What Does Psalm 25:12 Mean in the King James?
What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.
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
Awe makes the path teachable: the LORD’s instruction meets the reader in the way they must choose.
THE MEANING
Awe of the LORD places the reader in reach of instruction; the LORD teaches the way forward. The path is a lived choice, made clearer through that teaching.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It undoes the belief that choosing a way forward means choosing alone: the reader’s decisions remain within the LORD’s instruction.
THE ROOT
יוֹרֶנּוּ
yōrênnû
GROWS FROM
ירה
y-r-h
To throw or point; in this form, to direct or instruct.
“teach” in this verse is yōrênnû. The verb for teaching carries the sense of pointing out a direction. Torah grows from the same root, joining instruction with the way a person is taught to walk.
ALSO GROWS
tôrāh: Instruction, teaching
תּוֹרָה
Torah shares the root of the LORD’s teaching here: instruction points the reader toward a way.
môreh: Teacher, instructor
מוֹרֶה
The teacher’s name comes from the same root of directing and showing the way.
יְרֵא
yərēʾ
GROWS FROM
ירא
y-r-ʾ
To fear, revere, or stand in awe.
“feareth” in this verse is yərēʾ. When this root is directed toward the LORD, awe is its fitting sense. The verse joins that posture to being taught: the one who stands in awe is the one the LORD instructs.
ALSO GROWS
yirʾāh: Awe, reverence, fear
יִרְאָה
This noun carries the same range of awe and reverence as the posture named in the verse.
nôrāʾ: Awe-inspiring, fearsome
נוֹרָא
This adjective comes from the same root and describes what evokes awe.
יִבְחָר
yiḇḥār
GROWS FROM
בחר
b-ḥ-r
To choose or select.
“choose” in this verse is yiḇḥār. The way is tied to choosing, not mere drift. The Hebrew verb leaves its chooser unstated, keeping the reader’s choice close to the LORD’s instruction.
ALSO GROWS
bāḥîr: Chosen one, elect
בָּחִיר
This branch names someone selected, showing the root’s focus on choosing.
mibḥār: Choice, choicest selection
מִבְחָר
This noun carries the root into the result of selecting.
THE PATTERN
The LORD makes the way knowable by giving direction within the reader’s walk.
I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.THE THREAD
I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.Psalm 32:8 uses the same Hebrew root for “instruct” and the same word for “way.” Together, the verses show instruction as guidance within the reader’s path.
Read the SDV Bible.
Every verse has a Deep Dive in the app.
The iPhone Bible app with the Selah Decoded Version.
Does something in this reading look wrong? Tell us