Proverbs 23:17
Proverbs 23:17 in Multiple Translations
Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always continue in the fear of the LORD.
Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.
Let not thy heart envy sinners; But be thou in the fear of Jehovah all the day long:
Have no envy of sinners in your heart, but keep in the fear of the Lord all through the day;
Don't think enviously of sinners, but always remember to honor the Lord,
Let not thine heart bee enuious against sinners: but let it bee in the feare of the Lord continually.
Let not thy heart be envious at sinners, But — in the fear of Jehovah all the day.
Don’t let your heart envy sinners, but rather fear the LORD all day long.
Let not thy heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.
Let not thy heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long:
Do not envy sinful people; instead, revere Yahweh all of your life.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 23:17
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Proverbs 23:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אַל
יְקַנֵּ֣א
לִ֭בְּ/ךָ
בַּֽ/חַטָּאִ֑ים
כִּ֥י
אִם
בְּ/יִרְאַת
יְ֝הוָ֗ה
כָּל
הַ/יּֽוֹם
אַל
ʼal
H408
not
Part
יְקַנֵּ֣א
qânâʼ
H7065
be jealous
V-Piel-Juss-3ms
לִ֭בְּ/ךָ
lêb
H3820
heart
N-ms | Suff
בַּֽ/חַטָּאִ֑ים
chaṭṭâʼ
H2400
sinner
Prep | Adj
כִּ֥י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
אִם
ʼim
H518
if
Conj
בְּ/יִרְאַת
yirʼâh
H3374
fear
Prep | N-fs
יְ֝הוָ֗ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
הַ/יּֽוֹם
yôwm
H3117
day
Art | N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 23:17
אַל
ʼal
H408
"not"
Part
Means not or nothing, used to express negation, as in the phrase do not or let not be.
Definition: 1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference) 1a) do not, let not (with a verb) 1b) let there not be (with a verb understood) 1c) not, no (with substantive) 1d) nothing (as substantive) Aramaic equivalent: al (אַל "not" H0409)
Usage: Occurs in 572 OT verses. KJV: nay, neither, [phrase] never, no, nor, not, nothing (worth), rather than. See also: Genesis 13:8; Joshua 11:6; 1 Chronicles 22:13.
יְקַנֵּ֣א
qânâʼ
H7065
"be jealous"
V-Piel-Juss-3ms
To be jealous means to feel envious or resentful of someone or something, often because of a perceived threat or rivalry. In the Bible, jealousy is sometimes portrayed as a negative emotion, as in the story of Cain and Abel in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) to envy, be jealous, be envious, be zealous 1a) (Piel) 1a1) to be jealous of 1a2) to be envious of 1a3) to be zealous for 1a4) to excite to jealous anger 1b) (Hiphil) to provoke to jealous anger, cause jealousy
Usage: Occurs in 28 OT verses. KJV: (be) envy(-ious), be (move to, provoke to) jealous(-y), [idiom] very, (be) zeal(-ous). See also: Genesis 26:14; Psalms 37:1; Psalms 73:3.
לִ֭בְּ/ךָ
lêb
H3820
"heart"
N-ms | Suff
Leb refers to the heart, but also represents feelings, will, and intellect in the Bible. It is used figuratively to describe the center of something, and is often translated as heart or mind. Leb is a complex concept that encompasses emotions and thoughts.
Definition: 1) inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding 1a) inner part, midst 1a1) midst (of things) 1a2) heart (of man) 1a3) soul, heart (of man) 1a4) mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory 1a5) inclination, resolution, determination (of will) 1a6) conscience 1a7) heart (of moral character) 1a8) as seat of appetites 1a9) as seat of emotions and passions 1a10) as seat of courage
Usage: Occurs in 552 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] care for, comfortably, consent, [idiom] considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-), (hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart(-ed), [idiom] heed, [idiom] I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), [idiom] regard(-ed), [idiom] themselves, [idiom] unawares, understanding, [idiom] well, willingly, wisdom. See also: Genesis 6:5; 2 Samuel 13:33; Psalms 4:8.
בַּֽ/חַטָּאִ֑ים
chaṭṭâʼ
H2400
"sinner"
Prep | Adj
This word describes someone who has committed a crime or sin, making them guilty. It is used to describe those who have broken God's laws. The KJV translates it as 'offender' or 'sinner'.
