Proverbs 24:15 — Word Study
WLCאַל־ תֶּאֱרֹ֣ב רָ֭שָׁע לִנְוֵ֣ה צַדִּ֑יק אַֽל־ תְּשַׁדֵּ֥ד רִבְצוֹ׃
BSADo notʼal [under no circumstances] lie in waitʼârab▸ [ambush, hide and wait to attack] O wicked [man]râshâʻ [morally wrong, guilty of sin] near the dwellingnâveh [habitation, home] of the righteoustsaddîyq [just, upright] do notʼal [refrain from] destroyshâdad▸ [ruin, devastate] his resting placerêbets [place of rest, peaceful abode]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| אַל־ | may not | Particle |
| תֶּאֱרֹ֣ב | you lie in wait | Verb, Qal, jussive second person masculine singular |
| רָ֭שָׁע | wicked [person] | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| לִנְוֵ֣ה | to [the] habitation of | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct |
| צַדִּ֑יק | a righteous [person] | Adj |
| אַֽל־ | may not | Particle |
| תְּשַׁדֵּ֥ד | you devastate | Verb, Piel, jussive second person masculine singular |
| רִבְצוֹ׃ | resting place his | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, near the dwelling of the righteous; do not destroy his resting place. |
| KJV | Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place: |
| ASV | Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous; Destroy not his resting-place: |
| YLT | Lay not wait, O wicked one, At the habitation of the righteous. Do not spoil his resting-place. |
| WEB | Don’t lay in wait, wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous. Don’t destroy his resting place; |
| BBE | Do not keep a secret watch, O evil-doer, against the fields of the upright man, or send destruction on his resting-place: |
Where they part company is צַדִּ֑יק — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence has two main commands, each followed by additional details that clarify the context and implications.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbאַל
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Proverbs 24:15
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Warnings Against Wickednessgenerated
Proverbs 24:15 provides a stark warning to those who would plot against the righteous. It emphasizes the moral imperative to refrain from malicious intentions and actions, particularly against those who live justly. This verse sits within a broader context of wisdom literature that contrasts the fate of the wicked with that of the righteous, as seen in the surrounding verses.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 1:11 | If they say, “Come along, let us lie in wait for blood, let us ambush the innocent without cause, |
| 2 | 1 Samuel 9:11 | And as they were climbing the hill to the city, they met some young women coming out to draw water and asked, “Is the seer here?” |
| 3 | 1 Samuel 22:18–19 | So the king ordered Doeg, “You turn and strike down the priests!” And Doeg the Edomite turned and struck down the priests himself. On that day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod. |
| 4 | 1 Samuel 23:20–23 | Now, O king, come down whenever your soul desires, and we will be responsible for delivering him into your hand.” |
| 5 | Psalm 10:8–10 | He lies in wait near the villages; in ambush he slays the innocent; his eyes watch in stealth for the helpless. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 16 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — רָשָׁע, 'al-generated
The term רָשָׁע (ra'sha') refers to a person who is wicked or morally wrong. It is a noun that describes individuals who engage in sinful behavior or act against God's commands. The word is often used in biblical narratives to characterize adversaries of the righteous.
In this verse, it serves as a direct address to the wicked man, underscoring the moral implications of his actions. The parsing as a masculine singular noun indicates a specific individual, which adds a personal tone to the warning.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against. The BSB uses wicked for רָשָׁע, which is consistent across the KJV and ASV.
Where they part company is in the rendering of צַדִּ֑יק — the BSB and WEB use righteous, while the BBE opts for upright and the DRA for just.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse consists of two main clauses connected by a semicolon, with each clause containing a command directed at the wicked man. The first clause warns against lying in wait, while the second prohibits the destruction of the righteous person's resting place.
The structure emphasizes the twofold nature of the warning: both the act of ambush and the act of destruction are condemned, highlighting the seriousness of the wicked man's intentions.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates רָשָׁע as ἀσεβῆ, which means 'ungodly' or 'wicked.' This choice broadens the understanding of the term, emphasizing not just moral wrongdoing but also a lack of reverence towards God.
