Proverbs 17:12

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

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

Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

פָּגוֹשׁ דֹּב שַׁכּוּל בְּאִישׁ וְאַל־כְּסִיל בְּאִוַּלְתּוֹ

Transliteration

pāgôš dōb šakkûl in 'îš wə-'al-kəsîl in 'iwwaltô

Grammar Details

*pāgôš*: infinitive absolute, Qal - to meet/encounter
*dōb*: noun, masculine singular - bear
*šakkûl*: adjective, masculine singular - bereaved
*bə-'îš*: preposition + noun, masculine singular - against a man
*wə-'al*: conjunction + negative particle - and not
*kəsîl*: noun, masculine singular - fool
*bə-'iwwaltô*: preposition + noun, feminine singular + 3rd person masculine singular suffix - in his folly

Word Meanings

*pāgôš*: to meet/encounter/confront
*dōb*: bear
*šakkûl*: bereaved/robbed of cubs
*'îš*: man/person
*'al*: not/do not
*kəsîl*: fool/stupid person
*'iwwaltô*: his folly/foolishness/stupidity

ℹ️

About this Translation

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

Formal EquivalenceSource: American Standard VersionBest for: Word studies and original-language research

🎯 Translation Approach

A highly literal, word-for-word translation (ASV, 1901) augmented with Strong's numbering to connect English words to underlying Hebrew and Greek terms for study.

Word-for-word

5/5

Readability

2/5

💎 Distinctive Features

Integrated Strong's numbering: Links English terms to underlying Hebrew and Greek words for deeper lexical study.
Formal equivalence: Prioritizes close alignment with source-language forms and structures.
Divine name rendering: Frequently renders the Tetragrammaton as Jehovah in the Old Testament, following ASV tradition.
Study-focused formatting: Optimized for reference and research rather than casual reading.

✅ Strengths

High fidelity to original languages
Includes Strong's numbers for precise word study
Consistent lexical choices aid exegesis
Stable, longstanding scholarly text

⚠️ Considerations

Archaic language reduces readability
Older textual basis compared to some modern translations
Strong's numbers are a concordance index, not full lexical definitions

👥 Who is this for?

Ideal for

Pastors and teachers
Seminary students
Serious Bible students
Readers conducting word studies
Those referencing Hebrew/Greek tools

Consider alternatives for

Casual readers
Children and early teens
ESL learners seeking simple English
Readers preferring contemporary language

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Additional Resources

Referenced Verses

2 Sam 17:8 : 8 Hushai said moreover, Thou knowest thy father and his men, that they are mighty men, and they are 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.
Hos 13:8 : 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 lioness; the wild beast shall tear them.
Prov 27:3 : 3 A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; But a fool's vexation is heavier than they both.
Prov 28:15 : 15 [ As] a roaring lion, and a ranging bear, [So is] a wicked ruler over a poor people.
2 Kgs 2:24 : 24 And he looked behind him and saw them, and cursed them in the name of Jehovah. And there came forth two she-bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two lads of them.
Matt 2:16 : 16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the Wise-men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the male children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the borders thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had exactly learned of the Wise-men.

