Proverbs 28:14

Proverbs 28:14 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.
• New International Version (NIV)Blessed is the one who always trembles before God, but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Happy is the man who is always reverent, But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

Context of Proverbs 28:14

12When the righteous triumph, there is great glory and celebration; But when the wicked rise [to prominence], men hide themselves. 13He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But whoever confesses and turns away from his sins will find compassion and mercy. Blessed and favored by God is the man who fears [sin and its consequence] at all times, But he who hardens his heart [and is determined to sin] will fall into disaster. 15Like a roaring lion and a charging bear Is a wicked ruler over a poor people. 16A leader who is a great oppressor lacks understanding and common sense [and his wickedness shortens his days], But he who hates unjust gain will [be blessed and] prolong his days.

Proverbs 28:14 word by word

אַשְׁרֵ֣י אָ֭דָם מְפַחֵ֣ד תָּמִ֑יד וּמַקְשֶׁ֥ה לִ֝בּ֗וֹ יִפּ֥וֹל בְּרָעָֽה׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Happyאֶ֫שֶׁר'esher · blessedH835
• the manאָדָם'âdâm · manH120
• that fearethפָּחַדpâchad · to dreadH6342
• alwayתָּמִידtâmîyd · continuallyH8548
• but he that hardenethקָשָׁהqâshâh · to hardenH7185
• his heartלֵבlêb · heartH3820
• shall fallנָפַלnâphal · to fall: fallH5307
• into mischiefרָעָהra‛ râ‛âh · distress: harmH7451

Cross-references for Proverbs 28:14

• Proverbs 23:17Do not let your heart envy sinners [who live godless lives and have no hope of salvation], But [continue to] live in the [reverent, worshipful] fear of the Lord day by day.
• Psalms 2:11Worship the Lord and serve Him with reverence [with awe-inspired fear and submissive wonder]; Rejoice [yet do so] with trembling.
• Psalms 16:8I have set the Lord continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
• Psalms 112:1Praise the Lord! (Hallelujah!) Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who fears the Lord [with awe-inspired reverence and worships Him with obedience], Who delights greatly in His commandments.
• Isaiah 66:2For all these things My hand has made, So all these things came into being [by and for Me],” declares the Lord. “But to this one I will look [graciously], To him who is humble and contrite in spirit, and who [reverently] trembles at My word and honors My commands.
• Jeremiah 32:40I will make an everlasting covenant with them that I will do them good and not turn away from them; and I will put in their heart a fear and reverential awe of Me, so that they will not turn away from Me.
• Romans 11:20That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand by your faith [as believers understanding the truth of Christ’s deity]. Do not be conceited, but [rather stand in great awe of God and] fear [Him];
• Hebrews 4:1Therefore, while the promise of entering His rest still remains and is freely offered today, let us fear, in case any one of you may seem to come short of reaching it or think he has come too late.
• 1 Peter 1:17If you address as Father, the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in [reverent] fear [of Him] and with profound respect for Him throughout the time of your stay on earth.
• Proverbs 29:1He who hardens his neck and refuses instruction after being often reproved (corrected, criticized), Will suddenly be broken beyond repair.
• Exodus 7:22But the magicians of Egypt did the same by their secret arts and enchantments; so Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he did not listen to Moses and Aaron, just as the Lord had said.
• Exodus 14:23Then the Egyptians pursued them into the middle of the sea, even all Pharaoh’s horses, his war-chariots and his charioteers.
• Job 9:4God is wise in heart and mighty in strength; Who has [ever] defied or challenged Him and remained unharmed?
• Romans 2:4Or do you have no regard for the wealth of His kindness and tolerance and patience [in withholding His wrath]? Are you [actually] unaware or ignorant [of the fact] that God’s kindness leads you to repentance [that is, to change your inner self, your old way of thinking—seek His purpose for your life]?

Commentaries on Proverbs 28:14

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 14Happy is the man that feareth alway - That ever carries about with him that reverential and filial fear of God, which will lead him to avoid sin, and labor to do that which is lawful and right in the sight of God his Savior.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 14The “fear” here is not so much reverential awe, as anxious, or “nervous” sensitiveness of conscience. To most men this temperament seems that of the self-tormentor. To him who looks deeper it is a condition of blessedness, and the callousness which is opposed to it ends in misery.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 14Verse 14 There is a fear which causes happiness. Faith and love will deliver from the fear of eternal misery; but we should always fear offending God, and fear sinning against him.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1414. feareth--that is, God, and so repents. hardeneth his heart--makes himself insensible to sin, and so will not repent (Pr 14:16; 29:1).Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 28:14

• Fear of God
• Happiness
• Heart
• Impenitence
• Wicked (People)

In the dictionaries

• Accept
• Cover
• Heart
• Mercy
• Prosper
• Rise
• Hezekiah (2)
• Proverbs, the Book of

Commentaries on Proverbs 28

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings