Proverbs 16:18
Proverbs 16:18 in Multiple Translations
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Pride goeth before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.
Pride goes before destruction, and a stiff spirit before a fall.
Pride leads to destruction; and an arrogant spirit leads to a fall.
Pride goeth before destruction, and an high minde before the fall.
Before destruction [is] pride, And before stumbling — a haughty spirit.'
Pride goes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall.
Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Pride goeth before destruction: and the spirit is lifted up before a fall.
Being proud will ◄lead to your having/cause you to have► disasters; despising others will result in your being ruined.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 16:18
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Proverbs 16:18 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
לִ/פְנֵי
שֶׁ֥בֶר
גָּא֑וֹן
וְ/לִ/פְנֵ֥י
כִ֝שָּׁל֗וֹן
גֹּ֣בַהּ
רֽוּחַ
לִ/פְנֵי
pânîym
H6440
face
Prep | N-cp
שֶׁ֥בֶר
sheber
H7667
breaking
N-ms
גָּא֑וֹן
gâʼôwn
H1347
pride
N-ms
וְ/לִ/פְנֵ֥י
pânîym
H6440
face
Conj | Prep | N-cp
כִ֝שָּׁל֗וֹן
kishshâlôwn
H3783
stumbling
N-ms
גֹּ֣בַהּ
gôbahh
H1363
height
N-ms
רֽוּחַ
rûwach
H7307
spirit
N-cs
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 16:18
לִ/פְנֵי
pânîym
H6440
"face"
Prep | N-cp
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.
שֶׁ֥בֶר
sheber
H7667
"breaking"
N-ms
This word describes a breaking or shattering, like a physical injury or a dream being interpreted, and is used to convey ruin or destruction in the Bible.
Definition: 1) breaking, fracture, crushing, breach, crash, ruin, shattering 1a) breaking, fracture, shattering, crushing 1b) crashing 1c) breaking (of a dream), interpretation 1d) quarries
Usage: Occurs in 41 OT verses. KJV: affliction, breach, breaking, broken(-footed, -handed), bruise, crashing, destruction, hurt, interpretation, vexation. See also: Leviticus 21:19; Jeremiah 6:1; Psalms 60:4.
גָּא֑וֹן
gâʼôwn
H1347
"pride"
N-ms
This Hebrew word means pride or majesty, describing something excellent or arrogant, like nations or God's power, as seen in the KJV translations of Isaiah and Psalms.
Definition: 1) exaltation, majesty, pride 1a) majesty, exaltation, excellence 1a1) of nations 1a2) of God 1a3) of the Jordan 1b) pride, arrogance (bad sense)
Usage: Occurs in 45 OT verses. KJV: arrogancy, excellency(-lent), majesty, pomp, pride, proud, swelling. See also: Exodus 15:7; Jeremiah 13:9; Psalms 47:5.
וְ/לִ/פְנֵ֥י
pânîym
H6440
"face"
Conj | Prep | N-cp
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.
כִ֝שָּׁל֗וֹן
kishshâlôwn
H3783
"stumbling"
N-ms
Stumbling refers to a fall or ruin, often caused by a mistake or weakness. It can be physical or spiritual, and is mentioned in books like Jeremiah and Ezekiel.
Definition: a stumbling, a fall, a calamity
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: fall. See also: Proverbs 16:18.
גֹּ֣בַהּ
gôbahh
H1363
"height"
N-ms
Height refers to something elevated or grand, like a high place or a feeling of pride, as seen in the story of the Tower of Babel.
Definition: 1) height, exaltation 1a) height 1b) exaltation, grandeur 1c) haughtiness
Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: excellency, haughty, height, high, loftiness, pride. See also: 1 Samuel 17:4; Jeremiah 48:29; Psalms 10:4.
רֽוּחַ
rûwach
H7307
"spirit"
N-cs
In the Bible, this word for spirit refers to the breath of life, the wind, or a person's mind and emotions, as seen in the book of Ezekiel.
Definition: : spirit 1) wind, breath, mind, spirit 1a) breath 1b) wind 1b1) of heaven 1b2) quarter (of wind), side 1b3) breath of air 1b4) air, gas 1b5) vain, empty thing 1c) spirit (as that which breathes quickly in animation or agitation) 1c1) spirit, animation, vivacity, vigour 1c2) courage 1c3) temper, anger 1c4) impatience, patience 1c5) spirit, disposition (as troubled, bitter, discontented) 1c6) disposition (of various kinds), unaccountable or uncontrollable impulse 1c7) prophetic spirit 1d) spirit (of the living, breathing being in man and animals) 1d1) as gift, preserved by God, God's spirit, departing at death, disembodied being 1e) spirit (as seat of emotion) 1e1) desire 1e2) sorrow, trouble 1f) spirit 1f1) as seat or organ of mental acts 1f2) rarely of the will 1f3) as seat especially of moral character 1g) Spirit of God, the third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, coequal, coeternal with the Father and the Son 1g1) as inspiring ecstatic state of prophecy 1g2) as impelling prophet to utter instruction or warning 1g3) imparting warlike energy and executive and administrative power 1g4) as endowing men with various gifts 1g5) as energy of life 1g6) as manifest in the Shekinah glory 1g7) never referred to as a depersonalised force
Usage: Occurs in 348 OT verses. KJV: air, anger, blast, breath, [idiom] cool, courage, mind, [idiom] quarter, [idiom] side, spirit(-ual), tempest, [idiom] vain, (whirl-) wind(-y). See also: Genesis 1:2; Job 6:26; Psalms 1:4.
