Proverbs 14:32 kjv

The wicked is driven away in his wickedness: but the righteous hath hope in his death.

Proverbs 14:32 nkjv

The wicked is banished in his wickedness, But the righteous has a refuge in his death.

Proverbs 14:32 niv

When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.

Proverbs 14:32 esv

The wicked is overthrown through his evildoing, but the righteous finds refuge in his death.

Proverbs 14:32 nlt

The wicked are crushed by disaster,
but the godly have a refuge when they die.

Proverbs 14 verses

Proverbs 14 32 Meaning

This proverb starkly contrasts the ultimate destinies of the wicked and the righteous, particularly at the point of death. The wicked, by virtue of their own sinful life, face forceful rejection and destruction, having no refuge when their earthly existence ends. In profound opposition, the righteous, who have lived in conformity with God's will, possess a steadfast hope and a secure refuge in their dying moments and beyond, anchored in their trust in the Lord.

Proverbs 14 32 Context

Proverbs chapter 14 belongs to the section of Solomonic proverbs (Proverbs 10:1–22:16) which largely consists of antithetical couplets. These couplets present contrasting pairs, highlighting the differing characteristics and outcomes of the wise versus the foolish, the righteous versus the wicked. Verse 32 specifically stands as a potent summary statement of this contrast, focusing on the ultimate consequences beyond earthly life, at the point of death and subsequent judgment. It appears amidst other proverbs detailing the benefits of righteousness and the pitfalls of wickedness, thereby intensifying the chapter's overarching theme that one's moral character, whether good or evil, fundamentally shapes their destiny. Historically and culturally, this proverb speaks to an ancient Near Eastern context where concepts of justice and retribution, even after death, were debated and diverse, often contrasting with the secure hope presented by the covenant faith.

Proverbs 14 32 Word analysis

• The wicked (רָשָׁע, rasha): This Hebrew term denotes a person who is morally guilty, unrighteous, condemned, or alienated from God's law. It's not merely one who commits an evil act, but one whose character is defined by a consistent posture against God's ways, leading to guilt before God.
• is driven away (נִדְּחֶה, nidcheh): Derived from the root dachah, meaning "to push, thrust, or cast out." The Niphal stem implies a passive or reflexive action – they are "driven away" or "cast out," often forcefully. This signifies a removal without hope of return, a rejection that leads to destruction, implying expulsion from any place of security or life.
• in his wickedness (בְּרָעָתוֹ, b'ra'ato): The Hebrew preposition be- indicates "in," "by means of," or "because of." Thus, the wicked are driven away because of or in the very midst of their own evil deeds or their state of depravity. Their unrighteousness is not merely a description but the direct cause or context of their downfall, an inescapable consequence of their chosen path.
• but the righteous (וְצַדִּיק, v'tzaddik): This is a direct contrast, introduced by the conjunction "but" (vav). A tzaddik is one who is upright, just, vindicated, or in right standing before God. Their actions conform to divine standards, flowing from a heart that seeks God's ways.
• hath hope (יַחְסֶה, yachseh): From the Hebrew root חָסָה, chasah. While often translated "hope," chasah more profoundly means "to seek refuge, to trust in, to put confidence in." It implies finding shelter or protection, especially in a time of trouble. This is not mere wishful thinking, but a deep-seated reliance and security found in God, particularly effective when faced with death's apparent finality.
• in his death (בְמוֹתוֹ, b'moto): The preposition be- here also means "in" or "at." For the righteous, it is precisely at the moment of or in the circumstance of their death that their hope is realized, solidified, or fully justified. This indicates an eschatological focus: the ultimate test and demonstration of character comes at life's end, determining an everlasting destiny.
• Words-group Analysis: The verse establishes a striking antithetical parallelism, a hallmark of Proverbs. It sharply contrasts the ultimate fate of two distinct groups: "the wicked" and "the righteous." The core contrast is between being "driven away" and "having hope (or refuge)." This is underscored by the phrase "in his wickedness" versus "in his death," which highlights that the very thing that characterizes one's life—either moral depravity or righteousness—determines their disposition at death and into eternity. For the wicked, death is an ultimate rejection caused by their own life choices; for the righteous, death is a transition into a secured refuge and fulfilled hope rooted in God.

Proverbs 14 32 Bonus section

This proverb implicitly prefigures later scriptural revelation, particularly the New Testament emphasis on resurrection and eternal life or judgment. The "hope" of the righteous mentioned here is profoundly clarified and amplified through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which confirms the defeat of death and provides the bedrock for the believer's confident expectation of eternal life. The phrase "in his death" for the righteous, though understood as a hope at the point of physical death, truly speaks to the confidence concerning what lies after death. This contrasts sharply with philosophical fatalism or pagan beliefs where death might be viewed with ultimate despair or an unknown, chaotic underworld. In this wisdom utterance, the tzaddik's hope is specific, rooted in their relationship with God and indicative of a secure destiny.

Proverbs 14 32 Commentary

Proverbs 14:32 offers a profound and concise declaration concerning divine justice and human destiny, transcending temporal earthly experiences to highlight ultimate consequences. It posits that death, far from being a universal equalizer, serves as a crucial differentiator, revealing the eternal implications of one's life choices. The wicked, having alienated themselves from God through their unrighteousness, possess no genuine security; their demise is depicted as a forceful expulsion, a direct and inevitable outcome of their rebellion against divine order. They are swept away, often with no legacy but their evil. Conversely, the righteous, who live in a covenant relationship with God, characterized by trust and obedience, possess an enduring hope that culminates in and extends beyond death. This hope is not a naive optimism but a grounded trust, a "refuge" (as indicated by chasah), in the Lord who saves and receives them. Their death is not an end but a transition into the fulfillment of divine promises, securing eternal peace and presence with God. This verse therefore calls for a life lived in accordance with divine wisdom, understanding that earthly actions have eternal repercussions.