Proverbs 16:27 kjv

An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.

Proverbs 16:27 nkjv

An ungodly man digs up evil, And it is on his lips like a burning fire.

Proverbs 16:27 niv

A scoundrel plots evil, and on their lips it is like a scorching fire.

Proverbs 16:27 esv

A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.

Proverbs 16:27 nlt

Scoundrels create trouble;
their words are a destructive blaze.

Proverbs 16 verses

Proverbs 16 27 Meaning

Proverbs 16:27 reveals the intrinsic nature and outward actions of a wicked individual. It describes a man devoid of moral worth who actively seeks, plots, and produces evil, much like someone digging intensely to unearth something. Furthermore, his very words are likened to a scorching fire, possessing immense power to rapidly spread damage, cause pain, and bring about destruction wherever they are uttered. The verse illustrates a destructive combination of internal malicious intent and external harmful speech.

Proverbs 16 27 Context

Proverbs 16 emphasizes the contrast between the righteous and the wicked, frequently highlighting the source and manifestation of their deeds. The chapter begins with God's sovereignty over human plans (Prov 16:1-4), moves into the nature and consequences of pride, humility, and justice, and ultimately stresses the profound influence of a person's words and conduct. Verse 27 specifically links internal malice ("digs up evil") with its outward, destructive verbal expression ("a burning fire on his lips"). It stands in antithesis to verses that commend wholesome and pleasant words, such as Proverbs 16:24, thereby reinforcing the central theme of wisdom literature: the power of words, and the moral choices concerning their use. Historically, wisdom was sought to navigate societal interactions, and the control of one's speech was paramount, reflecting one's inner character.

Proverbs 16 27 Word Analysis

• An ungodly man: אִישׁ בְּלִיַּעַל ('ish bĕliyya'al)

  • 'ish (אִישׁ): man, person.
  • bĕliyya'al (בְּלִיַּעַל): from beli (without) and ya'al (profit, worth, usefulness). Thus, "without profit," "worthless," "good for nothing," "vile," "scoundrel," "wicked." This term denotes utter moral depravity, referring to a person whose character is fundamentally bad, often associated with rebellion, lawlessness, and mischief. It's not just "bad" but describes a profound ethical corruption, completely useless for good. In some contexts, it can even refer to an adversary.

• digs up: חֹרֶה (ḥoreh)

  • From the root charah (חרה), meaning "to dig," "to burrow," "to delve," "to carve out." It can also carry the nuance of "to plot," "to devise," or "to ferret out." The verb is active and intentional. It implies considerable effort and diligence applied to the task of bringing something to light or creating something from concealment. Here, it denotes premeditation and determined pursuit of evil.

• evil: רָעָה (ra'ah)

  • Evil, wickedness, mischief, trouble, harm, disaster. This term encompasses both moral evil and the resulting calamity or distress it causes. In this context, it is the wicked scheme or harmful outcome that the 'ungodly man' is diligently bringing forth.

• and in his lips: וְעַל שְׂפָתָיו (wĕ'al sĕfātāyw)

  • wĕ (וְ): and (connective).
  • 'al (עַל): upon, over, on (preposition indicating location).
  • sĕfātāyw (שְׂפָתָיו): his lips. A metonymy for speech, words, and verbal expressions. What is "upon his lips" is what comes out of his mouth.

• there is as a burning fire: כְּאֵשׁ צָרָבֶת (kĕ'ēsh tsāravet)

  • kĕ (כְּ): like, as (comparative particle).
  • 'ēsh (אֵשׁ): fire. Symbolizes destruction, judgment, and intense heat.
  • tsāravet (צָרָבֶת): a scorching, burning, searing. It refers to a type of fire that doesn't just flicker but consumes and inflicts pain, a blazing, intense flame.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "An ungodly man digs up evil": This phrase paints a vivid picture of proactive wickedness. The individual characterized as ish bĕliyya'al (a truly vile person) is not merely tempted by evil; he actively and diligently ḥoreh (digs, devises, or ferrets out) ra'ah (evil/mischief). This suggests premeditated malice, a deliberate effort to create or discover harm. It speaks to the inner state of heart and the intentional nature of sin.

• "and in his lips there is as a burning fire": This second clause reveals the destructive outcome of the inner depravity and scheming. The very words that come upon his lips are described with the potent simile kĕ'ēsh tsāravet (like a scorching fire). This highlights the destructive power, rapidity, and painful consequences of the wicked man's speech. His words are not just idle; they are potent agents of destruction—gossip, slander, lies, incitement—capable of spreading rapidly and causing significant harm to others and society, much like a wildfire. This connects the wicked man's evil intentions (dug up evil) directly to the venomous words that issue from his mouth.

Proverbs 16 27 Bonus Section

The concept of a "man of Belial" (אִישׁ בְּלִיַּעַל) appears elsewhere in Scripture to describe persons of the lowest character, often rebels against God or community, confirming their inherent worthlessness and lawlessness (e.g., Deut 13:13 regarding apostates, 1 Sam 2:12 for Eli's wicked sons, 1 Sam 25:17 for Nabal's insubordination). This strengthens the verse's portrayal of deep-seated wickedness. The imagery of digging implies not only a search for evil but potentially uncovering existing flaws or secrets in others with the specific purpose of exploiting them for malicious ends. Furthermore, the "burning fire" on the lips contrasts sharply with God's design for speech, which is to build up, comfort, and instruct (Eph 4:29). This verse implicitly warns listeners not to be consumed by such fiery words and encourages the pursuit of godly speech that brings healing and life.

Proverbs 16 27 Commentary

Proverbs 16:27 is a stark portrayal of the inherently destructive nature of the ungodly. The term "ungodly man" (literally "man of Belial") signifies someone who is not merely misguided, but fundamentally devoid of moral worth and goodness. This person is characterized by active malevolence: he doesn't just encounter evil, but "digs it up." This imagery conveys a deliberate, persistent effort to discover, devise, or even generate harm. He doesn't wait for trouble; he actively cultivates it, much like one might mine for treasure, but his 'treasure' is wickedness.

The second part of the verse reveals how this inner wickedness manifests outwardly: "in his lips there is as a burning fire." This vivid metaphor highlights the dangerous potency of his words. They are not merely harsh; they are incendiary. Like a scorching fire, his words (be they gossip, slander, divisive language, or lies) spread rapidly, cause immense pain, consume reputations, relationships, and peace, and leave widespread destruction in their wake. This isn't just about speaking thoughtlessly; it's about speech that is inherently destructive and born from a malevolent heart. The verse warns against the devastating combination of an evil heart actively devising harm and a tongue that serves as a powerful instrument to unleash that harm.

• Practical Usage Examples:
  • Recognizing the destructive potential of gossip: when a "rumor" is spread with malicious intent, it acts like a "burning fire."
  • Identifying manipulative individuals who stir up trouble: those who actively "dig up" past wrongs or hidden faults to use them for their own agenda.
  • Discerning divisive rhetoric in communities or groups, understanding it stems from a desire to sow discord.