The use of προσαγάγῃς for the command to 'lie in wait' suggests an interpretation that includes the idea of drawing near with ill intent, further underscoring the wickedness of the act.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 24:15 warns wicked people not to plot against the homes of the righteous. It tells them not to disturb the peace of those who do what is right. This verse emphasizes the importance of respecting the lives and homes of good people.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
To lie in wait means to ambush someone, hiding and waiting to attack, which is a morally wrong action.
The resting place symbolizes peace and security for the righteous, and destroying it represents a serious moral violation.
This verse teaches us to refrain from harmful intentions and actions towards others, especially those who live righteously.
It reinforces the theme of contrasting the righteous and the wicked, emphasizing the consequences of immoral behavior.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways can I ensure that I do not plot harm against others?
- How can I support those who are righteous in my community?
- What are some actions I can take to promote peace instead of conflict?
- How does understanding the nature of wickedness help me in my own moral choices?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Bede comments on this verse, warning against seeking opportunities to slander the just, emphasizing the moral responsibility to uphold righteousness.
Do not lie in wait, nor seek impiety in the house of the just, etc. Do not seek any occasion by which you might slander a just man.Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 24 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 24:15 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleLay not wait, O wicked [man], against the dwelling of the righteous,.... The church of God, which is the righteous man's dwelling place, and where he desires and delights to dwell; or his own
Read John Gill on Proverbs 24 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryLay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place: Lay not wait, O wicked (man), against the dwelling (Hebrew, the cottage; the humble dwelling) of the
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 24 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleLay not wait; do him no injury, either by subtle and secret devices, or, as it follows, by manifest violence. Against the dwelling of the righteous; against his person, or family, or possession.
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 24 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 24:15 Lay not wait, O wicked [man], against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place:Ver. 15. Lay not wait, O wicked man, &c.] Eνθαγαροι Yεοι, as that heathen said - God dwells with the righteous; molest him not therefore, beat not up his quarters. The Scythians, saith he in Plutarch, though they have no music or vines among them, yet they have gods. So, whatever the saints want, they want not God’ s gracious presence with them. And if wicked men had but so much knowledge of God as Pilate’ s wife had in a dream, they would take heed of having anything to do with these just men. Plut., Sυμπος. επτασοφων.
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 24 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 15. The dwelling of the righteous] צדיק tsaddik, the man who is walking unblameably in all the testimonies of God; who is rendering to every man his due.
Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 24 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges15. O wicked man], Or, as a wicked man. dwelling … resting place] or pasture … fold (R.V. marg.); making the picture pastoral.
Read Cambridge on Proverbs 24 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThe teaching of the proverb warns men not to attack or plot against the righteous.
Read Albert Barnes on Proverbs 24 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible15, 16. Falleth seven times — The falling, here, is not into sin, but into calamity of any kind.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Proverbs 24 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, near the dwelling of the righteous; do not destroy his resting place.
Don’t lay in wait, wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous. Don’t destroy his resting place;
Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, near the dwelling of the righteous; do not destroy his resting place.
Do not lie in wait like the wicked against the place where the righteous live; do not assault his home.
Tyndale line
Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place:
Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous; Destroy not his resting-place:
Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous; spoil not his resting place:
Lay not wait, O wicked man , against the dwelling of the righteous; destroy not his resting-place:
Laye no waite, O wicked man, against the house of the righteous, and spoyle not his resting place.
Strictly literal
Lay not wait, O wicked [man], against the dwelling of the righteous; lay not waste his resting-place.
Lay not wait, O wicked one, At the habitation of the righteous. Do not spoil his resting-place.
Do not lay wait, O wicked one, || At the habitation of the righteous. Do not spoil his resting place.
Lie not in wait, O wicked man! against the dwelling of the righteous; waste not his resting-place;
Do not lie in wait like the wicked person who attacks the house of the righteous person. Do not destroy his home!
From the Latin
Lie not in wait, nor seek after wickedness in the house of the just, nor spoil his rest.
Simplified
Don't be like a criminal waiting to ambush the home of good people; don't attack the place where they live.
Do not keep a secret watch, O evil-doer, against the fields of the upright man, or send destruction on his resting-place:
Word by word, the decisions they made
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree closely on the wording of this verse, with all eight words matched. This indicates a strong consistency in the transmission of this text across these two traditions.
