Proverbs 21:12

The Righteous One ¹  considers ²  the house ³  of the wicked; he overthrows the wicked to their ruin. ⁴ 

Ge 19:29; Job 5:3; Job 8:15; Job 18:14-21; Job 21:28-30; Job 27:13-23; Ps 37:35,36; Ps 52:5; Ps 107:43; Pr 11:3-5; Pr 13:6; Pr 14:32; Ho 14:9; Am 4:11; Hab 2:9-12; 1Co 10:5; 2Pe 2:4-9; 2Pe 3:6,7

¹ tn In the book of Proverbs, the Hebrew term צַּדִּיק (ysadiq) normally refers to a human being, and that is a possible translation here (cf. KJV, ASV, NAB), although it would have to refer to a righteous person who was a judge or a ruler with the right to destroy the wicked. Many commentators and English versions simply interpret this as a reference to God (cf. NIV, NRSV, TEV, NLT).

² tn The form מַשְׂכִּיל (maskil) is now used with the meaning “to consider; to give attention to; to ponder.” It is the careful scrutiny that is given to the household of the wicked before judgment is poured out on them.

³ tn Heb “house.” This term probably means “household” here – the family. One way to read the line is that the righteous judge (human or divine) takes into consideration the wicked person’s family before judging the wicked person. The other – and more plausible – interpretation is that the judge considers the household of the wicked and then on the basis of what was observed judges them.

⁴ tn Heb “to evil” (i.e., catastrophe); cf. NLT “to disaster.”