Proverbs 11:3 — Word Study
WLCתֻּמַּ֣ת יְשָׁרִ֣ים תַּנְחֵ֑ם וְסֶ֖לֶף בּוֹגְדִ֣ים יְשָׁדֵּֽם׃
BSAThe integritytummâh [moral purity, innocence] of the uprightyâshâr [just, righteous] guides themnâchâh▸ [leads, directs] but the perversityçeleph [crookedness, distortion] of the faithlessbâgad [treacherous, deceitful] destroys themshâdad [ruins, devastates]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| תֻּמַּ֣ת | [the] integrity of | Noun common, feminine singular construct |
| יְשָׁרִ֣ים | upright [people] | Adj |
| תַּנְחֵ֑ם | it guides them | Verb hiphil imperfect third person feminine singular, suffix |
| וְסֶ֖לֶף | and [the] crookedness of | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular construct |
| בּוֹגְדִ֣ים | treacherous [people] | Verb, Qal, participle (active) masculine plural |
| יְשָׁדֵּֽם׃ | it destroys them | Verb qal imperfect third person masculine singular, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of the faithless destroys them. |
| KJV | The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them. |
| ASV | The integrity of the upright shall guide them; But the perverseness of the treacherous shall destroy them. |
| YLT | The integrity of the upright leadeth them, And the perverseness of the treacherous destroyeth them. |
| WEB | The integrity of the upright shall guide them, but the perverseness of the treacherous shall destroy them. |
| BBE | The righteousness of the upright will be their guide, but the twisted ways of the false will be their destruction. |
Where they part company is וְסֶ֖לֶף — see How Translations Differ.
Two main clauses connected by a conjunction, highlighting the contrast between integrity and treachery.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbבָּגַד
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Proverbs 11:3
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Wisdom Literature of Proverbsgenerated
Proverbs 11:3 presents a contrast between the moral paths of the upright and the faithless. The surrounding verses emphasize the importance of humility and righteousness in guiding one's life, suggesting that integrity leads to wisdom and protection, while treachery results in destruction. This section of Proverbs serves as a guide for ethical living and decision-making.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 11:5 | The righteousness of the blameless directs their path, but the wicked fall by their own wickedness. |
| 2 | Proverbs 13:6 | Righteousness guards the man of integrity, but wickedness undermines the sinner. |
| 3 | Psalm 25:21 | May integrity and uprightness preserve me, because I wait for You. |
| 4 | Psalm 26:1 | Vindicate me, O LORD! For I have walked with integrity; I have trusted in the LORD without wavering. |
| 5 | John 7:17 | If anyone desires to do His will, he will know whether My teaching is from God or whether I speak on My own. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 9 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — תֻּמַּ֣ת, tu.Matgenerated
The word תֻּמָּה (tummah) is a feminine noun meaning 'integrity' or 'innocence.' It describes a state of moral purity and is often used to express God's desire for His people to live with integrity. This word emphasizes the importance of being morally upright in one's actions.
In this verse, תֻּמַּ֣ת signifies the guiding principle for the upright, indicating that their integrity leads them on the right path.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse has two main clauses connected by a conjunction. The first clause centers on the subject of integrity guiding the upright, while the second clause discusses the destruction caused by the crookedness of the treacherous. This structure highlights the contrast between the two moral paths.
The finite verbs תַּנְחֵ֑ם and יְשָׁדֵּֽם govern the respective clauses, showing how integrity leads while treachery destroys.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates תֻּמַּ֣ת as ἀποθανὼν, which suggests a focus on the consequences of integrity. This choice reflects a broader interpretation of moral uprightness in the Greek context.
The term וְסֶ֖לֶף is rendered as δὲ, indicating a shift in focus from the integrity of the upright to the crookedness of the faithless, emphasizing the contrast.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 11:3 explains that the integrity of righteous people guides them, while the crookedness of treacherous people leads to their destruction. This verse highlights the importance of moral uprightness in guiding one's actions and decisions.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Integrity provides a moral compass that directs the actions and decisions of upright individuals, helping them to navigate life's challenges.