Study Notes — Proverbs 16:18
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 16:18 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 16:18
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 16:18
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 16:18
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 16:18
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 16:18
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 16:18
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 16:18
- Sermons on Proverbs 16:18
Context — The Reply of the Tongue Is from the LORD
16How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.
17The highway of the upright leads away from evil; he who guards his way protects his life.
18Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
19It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humble than to divide the spoil with the proud. 20Whoever heeds instruction will find success, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 11:2 | When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom. |
| 2 | Isaiah 2:11–12 | The proud look of man will be humbled, and the loftiness of men brought low; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day. For the Day of the LORD of Hosts will come against all the proud and lofty, against all that is exalted— it will be humbled— |
| 3 | Proverbs 18:12 | Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor. |
| 4 | Obadiah 1:3–4 | The pride of your heart has deceived you, O dwellers in the clefts of the rocks whose habitation is the heights, who say in your heart, ‘Who can bring me down to the ground?’ Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, even from there I will bring you down,” declares the LORD. |
| 5 | Proverbs 29:23 | A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor. |
| 6 | 1 Timothy 3:6 | He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same condemnation as the devil. |
| 7 | Proverbs 17:19 | He who loves transgression loves strife; he who builds his gate high invites destruction. |
| 8 | Romans 11:20 | That is correct: They were broken off because of unbelief, but you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. |
| 9 | Esther 6:6 | Haman entered, and the king asked him, “What should be done for the man whom the king is delighted to honor?” Now Haman thought to himself, “Whom would the king be delighted to honor more than me?” |
| 10 | Daniel 4:30–37 | the king exclaimed, “Is this not Babylon the Great, which I myself have built by the might of my power as a royal residence and for the glory of my majesty?” While the words were still in the king’s mouth, a voice came from heaven: “It is decreed to you, King Nebuchadnezzar, that the kingdom has departed from you. You will be driven away from mankind to live with the beasts of the field, and you will feed on grass like an ox. And seven times will pass you by, until you acknowledge that the Most High rules over the kingdom of mankind and gives it to whom He wishes.” At that moment the sentence against Nebuchadnezzar was fulfilled. He was driven away from mankind. He ate grass like an ox, and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven, until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird. But at the end of those days I, Nebuchadnezzar, looked up to heaven, and my sanity was restored to me. Then I praised the Most High, and I honored and glorified Him who lives forever: “For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom endures from generation to generation. All the peoples of the earth are counted as nothing, and He does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth. There is no one who can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’” At the same time my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne, and surpassing greatness was added to me. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, for all His works are true and all His ways are just. And He is able to humble those who walk in pride. |
Proverbs 16:18 Summary
This verse means that when we let pride and arrogance control our lives, it can lead to big problems and even disaster. It's like walking blindly into trouble because we think we're better than everyone else. But if we humble ourselves and recognize our need for God, we can avoid these pitfalls and find wisdom and guidance, as promised in Proverbs 3:5-6 and Jeremiah 29:11. By staying humble and dependent on God, we can walk in safety and find true success, as seen in Psalm 37:23-24 and Proverbs 28:26.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for pride to go before destruction?
According to Proverbs 16:18, pride is a precursor to destruction, meaning that an inflated sense of self-importance can lead to a downfall, as seen in the examples of Lucifer in Isaiah 14:12-17 and King Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4:28-37.
How does a haughty spirit lead to a fall?
A haughty spirit, or an attitude of arrogance and superiority, can lead to a fall because it blinds us to our own weaknesses and vulnerabilities, making us more susceptible to mistakes and failures, as warned in 1 Corinthians 10:12 and 1 Peter 5:5-6.
Is it possible to avoid the destruction that comes with pride?
Yes, it is possible to avoid the destruction that comes with pride by humbling ourselves before God, as encouraged in Proverbs 22:4 and James 4:10, and seeking wisdom and guidance from Him, as promised in Proverbs 2:6-8 and Jeremiah 29:12-13.
What is the opposite of a haughty spirit, and how can we cultivate it?
The opposite of a haughty spirit is a humble and lowly spirit, which can be cultivated by recognizing our dependence on God, as seen in Psalm 51:17 and Matthew 5:3, and by seeking to serve and uplift others, as taught in Mark 9:35 and Philippians 2:3-4.