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

Prov 17:10-11
2 verses
78%
10A rebuke entereth deeper into one that hath understanding Than a hundred stripes into a fool.
11An evil man seeketh only rebellion; Therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
Prov 17:13
78%
13Whoso rewardeth evil for good, Evil shall not depart from his house.
Prov 17:24-25
2 verses
75%
24Wisdom is before the face of him that hath understanding; But the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
25A foolish son is a grief to his father, And bitterness to her that bare him.
Prov 26:3-5
3 verses
75%
3A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, And a rod for the back of fools.
4Answer not a fool according to his folly, Lest thou also be like unto him.
5Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own conceit.
Prov 17:21
74%
21He that begetteth a fool [doeth it] to his sorrow; And the father of a fool hath no joy.
Prov 26:9-12
4 verses
74%
9[ As] a thorn that goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, So is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10[As] an archer that woundeth all, So is he that hireth a fool and he that hireth them that pass by.
11As a dog that returneth to his vomit, [So is] a fool that repeateth his folly.
12Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? There is more hope of a fool than of him.
Prov 27:12
74%
12A prudent man seeth the evil, [and] hideth himself; [But] the simple pass on, [and] suffer for it.
Prov 14:16-17
2 verses
73%
16A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil; But the fool beareth himself insolently, and is confident.
17He that is soon angry will deal foolishly; And a man of wicked devices is hated.
Prov 12:15-16
2 verses
73%
15The way of a fool is right in his own eyes; But he that is wise hearkeneth unto counsel.
16A fool's vexation is presently known; But a prudent man concealeth shame.
Amos 5:19
73%
19As if a man did flee from a lion, and a bear met him; or went into the house and leaned his hand on the wall, and a serpent bit him.
Prov 13:16
73%
16Every prudent man worketh with knowledge; But a fool flaunteth [his] folly.
Prov 13:20
73%
20Walk with wise men, and thou shalt be wise; But the companion of fools shall smart for it.
Prov 15:20-21
2 verses
72%
20A wise son maketh a glad father; But a foolish man despiseth his mother.
21Folly is joy to him that is void of wisdom; But a man of understanding maketh straight his going.
Prov 19:1
72%
1Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity Than he that is perverse in his lips and is a fool.
Prov 14:7-8
2 verses
72%
7Go into the presence of a foolish man, And thou shalt not perceive [in him] the lips of knowledge.
8The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way; But the folly of fools is deceit.
Prov 19:3
72%
3The foolishness of man subverteth his way; And his heart fretteth against Jehovah.
Prov 10:23
72%
23It is as sport to a fool to do wickedness; And [so is] wisdom to a man of understanding.
Prov 28:15
71%
15[ As] a roaring lion, and a ranging bear, [So is] a wicked ruler over a poor people.
Prov 22:15
71%
15Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; [But] the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
Prov 17:16
71%
16Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, Seeing he hath no understanding?
Prov 15:5
71%
5A fool despiseth his father's correction; But he that regardeth reproof getteth prudence.
Eccl 10:12
71%
12The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
Prov 29:11
71%
11A fool uttereth all his anger; But a wise man keepeth it back and stilleth it.
Prov 18:2
71%
2A fool hath no delight in understanding, But only that his heart may reveal itself.
Prov 29:9
71%
9If a wise man hath a controversy with a foolish man, Whether he be angry or laugh, there will be no rest.
Eccl 7:5
71%
5It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise, than for a man to hear the song of fools.
Prov 21:19-20
2 verses
71%
19It is better to dwell in a desert land, Than with a contentious and fretful woman.
20There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling of the wise; But a foolish man swalloweth it up.
Prov 29:20
71%
20Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? There is more hope of a fool than of him.
Prov 18:6
71%
6A fool's lips enter into contention, And his mouth calleth for stripes.
Lam 3:10
70%
10He is unto me as a bear lying in wait, as a lion in secret places.
Prov 7:22
70%
22He goeth after her straightway, As an ox goeth to the slaughter, Or as [one in] fetters to the correction of the fool;
Prov 20:3
70%
3It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife; But every fool will be quarrelling.
Eccl 4:13
70%
13Better is a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king, who knoweth not how to receive admonition any more.
Prov 27:3
70%
3A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; But a fool's vexation is heavier than they both.
Eccl 10:3
70%
3Yea also, when the fool walketh by the way, his understanding faileth him, and he saith to every one [that] he is a fool.
Prov 23:9
70%
9Speak not in the hearing of a fool; For he will despise the wisdom of thy words.
Hos 13:8
70%
8I 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 lioness; the wild beast shall tear them.
Prov 11:29
70%
29He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind; And the foolish shall be servant to the wise of heart.