Definition: 1) sinners adj 2) sinful 3) exposed to condemnation, reckoned as offenders
Usage: Occurs in 19 OT verses. KJV: offender, sinful, sinner. See also: Genesis 13:13; Psalms 51:15; Psalms 1:1.
כִּ֥י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
אִם
ʼim
H518
"if"
Conj
This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.
Definition: : if/whether_or/though 1) if 1a) conditional clauses 1a1) of possible situations 1a2) of impossible situations 1b) oath contexts 1b1) no, not 1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or 1d) when, whenever 1e) since 1f) interrogative particle 1g) but rather
Usage: Occurs in 931 OT verses. KJV: (and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), [phrase] but, either, [phrase] except, [phrase] more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, [phrase] save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, [phrase] surely (no more, none, not), though, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] unless, [phrase] verily, when, whereas, whether, while, [phrase] yet. See also: Genesis 4:7; Exodus 22:3; Leviticus 27:27.
בְּ/יִרְאַת
yirʼâh
H3374
"fear"
Prep | N-fs
This Hebrew word for fear can also mean reverence or respect, especially when it comes to God. It's used to describe a feeling of awe or terror, and is often translated as 'fear' or 'dreadful' in the KJV.
Definition: 1) fear, terror, fearing 1a) fear, terror 1b) awesome or terrifying thing (object causing fear) 1c) fear (of God), respect, reverence, piety 1d) revered
Usage: Occurs in 42 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] dreadful, [idiom] exceedingly, fear(-fulness). See also: Genesis 20:11; Proverbs 1:29; Psalms 2:11.
יְ֝הוָ֗ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
כָּל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
הַ/יּֽוֹם
yôwm
H3117
"day"
Art | N-ms
The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow
Usage: Occurs in 1930 OT verses. KJV: age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 33:13; Exodus 23:15.
Study Notes — Proverbs 23:17
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 23:17 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 23:17
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 23:17
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 23:17
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 23:17
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 23:17
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 23:17
- Sermons on Proverbs 23:17
Context — Saying 15
15My son, if your heart is wise, my own heart will indeed rejoice.
16My inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.
17Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always continue in the fear of the LORD.
18For surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off. 19Listen, my son, and be wise, and guide your heart on the right course.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 28:14 | Blessed is the man who is always reverent, but he who hardens his heart falls into trouble. |
| 2 | 2 Corinthians 7:1 | Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. |
| 3 | 1 Peter 1:17 | Since you call on a Father who judges each one’s work impartially, conduct yourselves in reverent fear during your stay as foreigners. |
| 4 | Proverbs 15:16 | Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure with turmoil. |
| 5 | Ecclesiastes 5:7 | For as many dreams bring futility, so do many words. Therefore, fear God. |
| 6 | Acts 9:31 | Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria experienced a time of peace. It grew in strength and numbers, living in the fear of the Lord and the encouragement of the Holy Spirit. |
| 7 | Psalms 111:10–1 | — |
| 8 | Psalms 37:1–3 | Do not fret over those who do evil; do not envy those who do wrong. For they wither quickly like grass and wilt like tender plants. Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. |
| 9 | Proverbs 3:31 | Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways; |
| 10 | Psalms 73:3–7 | For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They have no struggle in their death; their bodies are well-fed. They are free of the burdens others carry; they are not afflicted like other men. Therefore pride is their necklace; a garment of violence covers them. From their prosperity proceeds iniquity; the imaginations of their hearts run wild. |
Proverbs 23:17 Summary
[This verse is telling us not to wish we could be like people who don't follow God's rules, because their way of life might seem fun or easy, but it's actually not good for us. Instead, we should always try to obey God and respect Him, as it says in Proverbs 23:17. By doing so, we can have a happy and fulfilling life, as promised in Psalms 1:1-3, and we can trust that God will take care of us, as stated in Matthew 6:25-34.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to envy sinners?
To envy sinners means to desire the things they have or the freedom they seem to enjoy, even if it's at the expense of disobeying God, as seen in Proverbs 23:17, and warned against in Psalms 37:1-2, which tells us not to fret because of evildoers.
Why should we continue in the fear of the LORD?
We should continue in the fear of the LORD because it leads to life, as stated in Proverbs 19:23, and it is the beginning of knowledge, as seen in Proverbs 1:7, and it guides us away from sin.
How can I avoid envying sinners in my daily life?
To avoid envying sinners, focus on your own relationship with God and the blessings He has given you, as encouraged in Deuteronomy 28:1-14, and remember that the pleasures of sin are temporary, but the rewards of following God are eternal, as stated in Matthew 6:19-21.
Is it wrong to want to be like someone else?
It's not wrong to want to be like someone else if it's a godly desire, such as wanting to be like Jesus, as encouraged in Ephesians 5:1-2, but it's wrong when it involves desiring sinful behaviors or attitudes, as warned against in Proverbs 23:17.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I find myself envying sinners, and how can I redirect my focus to the fear of the LORD?
- How can I cultivate a deeper fear of the LORD in my daily life, and what practical steps can I take to prioritize it?
- What are some ways I can remind myself of the benefits of following God, and how can I share those benefits with others?
- In what ways can I model a life of integrity and faithfulness to God, even when it's difficult, and how can I encourage others to do the same?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 23:17
Let not thine heart envy sinners,.... Their present prosperity and happiness, the pleasure, profit, and honour, they seem to enjoy; all which is but a shadow, fading had temporary; and yet good men
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 23:17
Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long. Let not thine heart envy sinners - in prosperity, so as to be tempted to imitate their example .
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 23:17
Let not thine heart envy sinners; let not the consideration of their present impunity and prosperity stir thee up, either to envy them, or to approve and imitate their evil courses. Be thou in the fear of the Lord; reverence the presence of the Divine Majesty, and dread his power and justice, and those judgments which he hath prepared for sinners, and thou wilt see no cause to envy, but rather to pity them. All the day long; not only when thou art in trouble, but in all times and conditions.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 23:17
Proverbs 23:17 Let not thine heart envy sinners: but [be thou] in the fear of the LORD all the day long.Ver. 17. Let not thine heart envy sinners.] Who, have they never so much here, they have but a pension, an annuity; a state of life granted them in the utmost and most remote part of our inheritance. But be thou in the fear of the Lord all day long.] An excellent means to cure one of the fret. Probatum est. Only it must be used constantly. Men must wake with God, walk with him, and lie down with him, be in continual communion with him and conformity unto him. This is to be in heaven beforehand.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 23:17
17. Let not thine heart envy] Comp. Psalms 37:1. be thou] Or, let it (thy heart) be. Some scholars repeat envy from the former clause: but let it envy with a nobler emulation (the Heb. word is frequently used in a good sense) the fear of the Lord.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 23:17
17. Let not thine heart envy sinners — Neither their freedom from restraint, enjoyment in sinful pleasures, nor their seeming prosperity. Comp. Psalms 37:1; Psalms 73:3; Psalms 24:1.
Sermons on Proverbs 23:17
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Battling the Unbelief of Envy by John Piper | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the topic of envy and how it can hinder our joy and concern for others. He shares a story from the Bible about the lad with the five loaves an |
|
Fatherly Exhortation Part 1 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, Pastor Chuck Smith gives fatherly exhortations and advice to his son. He emphasizes the importance of not getting caught up in the crowd of drinkers and gluttons, a |
|
The Holy Spirit Reveals Jesus by Zac Poonen | This sermon emphasizes the importance of listening to God's word and following Jesus' example of overcoming temptation by running away from sin. It highlights the need to be cautio |
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Cure for Envy by C.H. Spurgeon | C.H. Spurgeon addresses the issue of envy, particularly when witnessing the prosperity of sinners, urging believers to focus on the fear of the Lord instead. He emphasizes that tru |
|
The Spiritual Watch by Thomas Watson | Thomas Watson preaches about the importance of keeping our hearts diligently, as they are the source of life and the seat of our thoughts, desires, and actions. He emphasizes the d |
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Honour the Bishop by Ignatius of Antioch | Ignatius of Antioch emphasizes the importance of repentance towards God and the need to honor both God and earthly authorities, highlighting the significance of respecting bishops |
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Envy by Thomas Brooks | Thomas Brooks warns against the destructive nature of envy, describing it as a torment that gnaws at the soul and likening it to poison, a serpent, and a scourge. He emphasizes tha |