אַל־ תֶּאֱרֹ֣ב רָ֭שָׁע לִנְוֵ֣ה צַדִּ֑יק אַֽל־ תְּשַׁדֵּ֥ד רִבְצוֹ׃
8 of the 8 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Proverbs 24:15
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
אַל (al) is a negative particle meaning 'not' or 'no,' often used to express a wish or prohibition rather than an objective fact. It can also function as a noun meaning 'nothing.' The lexicons highlight its use in various contexts, including deprecative forms, but do not show significant disagreement.
אַל adv. of negation, denying however, not objectively as a fact, but subjectively as a wish, expressing therefore a deprecation or prohibition
base
H408 אַל adv. of negation, denying however, not objectively as a fact, but subjectively as a wish, expressing therefore a deprecation or prohibition
408 'al al
a negative particle (akin to 3808); not (the qualified
negation, used as a deprecative); once (Job 24:25) as a noun,
nothing:--nay, neither, + never, no ,nor, not, nothing
(worth), rather than.
see HEBREW for 03808
אַל (al) — not.
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)
Part — ParticleHTn
אָרַב (arab) is a primitive root meaning to lie in wait or ambush. It covers actions like lurking or setting an ambush, with forms in Qal, Piel, and Hiphil that indicate different nuances of waiting or attacking. The entries consistently emphasize its hostile connotation.
אָרַב vb. lie in wait
Qal lie in wait (with hostile purpose)
Pi. Pt. pl. liers-in-wait
Hiph. Impf. but txt. dub.
base
H693 אָרַב lie in wait
693 'arab aw-rab'
a primitive root; to lurk:--(lie in) ambush(-ment), lay (lie
in) wait.
אָרַב (a.rav) — to ambush.
1) to lie in wait, ambush, lurk
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to lie in wait
1a2) ambush (participle as subst)
1b) (Piel) ambushers, liers-in-wait (pl. participle)
1c) (Hiphil) to lay an ambush
V-Qal-Juss-2ms — Verb · Qal · jussive second person masculine singularHVqj2ms
wat:
1. The Substantive:
The word is used in the Old Testament both as a substantive add as a verb. In the New Testament it appears as a verb only. 'erebh, ma'arabh, mean a concealed hiding-place for purposes of sudden attack, an ambuscade.
(1) "Lie in wait": "Abimelech rose up .... from lying in wait" (Jud 9:35 the King James Version); "When they .... abide in the covert to lie in wait" (Job 38:40).
רָשָׁע (rasha`) refers to someone who is wicked or criminal, encompassing meanings such as guilty and ungodly. It is derived from a root that implies moral wrongdoing. The term is used to describe individuals who are hostile to God or guilty of sin against others.
רָשָׁע 263 adj. wicked, criminal
base
H7563 רָשָׁע wicked, criminal
7563 rasha` raw-shaw'
from 7561; morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad
person:--+ condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did
wrong.
see HEBREW for 07561
רָשָׁע (ra.sah) — wicked.
1) wicked, criminal
1a) guilty one, one guilty of crime (subst)
1b) wicked (hostile to God)
1c) wicked, guilty of sin (against God or man)
Adj — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
נָוֶה (naveh) refers to a place of dwelling, often associated with shepherds and flocks, such as a pasture or meadow. It can denote a home or habitation, including divine spaces like temples. The term conveys a sense of comfort and beauty, suggesting a pleasant living environment. There is some overlap in the definitions provided, but all entries emphasize its pastoral and residential qualities.
נָוֶה n.m. abode of shepherd, or flocks, poet. habitation
abode, of sheep
abode of shepherds
= meadow
habitation, usu. of country, or of domains in the country (chiefly poet.)
base
[נָוֶה] adj. dwelling, abiding
base
H5116a נָוֶה abode of shepherd, or flocks, poet. habitation . . abode, of sheep
. abode of shepherds
. = meadow
. habitation, usu. of country, or of domains in the country (chiefly poet.)
H5116b נָוֶה dwelling, abiding
5116 naveh naw-veh'
or (feminine) navah {naw-vaw'}; from 5115; (adjectively) at
home; hence (by implication of satisfaction) lovely; also
(noun) a home, of God (temple), men (residence), flocks
(pasture), or wild animals (den):--comely, dwelling (place),
fold, habitation, pleasant place, sheepcote, stable, tarried.
see HEBREW for 05115
נָוֶה (na.veh) — pasture.