Reflection Questions
- In what ways do I struggle with pride and a haughty spirit in my own life, and how can I begin to humble myself before God?
- What are some warning signs that I may be headed for a fall due to my own pride, and how can I seek accountability and guidance from others?
- How can I balance confidence and self-assurance with humility and a willingness to learn from others, as encouraged in Proverbs 1:7 and 9:9?
- What are some practical ways I can cultivate a lowly and humble spirit, such as through prayer, service, and seeking feedback from others, as seen in Psalm 25:9 and 1 Peter 5:5-6?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 16:18
Pride [goeth] before destruction,.... As it did in the angels that sinned, who, through pride, fell into condemnation, not being able to bear the thought that the human nature, in the person of the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 16:18
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Pride goeth before destruction. In Proverbs 11:2 it is "When pride cometh, then cometh shame." And an haughty spirit before a fall.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 16:18
Pride goeth before destruction; it is commonly a forerunner and cause of men’ s ruin, because it highly provokes both God and men.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 16:18
Proverbs 16:18 Pride [goeth] before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.Ver. 18. Pride goeth before destruction.] A bulging wall is near a downfall. Swelling is a dangerous symptom in the body; so is pride in the soul. Sequitur superbos ultor a tergo Deus. Surely, as the swelling of the spleen is dangerous for health, and of the sails for the overbearing of a little vessel, so is the swelling of the heart by pride. Instances hereof we have in history not a few. Pharaoh, Adonibezek, Agag, Haman, Herod, &c. Xerxes, having covered the seas with his ships, and with two millions of men, and passed over into Greece, was afterwards, by a just hand of God upon him for his prodigious pride, forced to flee back in a poor fisher’ s boat, which, being overburdened, had sunk all, if the Persians, by the casting away of themselves, had not saved the life of their king. It was a great foretoken of Darius’ s ruin, when in his proud embassy to Alexander he called himself the king of kings and cousin of the gods; but for Alexander he called him his servant. The same senators that accompanied proud Sejanus to the senate conducted him the same day to prison; they which sacrificed unto him as to their god, which erst kneeled down to adore him, scoffed at him, seeing him dragged from the temple to the jail - from supreme honour to extreme ignominy.
Sigismund, the young King of Hungary, beholding the greatness of his army, in his great jollity, hearing of the coming of the Turks, proudly said, What need we fear the Turk, who need not at all to fear the falling of the heavens; which, if they should fall, yet were we able, with our spears and halberts, to hold them up from falling upon us? He afterwards shortly received a notable overthrow, lost most of his men, and was himself glad to get over Danube in a little boat to save his life. What should I speak of Bajazet, the terror of the world, and, as he thought, superior to fortune, yet in an instant, with his state, in one battle, overthrown into the bottom of misery and despair, and that in the midst of his greatest strength? Seneca. Herod. Quintus Curtius. Dio. in Tiberio. Turkish History, fol. 208. Ibid., 287.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 16:18
(18) Pride goeth before destruction.—In contrast to the blessing promised to humility in Proverbs 15:33.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 16:18
Verse 18. Pride goeth before destruction] Here pride is personified: it walks along, and has destruction in its train. And a haughty spirit before a fall.] Another personification. A haughty spirit marches on, and ruin comes after. In this verse we find the following Masoretic note in most Hebrew Bibles. חצי הספר chatsi hassepher: "the middle of the book." This verse is the middle verse; and the first clause makes the middle of the words of the book of Proverbs.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 16:18
18. Pride… destruction — Better, Before breaking up, splendour! and before ruin, loftiness of spirit!
Sermons on Proverbs 16:18
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Humility vs Pride by Gerhard Du Toit | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the destructive nature of pride in a person's life. They emphasize the importance of recognizing and repenting of pride, as it hinders one's r |
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God's Neibourhood by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of setting our minds, hearts, and affections on eternal things where God dwells. They highlight the contrast between the value |
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Brokenness by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of God breaking us in order to use us effectively. He uses the example of Jacob being broken for twenty years in his father-in |
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Dependence Upon the Lord by K.P. Yohannan | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the destruction of a printing press and the loss of valuable materials. He emphasizes the importance of humility and exalting God in all asp |
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Grain Offering - Leviticus 2 by Jacob Prasch | In this sermon, the speaker discusses his visit to the Airport Vineyard Church in Toronto and expresses his shock at the extreme and unscriptural practices he witnessed there. He e |
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Voices From Hell Speaking to America - Part 3 by Alan Cairns | This sermon delves into the prophetic lamentation of the impending destruction of Pharaoh, his armies, and the great Egyptian nation, challenging the false hope placed in Egypt's m |
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(2006 Conference) 6.the Need in Our Midst Today by Zac Poonen | This sermon emphasizes the importance of raising up godly leaders in churches, highlighting the joy of seeing humble brothers whom God has blessed without becoming proud. It warns |