Proverbs 11:3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.

Seven examples of perverseness: Israel (Deut. 1:43-44); Balaam (Num. 22:32; 31:8); Hophni and Phinehas (1Sam. 2:25; 4:11); Saul (1Sam. 15:23); Absalom (2Sam. 15:3-6); Ahithophel (2Sam. 17:1-23); Ahab (1Kin. 21:25-26; 22:34-37).

‘Transgressors’ [Hebrew: bagad] traitors; faithless to the covenant. Translated as “transgress” (1Sam. 14:33; Ps. 25:3; Hab. 2:5); “transgressor” (Pro. 2:22; 11:3, 6; 13:2, 15; 21:8; 22:12; 23:28; Ps. 59:5; 119:158); “treacherous” (Isa. 21:2; 24:16; Jer. 3:8, 11; 9:2); “treacherously” (Jdg. 9:23; Isa. 21:2; 24:16; 33:1; 48:8; Jer. 3:20; 5:11; 12:1, 6; Lam. 1:2; Hos. 5:7; 6:7; Hab. 1:13; Mal. 2:10-16); “deceitfully” (Ex. 21:8; Job 6:15); and “unfaithful” (Ps. 78:57; Pro. 25:19). A transgressor is a deceiving, unfaithful, disloyal hypocrite, and Proverbs warns that, “the integrity of the upright shall guide them, but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them” (11:3) and that the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it (2:22).

Proverbs 11:3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them. 

‘Integrity of the upright shall guide them.’ Integrity is the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles. In all public trust, we must walk uprightly and pay strict attention to truth, justice, and mercy; never planning evil things, or using public trust to enrich oneself, or give bribes as the wicked do (Ps. 26:10-11). A righteous man will be rewarded by having his children blessed by his integrity after his death (20:7).

Three examples of guiding integrity: Joseph (Gen. 39:4, 22-23; 50:25); Jesus Christ (Luke 2:40, 52; 1Pet. 2:21) and Paul (Gal. 2:20).

‘Perverseness’ is defined as the act of perverting or the state of being perverted; a turning from truth or right; a diverting from the true intent or object; a change to something worse; a turning or applying to a wrong end or use.” It is the noun of the word “pervert” which has the following equivalent meanings in Scripture: [Hebrew: haphak] translated as to turn or overturn (Jer. 23:36); [Hebrew: natah] translated as to cause to incline by implication to bend away (including moral deflection); (Deut. 24:17; 27:19; 1Sam. 8:3; Pro. 17:23); [Hebrew: salaph] translated as to overthrow, pervert (Ex. 23:8; Deut. 16:19; Pro. 19:3); [Hebrew: avah] translated as to do perversely, pervert (Job 33:27; Jer. 3:21); [Hebrew: avath] translated as to use perversely (Job 8:3; 34:12); [Hebrew: aqash] translated as to pervert (Pro. 10:9; Mic. 3:9); [Hebrew: shub] translated as to turn or bring back (Isa. 47:10); [Hebrew: shanah] translated as to change, transfer (Pro. 31:5); [Greek: apostrepho] translated as to turn away or off (Luke 23:14); [Greek: diastrepho], translated as to turn diversely, perversely (Luke 23:2); [Greek: metastrepho], translated as to turn away (Gal. 1:7).

To be continued…