What Does Proverbs 27:12 Mean in the King James?
A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
Seeing danger is not complete until it changes your direction; wisdom turns what it notices into shelter.
THE MEANING
When you recognize danger, wisdom makes room to step out of its path. Moving ahead without seeing or responding exposes you to the harm that follows.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It undoes the belief that noticing danger is enough: here, perception bears fruit when it changes the path.
THE ROOT
נִסְתָּר
nistar
GROWS FROM
סתר
s-t-r
To hide or conceal.
The word translated “hideth himself” belongs to the same root as the Hebrew word for a hiding place. The verse presents concealment as a way of meeting danger: what is seen can lead into shelter.
ALSO GROWS
sēter: A hiding place, secret place, or shelter.
סֵתֶר
This is the word for the “secret place” in Psalm 91:1, linking the prudent person’s hiding with a place of shelter.
histir: To hide or conceal.
הִסְתִּיר
This verb shares the root of “hideth himself,” showing the action of making oneself unseen or protected.
עָרוּם
ʿārūm
GROWS FROM
ערם
ʿ-r-m
To act shrewdly or craftily.
“prudent” in this verse is ʿārūm. This word carries the sense of sharp, alert judgment; in another context the same form is translated “subtil” of the serpent in Genesis 3:1. Here its direction is clear: this shrewdness sees danger and withdraws.
ALSO GROWS
ʿormāh: Shrewdness or craftiness.
עָרְמָה
This related form shows the root’s sense of tactical cleverness, which the verse frames as foresight that protects.
ʿārūm: Prudent or shrewd; also translated “subtil” in Genesis 3:1.
עָרוּם
The same word can describe alertness in different directions; here it recognizes danger and takes cover.
THE PATTERN
Wisdom recognizes danger and changes course before harm arrives.
A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.THE THREAD
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.“Secret place” translates סֵתֶר (sēter), from the same root סתר (s-t-r) as “hideth himself” here. The shared root opens hiding as shelter: the prudent person’s withdrawal echoes dwelling in a place of protection.
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