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Proverbs 12 · a question people ask

The chapter ends, "in its path there is no death" (12:28). Does that mean the righteous won't die?

In the text

The verse says, "In the way of righteousness is life; in its path there is no death" (12:28), and it doesn't say more about what no death means. Proverbs speaks of righteousness and death in other sayings too. Twice it says, "righteousness delivers from death" (Proverbs 10:2, 11:4). Another says, "He who is truly righteous gets life. He who pursues evil gets death" (Proverbs 11:19). And one speaks of the righteous in death: "The wicked is brought down in his calamity, but in death, the righteous has a refuge" (Proverbs 14:32). The book holds all of these sayings, and 12:28 doesn't say how they fit together. These notes don't decide it either.

The verses

“In the way of righteousness is life; in its path there is no death.”
Proverbs 12:28 · World English Bible
“Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteousness delivers from death.”
Proverbs 10:2 · World English Bible
“Riches don’t profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death.”
Proverbs 11:4 · World English Bible
“He who is truly righteous gets life. He who pursues evil gets death.”
Proverbs 11:19 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Proverbs 12

Proverbs 12: The tongue of the wise heals

The prudent man of 12:16 and 12:23 is arum, the word Genesis 3:1 uses of the serpent, and both times he covers: an insult (12:16) and his knowledge (12:23). And 12:17 and 12:22 share their Hebrew words for truth and lying: "those who do the truth are his delight" (12:22).

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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions