BibleWord.ai› Bible› Proverbs› Chapter 16› Verse 18

Proverbs 16:18

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Proverbs 16:18 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Pride [goeth] before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Pride [goeth] before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.
Proverbs 16:18 — American Standard Version

Context — Proverbs 16

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
15In the light of the king`s countenance is life; And his favor is as a cloud of the latter rain.
16How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! Yea, to get understanding is rather to be chosen than silver.
17The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: He that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.
18Pride [goeth] before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.
19Better it is to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, Than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20He that giveth heed unto the word shall find good; And whoso trusteth in Jehovah, happy is he.
21The wise in heart shall be called prudent; And the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
← Proverbs 16:17Proverbs 16:19 →
← Full Chapter 16 Proverbs Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“(Compare Pro 15:33). Haughtiness and pride imply self-confidence which produces carelessness, and hence a fall--literally, "sliding."”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“16:18 The pride of those who resist God and stubbornly rely on their own strength (16:5) is self-destructive and foolish because, apart from God’s help, no one has the resources required for life.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Pro 11:2, Pro 17:19, Pro 18:12, Pro 29:23; Est 3:5, Est 6:6, Est 7:10; Isa 2:11, Isa 2:12; Isa 37:10-13, Isa 37:38; Dan 4:30-37, Dan 5:22, Dan 5:24; Oba 1:3, Oba 1:4; Mat 26:33-35, Mat 26:74; Rom 11:20; Ti1 3:6 Proverbs 16:19”
Read attributed excerpt →
Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“18 Pride goeth before destruction, And haughtiness cometh before a fall. The contrast is לפני כבוד ענוה, Pro 15:33, according to which the "haughtiness comes before a fall" in Pro 18:22 is expanded into the antithetic distich. שׁבר means the fracture of the limbs, destruction of the person. A Latin proverb says, "Magna cadunt, inflata crepant, tumefacta premuntur." (Note: An expression of similar meaning is אחרי דרגא תביר = after Darga (to rise up) comes tebı̂r (breaking = destruction); cf. Zunz, in Geiger's Zeitschrift, vi. 315ff.) Here being dashed in pieces and overthrown correspond. שׁבר means neither bursting (Hitzig) nor shipwreck (Ewald). כשּׁלון (like בּטּחון, זכּרון, etc.), from…”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Proverbs 16 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification