💡WEB · Proverbs 16:6
What does Proverbs 16:6 mean?
"By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for. By the fear of Yahweh men depart from evil."
— Proverbs 16:6 (World English Bible)
Surrounding context
Commit your deeds to Yahweh, and your plans shall succeed.
Yahweh has made everything for its own end— yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.
Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to Yahweh: they shall certainly not be unpunished.
By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for. By the fear of Yahweh men depart from evil.
When a man’s ways please Yahweh, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues with injustice.
A man’s heart plans his course, but Yahweh directs his steps.
Explanation
Proverbs 16:6 states that iniquity, or sin, is atoned for through mercy and truth, and that reverence for the Lord leads people away from evil. In plain language, the verse teaches two connected ideas: first, that wrongdoing is dealt with — covered, forgiven, or made right — through a combination of steadfast love and faithfulness; and second, that a genuine, reverent fear of God is what actually keeps a person from choosing evil in the first place. The verse pairs the removal of guilt with the prevention of future sin, showing that both are rooted in one's relationship with God and with others.
This proverb comes from the book of Proverbs, traditionally attributed largely to Solomon, though the book as a whole is a collection of wisdom sayings gathered and compiled over time for instructing the young and guiding the wise in Israel. Proverbs was written to teach practical, godly living — how to navigate relationships, work, speech, and moral choices in light of covenant faithfulness to Yahweh. The words translated "mercy" and "truth" (Hebrew: chesed and emet) are covenant terms frequently paired together in the Old Testament to describe God's own character — his loyal love and faithfulness toward his people. When a person embodies these same qualities toward others, they walk in harmony with God's character, and the text says this "atones for" iniquity, meaning it addresses, covers, or repairs the damage sin has caused, particularly in relational and communal terms.
Theologically, this verse should not be read as teaching that human mercy and truth repl
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