The treachery and deceit of faithless individuals result in harmful consequences, both for themselves and for others, ultimately leading to their downfall.
Integrity is emphasized as a key virtue that leads to guidance and protection, contrasting sharply with the destructive nature of treachery.
Examples include making ethical decisions in business, maintaining honesty in relationships, and being trustworthy in community interactions, all of which can lead to long-term benefits.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life do I need to demonstrate more integrity?
- How can I support others in their pursuit of uprightness?
- What are the consequences I have seen from acting treacherously?
- How can I apply the wisdom of this verse in my daily decisions?
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 11:3 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleThe integrity of the upright shall guide them,.... The Spirit of God is the best guide of an upright man; he leads into all truth, and unto the land of uprightness, and continues to be a guide, even
Read John Gill on Proverbs 11 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThe integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 11 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThe integrity of the upright, their sincere obedience to God’ s laws, shall guide them; shall keep them from crooked and dangerous courses, and lead them in a right and safe way. The perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them; those wicked devices by which they design and expect to secure themselves, shall be the instrument of their destruction.
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 11 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 11:3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.Ver. 3. The integrity of the upright shall guide them.] An elegant allusion in the original. Their uprightness shall lead them whither they would, and secure them from danger. They "fulfil the royal law," keep the king’ s highway, and so are kept safe; while those that go out of God’ s precincts are out of his protection. But the perverseness of transgressors.] Of prevaricators, that run upon rough precipices. These are by the prophet Amos likened to horses running upon a rock, where first they break their hoofs, and then their necks.
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 11 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(3) The perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.—Fraudulent persons (literally, those who “cover” a matter up) pervert the truth, thereby ruining their own characters (inasmuch as in time they can hardly distinguish right from wrong), and losing the favour of Almighty God.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 11 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges3. perverseness] Some would render slipperiness; as we say, “a slippery fellow.” The noun occurs here only and in Proverbs 15:4, but the cognate verb is found several times in this Book (Proverbs 13:6, Proverbs 19:3, Proverbs 21:12). What is here meant is the trickiness and want of straightforwardness (the opposite of the “integrity” of the former clause) which mark the character and conduct of the treacherous (R.V.).
Read Cambridge on Proverbs 11 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible3. Shall guide — Or lead them, as a shepherd does his flock. Principles of rectitude shall conduct in the way of safety, but the perverseness of transgressors, or, as it might literally be rendered,
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Proverbs 11 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of the faithless destroys them.
The integrity of the upright shall guide them, but the perverseness of the treacherous shall destroy them.
The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of the faithless destroys them.
The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the unfaithful destroys them.
Tyndale line
The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.
The integrity of the upright shall guide them; But the perverseness of the treacherous shall destroy them.
The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of the treacherous shall destroy them.
The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.
The vprightnes of the iust shall guide them: but the frowardnes of the transgressers shall destroy them.
Strictly literal
The integrity of the upright guideth them; but the crookedness of the unfaithful destroyeth them.
The integrity of the upright leadeth them, And the perverseness of the treacherous destroyeth them.
The integrity of the upright leads them, || And the perverseness of the treacherous destroys them.
The integrity of the upright guideth them; but the cunning of the treacherous destroyeth them.
The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crooked ways of the treacherous destroy them.
From the Latin
The simplicity of the just shall guide them: and the deceitfulness of the wicked shall destroy them.
Simplified
Honesty guides the good, but deceit destroys liars.
