He that walketh in his uprightness feareth the LORD: but he that is perverse in his ways despiseth him.

PROVERBS 14:2KJV
Know the Bible

Proverbs 14:2 (KJV)

What does Proverbs 14:2 mean?

Proverbs 14:2 says that a person who lives honestly and does what is right shows respect for the LORD, but someone who acts in twisted or dishonest ways shows they have little regard for God. The verse draws a clear line between upright living and crooked behavior, connecting each to a person's attitude toward God.

This proverb comes from a collection of wise sayings traditionally attributed to Solomon, aimed at teaching practical wisdom to everyday people in ancient Israel. The verse uses strong contrasts to highlight how daily choices—whether upright or perverse—reflect a person's true relationship with the LORD, not just their outward actions.

The Hebrew behind Proverbs 14:2

  • "walketh" (הָלַךְ, halakh): This word means to go or to walk, but in Proverbs it often refers to the way a person lives or conducts themselves. The focus is not just on physical movement but on a consistent pattern of life.
  • "uprightness" (יֹשֶׁר, yosher): This word means straightness or integrity. It suggests living in a way that is honest, fair, and morally straight.
  • "feareth" (יָרֵא, yare): This word means to fear or deeply respect. In the context of Proverbs, fearing the LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH) is about reverence and awe, not just being afraid.
  • "perverse" (לוּז, luz): This word means to turn aside or be crooked. It describes someone who deliberately chooses a twisted or dishonest path, not just someone who makes a mistake.
  • "ways" (דֶּרֶךְ, derekh): This word means road or path, but here it refers to a person’s habits, choices, and overall direction in life.
  • "despiseth" (בָּזָה, bazah): This word means to despise or treat with contempt. The verse says that crooked living is not just a private failing but an expression of disregard for God.

Why Proverbs 14:2 matters

  • Proverbs 14:2 clarifies that a person's actions reveal their true attitude toward God, not just their words or religious practices.
  • The verse warns that choosing a dishonest or crooked path is not a neutral act; it is seen as showing contempt for the LORD.
  • This proverb fits into a larger pattern in Proverbs that connects wisdom, moral choices, and one’s relationship with God, highlighting that everyday decisions have spiritual significance.

Where else these words appear

“perverse” Hebrew H3868 · used in 6 verses

  • Proverbs 2:15 Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:
  • Proverbs 3:21 My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
  • Proverbs 4:21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.

“uprightness” Hebrew H3476 · used in 14 verses

  • Deuteronomy 9:5 Not for thy righteousness, or for the uprightness of thine heart, dost thou go to possess their land: but for the wickedness of these nations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee, and that he may perform the word which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
  • Job 33:3 My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly.
  • Proverbs 2:13 Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;

“despiseth” Hebrew H959 · used in 41 verses

  • Genesis 25:34 Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright.
  • Esther 3:6 And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.
  • Isaiah 53:3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

“feareth” Hebrew H3373 · used in 63 verses

  • Genesis 22:12 And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.
  • Psalms 15:4 In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the LORD. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.
  • Psalms 119:79 Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies.