good"—genuine peace, joy, and blessing that flow from a right relationship with God and others. Furthermore, the proverb highlights the immense power of our words. A "perverse tongue" is not merely one that lies, but one that twists truth, manipulates, slanders, or undermines. Such speech, stemming from a froward heart, creates a path of "mischief" not only for others but, inevitably, for ourselves. This wisdom calls us to cultivate a heart surrendered to God's transforming grace, allowing His Spirit to straighten our crooked paths and purify our intentions. From such a renewed heart will flow words that are truthful, edifying, and life-giving, leading us away from calamity and into the abundant life God intends.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might my "heart" be froward or resistant to God's truth and wisdom?**
* **How might my words, even subtly, reflect a "perverse tongue," leading to unintended "mischief" in my relationships or circumstances?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a more upright heart and a tongue that speaks truth and blessing?**
* **How does understanding the consequences of a froward heart and perverse tongue motivate me to seek deeper transformation?**

### FAQ

**What does it mean to have a "froward heart"?**

Answer: A "froward heart" (from the Hebrew `ʻiqqêsh`) refers to an inner disposition that is twisted, crooked, or perverse. It signifies a moral and spiritual distortion, a deliberate turning away from what is straight, upright, or righteous in God's eyes. It's not just a mistake or a lapse in judgment, but a fundamental orientation of one's will and affections that is rebellious against truth and divine wisdom. Such a heart is resistant to correction and chooses a path contrary to God's design for human flourishing.

**How does a "perverse tongue" lead to "mischief"?**

Answer: A "perverse tongue" (from the Hebrew `hâphak` for "perverse" and `lâshôwn` for "tongue") is one that speaks in a twisted, deceitful, or misleading way. It can involve lying, slandering, manipulating, or distorting truth. Such speech, being an outflow of a corrupted heart, inevitably leads the speaker into "mischief" (from the Hebrew `raʻ`), which encompasses trouble, harm, calamity, or evil circumstances. This is because deceitful words erode trust, create conflict, damage relationships, and ultimately undermine the speaker's own reputation and well-being, often resulting in self-inflicted negative consequences. The proverb highlights the direct cause-and-effect relationship between corrupt communication and personal adversity, underscoring the destructive power of the tongue, as also emphasized in [James 3](/james/3 "James 3 - Taming the Tongue").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 17:20, with its stark warning against the froward heart and perverse tongue, finds its ultimate fulfillment and solution in Jesus Christ. He is the embodiment of the perfectly upright heart and the truthful tongue, never finding "no good" but always experiencing the Father's favor and accomplishing His will. Unlike the one whose heart is twisted, Jesus perfectly submitted His will to the Father's, even to the point of death on the cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humility")). His "heart" was pure, righteous, and perfectly aligned with God's wisdom, enabling Him to be the source of all good for humanity ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). Furthermore, His "tongue" was never perverse; He spoke only truth, grace, and life-giving words, even when facing opposition ([Luke 4:22](/luke/4-22 "Luke 4:22 - Gracious Words")). He did not fall into "mischief" due to His own sin, but rather, He bore the "mischief" and evil of humanity's sin on the cross, becoming sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness")). Through faith in Him, our froward hearts can be transformed and made new ([Ezekiel 36:26](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26 - A New Heart and Spirit")), and our perverse tongues can be redeemed to speak words of truth, grace, and blessing, finding true and eternal "good" in Him.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

James 3:6

And the tongue [is] a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

James 3:8

But the tongue can no man tame; [it is] an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

Proverbs 10:31

¶ The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.

Psalms 18:26

With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself froward.

Proverbs 10:10

¶ He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall.

Proverbs 6:12

¶ A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth.

Proverbs 6:15

Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.