The righteousness of the upright will be their guide, but the twisted ways of the false will be their destruction.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text of Proverbs 11:3 states, "תֻּמַּ֣ת יְשָׁרִ֣ים תַּנְחֵ֑ם וְסֶ֖לֶף בּוֹגְדִ֣ים יְשָׁדֵּֽם׃" which translates to "The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of the faithless destroys them." The Septuagint agrees with the Masoretic Text in its word-by-word correspondence, indicating that the key concepts and structure are preserved across these translations. However, the Septuagint may present the verse with different word order and articles, reflecting its unique linguistic style rather than a direct translation. The Samaritan Pentateuch and the Dead Sea Scrolls do not provide differing readings for this verse, thus aligning with the Masoretic Text in meaning and interpretation.
תֻּמַּ֣ת יְשָׁרִ֣ים תַּנְחֵ֑ם וְסֶ֖לֶף בּוֹגְדִ֣ים יְשָׁדֵּֽם׃
6 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Proverbs 11:3
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
תֻּמָּה (tummah) is a feminine noun meaning 'innocence' or 'integrity.' It is derived from a related word, תָּמַם (tamam), and is noted as a late term in the Old Testament. The entries consistently emphasize its meaning related to integrity.
[תֻּמָּה] n.f. integrity (late)
base
H8538 תֻּמָּה
8538 tummah toom-maw'
feminine of 8537; innocence:--integrity.
see HEBREW for 08537
תֻּמָּה (tum.mah) — integrity.
integrity
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular constructHNcfsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
יָשָׁר (yashar) means straight or upright, covering a range of meanings from physical straightness to moral correctness. It can refer to something that is pleasing, just, or fitting, as well as the concept of uprightness itself. The term is also associated with a figure named Jashar, mentioned in Joshua 10:13.
יָשָׁר adj. straight, right
straight, level
right, pleasing
straightforward, just, upright
abstr., uprightness
base
H3477 יָשָׁר straight, right . straight, level
. right, pleasing
. straightforward, just, upright
. abstr., uprightness
3477 yashar yaw-shawr'
from 3474; straight (literally or figuratively):--convenient,
equity, Jasher, just, meet(-est), + pleased well right(-eous),
straight, (most) upright(-ly, -ness).
see HEBREW for 03474
יָשָׁר (ya.shar) — upright.
1) straight, upright, correct, right
1a) straight, level
1b) right, pleasing, correct
1c) straightforward, just, upright, fitting, proper
1d) uprightness, righteous, upright
1e) that which is upright (subst)
Also means: ya.shar (יָשָׁר "upright" H3477I)
יָשָׁר (ya.shar) — Jashar.
A man living before Israel's Monarchy, first mentioned at Jos.10.13
יָשָׁר (ya.shar) — upright.
1) straight, upright, correct, right
1a) straight, level
1b) right, pleasing, correct
1c) straightforward, just, upright, fitting, proper
1d) uprightness, righteous, upright
1e) that which is upright (subst)
Adj — AdjHAampa
pe'-p'-l: In English Versions of the Bible represents something over a dozen Hebrew and Greek words. Of these, in the Old Testament, `am, is overwhelmingly the most common (about 2,000 times), with le'om, and goy, next in order; but the various Hebrew words are used with very little or no difference in force (e.g. Pr 14:28; but, on the other hand, in Ps 44 contrast verses 12 and 14). Of the changes introduced by the Revised Version (British and American) the only one of significance (cited explicitly in the Preface to the English Revised Version) is the frequent use of the plural "peoples" (strangely avoided in the King James Version except Re 10:11; 17:15), where other nations than Israel are in question. So, for instance, in Ps…
נָחָה (nachah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to lead or guide. It can imply bringing someone or something to a destination, governing, or even transporting into exile. The entries indicate its use in both the Qal and Hiphil forms, suggesting a range of meanings related to leadership and guidance.
[נָחָה] vb. lead, guide
Qal lead, bring
Hiph. lead, guide
base
H5148 נָחָה lead, guide
5148 nachah naw-khaw'
a primitive root; to guide; by implication, to transport
(into exile, or as colonists):--bestow, bring, govern, guide,
lead (forth), put, straiten.
נָחָה (na.chah) — to lead.
