Proverbs 15:11 (GNV)

Passage

Hell and destruction are before the Lord: how much more the hearts of the sonnes of men?

Nearby Context

Proverbs 15:9 The way of the wicked is an abomination vnto the Lord: but he loueth him that followeth righteousnes.

Proverbs 15:10 Instruction is euill to him that forsaketh the way, and he that hateth correction, shall die.

Proverbs 15:11 Hell and destruction are before the Lord: how much more the hearts of the sonnes of men?

Proverbs 15:12 A scorner loueth not him that rebuketh him, neither will he goe vnto the wise.

Proverbs 15:13 A ioyfull heart maketh a chearefull countenance: but by the sorow of the heart the minde is heauie.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "hell", "destruction", "before", "lord", "much", "hearts", and "sonnes". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "hell" and "destruction", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 10's "Instruction is euill to him that forsaketh..." into verse 12's "A scorner loueth not him that rebuketh...", so "hell" and "destruction" belong inside that flow. In Proverbs context, the local focus is covenant, worship, and faithfulness.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "hell" and "destruction" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.