Proverbs 11:10 kjv

When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.

Proverbs 11:10 nkjv

When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices; And when the wicked perish, there is jubilation.

Proverbs 11:10 niv

When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.

Proverbs 11:10 esv

When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness.

Proverbs 11:10 nlt

The whole city celebrates when the godly succeed;
they shout for joy when the wicked die.

Proverbs 11 verses

Proverbs 11 10 Meaning

Proverbs 11:10 illustrates the public response to the varying destinies of the righteous and the wicked. It articulates that the general populace, represented by "the city," celebrates and experiences joy when righteous individuals prosper and thrive. Conversely, a similar collective sentiment of relief and jubilant affirmation arises when wicked individuals are brought low or removed from their position of influence or life. The verse underscores a principle of divine justice, where societal well-being and happiness are intrinsically linked to the presence and prevalence of righteousness and the removal of evil.

Proverbs 11 10 Context

Proverbs chapter 11 continues the book's overarching theme of contrasting the ways and outcomes of the righteous and the wicked. The verses preceding and following 11:10 emphasize integrity, justice, and generosity, and their positive impact on society and the individual, versus the destructive nature of pride, greed, and deceit. This chapter specifically highlights how an individual's character directly affects their standing, prosperity, and indeed, the welfare of the entire community or "city." Verse 10 acts as a social observation, reflecting a common human desire for justice and societal harmony, which is fulfilled when righteousness prevails and evil is thwarted. It is a commentary on the communal perception of moral order being upheld. Historically, a city's prosperity and security were often directly tied to the character of its leadership and citizenry; corrupt rulers or prevalent wickedness could lead to collapse or suffering, while righteous governance brought peace and flourishing.

Proverbs 11 10 Word analysis

• When it goes well with the righteous (בְּטוּב צַדִּיקִים, bᵉṭûḇ tsaddîqîm):

  • בְּטוּב (bᵉṭûḇ): "in the good," "when good comes," or "in the prosperity/well-being of." This indicates a state of flourishing, success, or favorable circumstances.
  • צַדִּיקִים (tsaddîqîm): Plural of צַדִּיק (tsaddîq), meaning "righteous ones," "just ones," or those who adhere to divine law and demonstrate integrity in their actions. It implies conformity to God's standard of right living. Their "well-being" is not accidental but often seen as a direct consequence of God's blessing and their upright conduct.

• the city rejoices (תַּעֲלֹץ קִרְיָה, taʿălōts qiryāh):

  • תַּעֲלֹץ (taʿălōts): From עָלַץ (ʿalats), meaning "to exult," "to be jubilant," or "to greatly rejoice." It suggests a loud, overt display of happiness.
  • קִרְיָה (qiryāh): "city," representing the collective community, its inhabitants, and even its governing structure. The city rejoices not just symbolically, but through the joyful shouts and celebrations of its people. This highlights the public, societal dimension of righteousness's impact.

• and when the wicked perish (וּבַאֲבֹד רְשָׁעִים, ûḇa'ăḇōd rᵉšāʿîm):

  • וּבַאֲבֹד (ûḇa'ăḇōd): "and when they perish/are lost/are destroyed." From אָבַד ('aḇad), "to perish," "to be lost," "to be destroyed." This refers to the wicked losing their power, their influence, or their very lives. It's often linked to divine judgment and the natural consequences of evil.
  • רְשָׁעִים (rᵉšāʿîm): Plural of רָשָׁע (rāšāʿ), meaning "wicked ones," "guilty ones," those who disregard God's law and live in opposition to righteousness.

• there is shouting (רִנָּה, rinnāh):

  • רִנָּה (rinnāh): "a shout," "a joyful cry," "a ringing cry," or "a sound of triumph." This term carries a strong connotation of acclamation, similar to a shout of victory or triumph. Its repetition of the joy theme found in "rejoices" (from ʿalats) emphasizes the powerful public relief and satisfaction when evil is undone.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices": This phrase paints a picture of a flourishing society directly benefiting from and celebrating the success of those who live justly. It reflects an intuitive human sense that a society led by or populated by righteous individuals is inherently better off and deserves to be celebrated. This can be understood as an indirect polemic against beliefs that uphold self-serving or corrupt leadership, arguing that true prosperity for the collective stems from moral integrity.

• "and when the wicked perish, there is shouting": This counterpart signifies collective relief and the restoration of order. The "shouting" is not necessarily a gloating over suffering, but rather a profound sense of deliverance from oppression, injustice, or the negative societal effects of the wicked. It underlines the idea that the removal of evil elements is cause for genuine public jubilation, for it signifies a return to stability and a confirmation of divine justice.

Proverbs 11 10 Bonus section

The rejoicing in Proverbs 11:10 is not contradictory to passages like Prov 24:17-18 which warn against gloating over a personal enemy's downfall. Rather, Proverbs 11:10 refers to a corporate, public celebration over the general triumph of justice and righteousness, or the eradication of widespread oppression or societal evil, which brings relief to the whole community. It's a recognition of the collective good served when God's righteous order prevails. The city rejoices over the systemic restoration of equity and safety, not individual vengeance. This Proverb can be seen as reflecting the ultimate hope of God's people throughout history, who anticipate the day when all injustice will cease and true righteousness will reign, leading to universal jubilation. It also underscores the civic responsibility of both the righteous (to bring blessing) and the community (to uphold justice against wickedness).

Proverbs 11 10 Commentary

Proverbs 11:10 captures a fundamental observation about societal well-being and moral order. It presents a world where moral principles yield observable, collective outcomes. When righteous individuals thrive—whether in leadership, commerce, or general citizenship—their integrity and good deeds benefit the wider community, fostering an atmosphere of trust, justice, and prosperity. The resulting public "rejoicing" is an organic, heartfelt affirmation of this positive influence, recognizing that their well-being contributes to the city's peace and stability.

Conversely, the "perishing" of the wicked is greeted with communal "shouting." This is not an endorsement of personal vindictiveness or cruelty, but rather a celebration of divine justice being administered and the oppressive, corrupting, or destabilizing influence of the wicked being removed. It signifies liberation and relief. In a society grappling with injustice, exploitation, or chaos perpetuated by evil individuals, their removal is perceived as a restoration of balance and hope. The verse points to a natural human desire for a just world and finds satisfaction when God's moral governance, either through direct intervention or the natural consequences of sin, brings about the downfall of those who harm the community. It also implicitly highlights the transience of wicked power.