1) to lead, guide
1a) (Qal) to lead, bring
1b) (Hiphil) to lead, guide
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3fs | Suff — Verb hiphil imperfect third person feminine singular · suffixHVhi3fs/Sp3mp
סֶ֫לֶף (celeph) refers to concepts of distortion and crookedness, particularly in a moral or figurative sense. It encompasses meanings like perverseness and crooked dealing. The term is derived from a related root, and its usage highlights themes of moral deviation.
סֶ֫לֶף n.m. crookedness, crooked dealing
base
H5558 סֶ֫לֶף
5558 celeph seh'-lef
from 5557; distortion, i.e. (figuratively)
viciousness:--perverseness.
see HEBREW for 05557
סֶ֫לֶף (se.leph) — crookedness.
crookedness, perverseness, crooked dealing
Conj | N-ms — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular constructHC/Ncmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
בָּגַד (bagad) is a Hebrew verb meaning to act treacherously or deceitfully. It is derived from a root that suggests covering or acting covertly, and it encompasses actions such as offending or being unfaithful. The term appears in various contexts in the Old Testament, highlighting themes of betrayal and unfaithfulness.
[בָּגַד] vb. act or deal treacherously
base
H898 בָּגַד act or deal treacherously
898 bagad baw-gad'
a primitive root; to cover (with a garment); figuratively, to
act covertly; by implication, to pillage:--deal deceitfully
(treacherously, unfaithfully), offend, transgress(-or),
(depart), treacherous (dealer, -ly, man), unfaithful(-ly,
man), X very.
בָּגַד (ba.gad) — to act treacherously.
1) to act treacherously, deceitfully, deal treacherously
1a) (Qal) to act or deal treacherously, faithlessly, deceitfully, offend
V-Qal — Verb · Qal · participle (active) masculine pluralHVqrmpa
pe'-p'-l: In English Versions of the Bible represents something over a dozen Hebrew and Greek words. Of these, in the Old Testament, `am, is overwhelmingly the most common (about 2,000 times), with le'om, and goy, next in order; but the various Hebrew words are used with very little or no difference in force (e.g. Pr 14:28; but, on the other hand, in Ps 44 contrast verses 12 and 14). Of the changes introduced by the Revised Version (British and American) the only one of significance (cited explicitly in the Preface to the English Revised Version) is the frequent use of the plural "peoples" (strangely avoided in the King James Version except Re 10:11; 17:15), where other nations than Israel are in question. So, for instance, in Ps…
שָׁדַד (shadad) is a Hebrew verb that conveys the idea of dealing violently with something, including meanings like despoil, devastate, and ruin. It has various forms, indicating actions such as violently destroying, being utterly ruined, or assaulting. The entries suggest a strong connotation of destruction and oppression, with the word appearing in contexts related to devastation.
[שָׁדַד] 56 vb. deal violently with, despoil, devastate, ruin
Qal violently destroy, pers. = slay
Niph. we are utterly ruined.
Pi. assault not his dwelling-place
Pu. be devastated
Pō‛el violently destroy
Hoph. be devastated
base
H7703 [שָׁדַד] deal violently with, despoil, devastate, ruin
7703 shadad shaw-dad'
a primitive root; properly, to be burly, i.e. (figuratively)
powerful (passively, impregnable); by implication, to
ravage:--dead, destroy(-er), oppress, robber, spoil(-er), X
utterly, (lay) waste.
שָׁדַד (sha.dad) — to ruin.
1) to deal violently with, despoil, devastate, ruin, destroy, spoil
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to violently destroy, devastate, despoil, assail
1a2) devastator, despoiler (participle) (subst)
1b) (Niphal) to be utterly ruined
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to assault
1c2) to devastate
1d) (Pual) to be devastated
1e) (Poel) to violently destroy
1f) (Hophal) to be devastated
Also means: shud (שׁוּד "to waste" H7736)
Conj | N-ms | Suff — Verb qal imperfect third person masculine singular · suffixHVqi3ms/Sp3mp