Proverbs 15:11 (WEB)

Passage

Sheol and Abaddon are before Yahweh— how much more then the hearts of the children of men!

Nearby Context

Proverbs 15:9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to Yahweh, but he loves him who follows after righteousness.

Proverbs 15:10 There is stern discipline for one who forsakes the way: whoever hates reproof shall die.

Proverbs 15:11 Sheol and Abaddon are before Yahweh— how much more then the hearts of the children of men!

Proverbs 15:12 A scoffer doesn’t love to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.

Proverbs 15:13 A glad heart makes a cheerful face; but an aching heart breaks the spirit.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "sheol", "abaddon", "before", "yahweh", "much", "hearts", and "children". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "sheol" and "abaddon", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 10's "There is stern discipline for one who..." into verse 12's "A scoffer doesn t love to be...", so "sheol" and "abaddon" 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 "sheol" and "abaddon" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.