Proverbs 12:6

The words of the wicked lie in wait ¹  to shed innocent blood, ²  but the words ³  of the upright will deliver them.

2Sa 17:1-4; Es 4:7-14; Es 7:4-6; Pr 1:11-19; Pr 14:3; Isa 59:7; Jer 5:26; Mic 7:1,2; Ac 23:12,15; Ac 25:3

¹ tn The infinitive construct אֱרָב (’erav, “to lie in wait”) expresses the purpose of their conversations. The idea of “lying in wait for blood” is an implied comparison (hypocatastasis): Their words are like an ambush intended to destroy (cf. NAB, NRSV “are a deadly ambush”). The words of the wicked are here personified.

² tn Heb “for blood.” The term “blood” is a metonymy of effect, the cause being the person that they will attack and whose blood they will shed. After the construct “blood” is also an objective genitive.

³ tn Heb “mouth.” The term פֶּה (peh, “mouth”) is a metonymy of cause, signifying what the righteous say. The righteous can make a skillful defense against false accusations that are intended to destroy. The righteous, who have gained wisdom, can escape the traps set by the words of the wicked.