Proverbs 18:3 kjv

When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.

Proverbs 18:3 nkjv

When the wicked comes, contempt comes also; And with dishonor comes reproach.

Proverbs 18:3 niv

When wickedness comes, so does contempt, and with shame comes reproach.

Proverbs 18:3 esv

When wickedness comes, contempt comes also, and with dishonor comes disgrace.

Proverbs 18:3 nlt

Doing wrong leads to disgrace,
and scandalous behavior brings contempt.

Proverbs 18 verses

Proverbs 18 3 Meaning

Proverbs 18:3 communicates that the appearance of moral corruption or ungodliness inevitably leads to the experience of social scorn, public humiliation, and profound disgrace. It establishes a cause-and-effect relationship where the pursuit or manifestation of wickedness draws forth contempt and leads to ignominy and reproach, signaling a loss of honor and a public mark of shame for the perpetrator.

Proverbs 18 3 Context

Proverbs chapter 18, like the rest of the book of Proverbs, functions as a collection of wisdom sayings designed to instruct on the path of righteousness and highlight the consequences of folly and wickedness. The immediate preceding verses, 18:1-2, discuss the self-centered, isolated nature of those who chase their own desires and the fool's lack of interest in true understanding, instead seeking to air their own opinions. In this light, verse 3 extends the observation about such misguided individuals, connecting their wicked actions and self-absorption directly to the ensuing public contempt and reproach. The proverb presents a universal moral truth applicable in various contexts, serving as a warning against paths that lead to public disgrace.

Proverbs 18 3 Word analysis

• When wickedness comes (וּבְבוֹא רָשָׁע - ūvevo raša‘):

  • וּבְבוֹא (ūvevo): "And when comes" or "At the coming of." Indicates an event, the manifestation or arrival of something. It suggests an active presence.
  • רָשָׁע (raša‘): "Wicked" or "wickedness." This is a significant Hebrew term, frequently contrasting with tsaddiq (righteous). It refers not just to simple wrongdoing but to one who is guilty, morally corrupt, or even hostile toward God's law. Its "coming" implies a deliberate adoption or eruption of such a character or action. It signifies an opposition to divine standards and an inherent perversion of justice.

• contempt comes also (יָבוֹא גַם־קָלוֹן - yāvo ga-qālōn):

  • יָבוֹא (yāvo): "Comes" or "will come." Reiterates the inevitability, mirroring the previous "comes."
  • גַם (gam): "Also," "even," "too." Emphasizes that contempt is a companion, a direct consequence, not a separate or incidental occurrence.
  • קָלוֹן (qālōn): "Contempt," "disgrace," "shame," "ignominy," "dishonor." From a root meaning to be light or insignificant. Therefore, to be held in qālōn is to be treated as worthless or deserving of scorn. It denotes public dishonor and rejection, reflecting societal disdain.

• and with ignominy (וְעִם־קֶלֶס - wə‘im-qeles):

  • וְעִם (wə‘im): "And with" or "accompanying." Indicates association, suggesting these consequences are intertwined.
  • קֶלֶס (qeles): "Ignominy," "derision," "scorn," "mockery." This word points to active mockery or derision from others, implying public exposure and ridicule for one's shameful behavior. It is a deep level of scorn, worse than just simple disapproval, leading to a loss of face and respect.

• reproach (חֶרְפָּה - ḥerpâ):

  • חֶרְפָּה (ḥerpâ): "Reproach," "disgrace," "shame," "taunt," "insult." This is a very strong term for public humiliation and a deep blow to one's honor. It implies being called out and accused publicly, enduring a public assault on one's dignity and character due to one's actions. It signifies both internal shame and external disgrace, where one's faults are exposed for others to mock or scorn.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "When wickedness comes, contempt comes also": This forms the primary statement, setting up a clear cause-and-effect. It implies that wickedness naturally carries its own inherent punishment of societal contempt, illustrating a universal principle of consequence in a morally ordered universe. It's a statement about inevitable social degradation for those who reject righteousness.
  • "and with ignominy, reproach": This forms a parallel, intensifying the meaning of the first part. The terms "ignominy" and "reproach" amplify "contempt," painting a more vivid picture of the severe public disgrace that accompanies evil. The two phrases use different words to convey a similar yet deepened truth, typical of Hebrew parallelism, reinforcing the idea that public shaming and derision are inevitable companions to wickedness. It's a progression from internal disapproval (contempt) to active, public ridicule (ignominy, reproach).

Proverbs 18 3 Bonus section

• Cultural Context: In ancient Israelite society, honor and shame were paramount. This proverb would resonate deeply as public standing was tied intrinsically to one's moral character and adherence to communal norms. To suffer contempt or reproach was a significant social calamity, more devastating perhaps than material loss, as it affected one's very identity and belonging within the community. The verse serves as a social deterrent as much as a moral lesson.
• Divine Justice: While immediately speaking of human societal reaction, the proverb also hints at a divinely ordered universe where ultimately, wickedness does not prevail unpunished. It foreshadows the final judgment where unrepentant wickedness will lead to "everlasting contempt" (Dan 12:2).
• Contrasting Wisdom: The book of Proverbs frequently contrasts the outcome of wisdom versus folly. This verse serves as a powerful illustration of the consequences of folly – adopting a wicked path that leads directly to disgrace, as opposed to the honor associated with walking in wisdom.

Proverbs 18 3 Commentary

Proverbs 18:3 is a profound statement about the undeniable link between an individual's moral state and their societal standing. It teaches that wickedness is not merely a private affair or a spiritual abstraction; it has tangible, public consequences. The verse underscores a principle of moral reciprocity: those who embrace godlessness will invariably find themselves subject to contempt from others and marked by ignominy and reproach. This disgrace is a natural outpouring and inevitable accompaniment of evil. It acts as a stern warning against the pursuit of unrighteousness, revealing that sin does not glorify but instead debases, stripping an individual of their honor and inviting public scorn. This aligns with biblical wisdom emphasizing that the path of the righteous leads to honor and blessing, while the path of the wicked culminates in shame and ruin.