1) abode, habitation, abode of shepherds or flocks, pasture
1a) abode (of sheep)
1b) abode (of shepherds)
1c) meadow
1d) habitation
נָוֶה (na.veh) — dwelling.
adj
dwelling, abiding
Prep | N-cs — Preposition · noun common masculine singular constructHR/Ncmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
צַדִּיק (tsaddiyq) means just or righteous, covering various aspects such as lawful behavior, moral conduct, and being justified by God. It is derived from a related root and is used to describe individuals who are upright in character and actions.
צַדִּיק 206 adj. just, righteous
base
H6662 צַדִּיק just, righteous
6662 tsaddiyq tsad-deek'
from 6663; just:--just, lawful, righteous (man).
see HEBREW for 06663
צַדִּיק (tsad.diq) — righteous.
1) just, lawful, righteous
1a) just, righteous (in government)
1b) just, right (in one's cause)
1c) just, righteous (in conduct and character)
1d) righteous (as justified and vindicated by God)
1e) right, correct, lawful
Adj — AdjHAamsa
אַל (al) is a negative particle meaning 'not' or 'no,' often used to express a wish or prohibition rather than an objective fact. It can also function as a noun meaning 'nothing.' The lexicons highlight its use in various contexts, including deprecative forms, but do not show significant disagreement.
אַל adv. of negation, denying however, not objectively as a fact, but subjectively as a wish, expressing therefore a deprecation or prohibition
base
H408 אַל adv. of negation, denying however, not objectively as a fact, but subjectively as a wish, expressing therefore a deprecation or prohibition
408 'al al
a negative particle (akin to 3808); not (the qualified
negation, used as a deprecative); once (Job 24:25) as a noun,
nothing:--nay, neither, + never, no ,nor, not, nothing
(worth), rather than.
see HEBREW for 03808
אַל (al) — not.
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)
Part — ParticleHTn
שָׁדַד (shadad) is a Hebrew verb that conveys the idea of dealing violently with something, including meanings like despoil, devastate, and ruin. It has various forms, indicating actions such as violently destroying, being utterly ruined, or assaulting. The entries suggest a strong connotation of destruction and oppression, with the word appearing in contexts related to devastation.
[שָׁדַד] 56 vb. deal violently with, despoil, devastate, ruin
Qal violently destroy, pers. = slay
Niph. we are utterly ruined.
Pi. assault not his dwelling-place
Pu. be devastated
Pō‛el violently destroy
Hoph. be devastated
base
H7703 [שָׁדַד] deal violently with, despoil, devastate, ruin
7703 shadad shaw-dad'
a primitive root; properly, to be burly, i.e. (figuratively)
powerful (passively, impregnable); by implication, to
ravage:--dead, destroy(-er), oppress, robber, spoil(-er), X
utterly, (lay) waste.
שָׁדַד (sha.dad) — to ruin.
1) to deal violently with, despoil, devastate, ruin, destroy, spoil
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to violently destroy, devastate, despoil, assail
1a2) devastator, despoiler (participle) (subst)
1b) (Niphal) to be utterly ruined
1c) (Piel)
1c1) to assault
1c2) to devastate
1d) (Pual) to be devastated
1e) (Poel) to violently destroy
1f) (Hophal) to be devastated
Also means: shud (שׁוּד "to waste" H7736)
V-Piel-Juss-2ms — Verb · Piel · jussive second person masculine singularHVpj2ms
רֵ֫בֶץ (rebets) refers to a place of lying down or resting, often described as a couch or dwelling place. It is derived from the root word for lying down, and its usage encompasses various forms of repose. The entries consistently emphasize its meaning related to rest and dwelling.
רֵ֫בֶץ n.[m.] (place of) lying down, resting- or dwelling-place
base
H7258 רֵ֫בֶץ (place of) lying down, resting- or dwelling-place
7258 rebets reh'-bets
from 7257; a couch or place of repose:--where each lay, lie
down in, resting place.
see HEBREW for 07257
רֵ֫בֶץ (re.vets) — rest.
resting or dwelling place, place of lying down
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp3ms