King James Version

What Does Proverbs 17:20 Mean?

Proverbs 17:20 in the King James Version says “He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief. He that hath a f...” — study this verse from Proverbs chapter 17 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief. He that hath a froward: Heb. The froward of heart”

Proverbs 17:20 · KJV

Context

18

A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend. understanding: Heb. heart

19

He loveth transgression that loveth strife: and he that exalteth his gate seeketh destruction.

20

He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief. He that hath a froward: Heb. The froward of heart

21

He that begetteth a fool doeth it to his sorrow: and the father of a fool hath no joy.

22

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. like: or, to

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief. Iqqesh-lev lo yimtsa-tov (עִקֶּשׁ־לֵב לֹא יִמְצָא־טוֹב, crooked of heart finds no good). Twisted hearts prevent finding blessing. Venehpakh bilshono yippol bera'ah (וְנֶהְפָּךְ בִּלְשׁוֹנוֹ יִפּוֹל בְּרָעָה, and perverted in tongue falls into evil). Perverse speech brings calamity. The proverb teaches that internal crookedness (heart) and external crookedness (tongue) both produce bad outcomes. Jeremiah 17:9 declares the heart is deceitfully wicked. Only God can create clean hearts (Psalm 51:10), transforming speech (Ephesians 4:29).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient wisdom recognized heart-speech connection. Crooked hearts produced crooked words, bringing trouble. Biblical examples: Gehazi's deceitful heart and lying tongue brought leprosy (2 Kings 5:20-27), Ananias and Sapphira's fraud brought death (Acts 5:1-11). Conversely, upright hearts and honest tongues found good—Daniel's integrity brought deliverance and promotion (Daniel 6). Gospel transforms both heart and speech (2 Corinthians 5:17, Luke 6:45).

Reflection Questions

  1. Does your heart's crookedness prevent you from finding good?
  2. How has perverse speech fallen you into evil or trouble?
  3. What does it mean to have God create a clean heart (Psalm 51:10) that produces wholesome speech?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 9 words
עִקֶּשׁ1 of 9

“He that hath a froward”

H6141

distorted; hence, false

לֵ֭ב2 of 9

“heart”

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

לֹ֣א3 of 9
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יִמְצָא4 of 9

“findeth”

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

ט֑וֹב5 of 9

“no good”

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

וְנֶהְפָּ֥ךְ6 of 9

“and he that hath a perverse”

H2015

to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert

בִּ֝לְשׁוֹנ֗וֹ7 of 9

“tongue”

H3956

the tongue (of man or animals), used literally (as the instrument of licking, eating, or speech), and figuratively (speech, an ingot, a fork of flame,

יִפּ֥וֹל8 of 9

“falleth”

H5307

to fall, in a great variety of applications (intransitive or causative, literal or figurative)

בְּרָעָֽה׃9 of 9

“into mischief”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Proverbs. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Proverbs 17:20 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Proverbs 17:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

James 3:6-8Proverbs 10:31Proverbs 10:10Ecclesiastes 10:12Proverbs 10:14Proverbs 18:6-7

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