Proverbs 15:11 Meaning and Explanation
“Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →If God knows the depths of the unseen realm, how much more does He know human hearts.
The Context of Proverbs 15:11
God's omniscience extends from the hidden depths to the innermost human heart.
What Does Proverbs 15:11 Mean?
Hell and destruction (the invisible realms of death and the dead) lie open before the Lord. If God's sight penetrates even those hidden places, then surely human hearts—visible, corporeal, in the world of the living—are transparent to Him. This is an argument from the greater to the lesser.
The implication is that nothing about human nature is hidden from God. We cannot conceal our intentions, desires, or moral state. This serves as both comfort (to the righteous) and warning (to the wicked).
Proverbs 15:11 in the Original Language
Sheol (שְׁאוֹל), 'Hell/the grave'—the underworld realm where the dead reside, emphasizing the totality of divine sight.
Frequently Asked Questions About Proverbs 15:11
What does Proverbs 15:11 mean?
If God knows the depths of the unseen realm, how much more does He know human hearts.
What is the context of Proverbs 15:11?
God's omniscience extends from the hidden depths to the innermost human heart.