Proverbs 11:12

The one who denounces ¹  his neighbor lacks wisdom, ²  but the one who has discernment ³  keeps silent. ⁴ 

Jud 9:27-29,38; 1Sa 10:27; 2Ki 18:36; Ne 4:2-4; Ps 123:3,4; Pr 10:19; Lu 16:14; Lu 18:9; Joh 7:48-52; 1Pe 2:23

¹ tn Heb “despises” (so NASB) or “belittles” (so NRSV). The participle בָּז (baz, from בּוּז, buz) means “to despise; to show contempt for” someone. It reflects an attitude of pride and judgmentalism. In view of the parallel line, in this situation it would reflect perhaps some public denunciation of another person.

sn According to Proverbs (and the Bible as a whole) how one treats a neighbor is an important part of righteousness. One was expected to be a good neighbor, and to protect and safeguard the life and reputation of a neighbor.

² tn Heb “heart.” The noun לֵב (lev, “heart”) functions as a metonymy of association for wisdom, since the heart is often associated with knowledge and wisdom (BDB 524 s.v. 3.a).

³ tn Heb “a man of discernment.”

⁴ sn The verb translated “keeps silence” (יַחֲרִישׁ, yakharish) means “holds his peace.” Rather than publicly denouncing another person’s mistake or folly, a wise person will keep quiet about it (e.g., 1 Sam 10:27). A discerning person realizes that the neighbor may become an opponent and someday retaliate.