Proverbs 24:15 kjv

Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place:

Proverbs 24:15 nkjv

Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; Do not plunder his resting place;

Proverbs 24:15 niv

Do not lurk like a thief near the house of the righteous, do not plunder their dwelling place;

Proverbs 24:15 esv

Lie not in wait as a wicked man against the dwelling of the righteous; do no violence to his home;

Proverbs 24:15 nlt

Don't wait in ambush at the home of the godly,
and don't raid the house where the godly live.

Proverbs 24 verses

Proverbs 24 15 Meaning

Proverbs 24:15 issues a strong admonition against the malicious and violent intent of the wicked toward the dwelling and peaceful existence of the righteous. It serves as a direct command not to ambush or plunder the home and secure place of a person who lives uprightly before God. The verse highlights the sacredness of a home as a place of safety and rest, particularly for the righteous, and condemns any act designed to violate that peace through treachery or violence. It implies both a legal and divine deterrent against such predatory behavior, assuring that such wicked acts will not go unpunished.

Proverbs 24 15 Context

Proverbs 24 is part of a section identified as "Sayings of the Wise," distinct from earlier collections often attributed directly to Solomon. This chapter emphasizes the benefits of wisdom, diligence, and upright living, while contrasting them with the foolishness and destructive path of the wicked. Verses immediately surrounding Proverbs 24:15 focus on the themes of divine justice and the ultimate triumph of the righteous over the wicked. Verse 14 affirms the positive outcome of seeking wisdom, equating it to finding honey, providing a "future and a hope." Verse 16 highlights the resilience of the righteous, stating, "For though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again, but the wicked stumble in time of calamity." Proverbs 24:15 serves as a direct prohibition that reinforces these themes by warning the wicked against their predatory inclinations, implying that such actions violate divine order and will be met with divine opposition. Historically and culturally, a man's home in ancient Israel was his fortress and sanctuary, a place of peace, safety, and rest, integral to family life and personal dignity. To violate it was considered a grave offense against the individual, their family, and God's established order. The "wicked man" (rasha) represented those who willfully defied divine laws and societal norms for personal gain, often through violent or deceptive means. The proverb stands as a polemic against the opportunistic and predatory tendencies prevalent in human society, promoting respect for property and the sanctity of personal peace.

Proverbs 24 15 Word analysis

• Lie not in wait (אֹרַב, 'orav): From the Hebrew root meaning "to lurk, to ambush, to lie in ambush." This term denotes a premeditated, hidden, and deceitful intention to harm. It speaks of a concealed hostile purpose, indicating malice and treachery rather than an open confrontation.

• O wicked man (רָשָׁע, rasha'): This Hebrew term broadly describes one who is morally guilty, ungodly, criminal, or at fault. It characterizes an individual whose actions and disposition are contrary to God's standards and righteous conduct. The direct address "O wicked man" emphasizes a clear, personal warning to those inclined toward evil.

• against the dwelling (נָוֶה, naveh): In Hebrew, this term signifies a habitation, pasture, dwelling-place, or home. It conveys the idea of a settled, safe, and usually peaceful abode, often implying comfort and security. It represents not just a physical structure but the sacred space of private life and family peace.

• of the righteous (צַדִּיק, tsaddiq): This Hebrew word means "just, righteous, innocent." It describes a person who aligns with divine law, conducts themselves with integrity, and maintains proper relationship with God and others. The verse underscores that the victim of the ambush is not one who deserves harm, but an upright individual.

• spoil not (שָׁדַּד, shadad): A powerful Hebrew verb meaning "to deal violently with, to devastate, to plunder, to ravage, to lay waste, to destroy." This implies a forceful and destructive act of despoiling or taking by force. It suggests not merely stealing, but inflicting severe damage and loss, robbing the inhabitant of their security and livelihood.

• his resting place (מִרְבָּץ, mirbatz): Derived from the root רָבַץ (ravatz), meaning "to lie down, to rest." Mirbatz specifically denotes a lying place, a lair for animals, or by extension, a resting place for humans. In this context, it functions as a strong poetic parallel to "dwelling," emphasizing the home as a place of refuge, repose, and deep security, thus magnifying the wickedness of violating it.

• "Lie not in wait, O wicked man": This phrase captures the deceitful and premeditated nature of the wicked person's intentions. It's an active prohibition against forming an ambush or secretly planning harm, directly condemning the mindset of aggression and ill-will. The direct address is both a warning and a condemnation of a specific character type.

• "against the dwelling of the righteous": This part highlights the specific target of the wicked man's malice—the sacred, safe haven of an upright person. It emphasizes that the crime is not accidental but targeted against a place of security belonging to someone who lives in alignment with God's ways. The phrase defines the inviolability of the home.

• "spoil not his resting place": This strongly echoes and amplifies the first part of the verse. "Spoil not" conveys the active, destructive act of plundering or laying waste, while "his resting place" underscores the complete violation of personal peace and sanctuary. The parallelism strengthens the prohibition, stressing that neither cunning pretense nor outright violence against the righteous person's safe haven is acceptable.

Proverbs 24 15 Bonus section

The double injunction in Proverbs 24:15 – "lie not in wait" and "spoil not" – functions as a chiastic warning. The first phrase focuses on the stealthy, premeditated thought or plan (ambush), while the second speaks to the outward, destructive execution (plunder). This comprehensive warning covers both internal malevolent intent and external harmful action, emphasizing that wickedness is condemned at all stages. The pairing of "dwelling" (a broader term for a place of habitation) and "resting place" (a specific spot for repose) serves to amplify the sanctity and inviolability of the righteous person's private space. This suggests a divine command to uphold fundamental property rights and the personal security of the individual, not just within a community, but in God's broader moral order. It foreshadows the New Testament principle of "love your neighbor as yourself," extending beyond mere absence of physical harm to protecting another's peace and well-being.

Proverbs 24 15 Commentary

Proverbs 24:15 is a potent ethical instruction that prohibits both the deceptive intention and the violent act of infringing upon the safety and peace of the righteous. It's a foundational principle affirming the divine protection over the home and secure living of those who live uprightly. The verse explicitly addresses the "wicked man," not merely describing his nature, but issuing a direct moral and potentially legal injunction against his predatory inclinations. It recognizes that wickedness often manifests through calculated treachery (lying in wait) and aggressive devastation (spoiling). The home, symbolized by "dwelling" and "resting place," is presented as a sanctuary, whose violation is an egregious offense in the eyes of God and just society. This proverb encapsulates the broader biblical theme that while the wicked may scheme, the righteous are ultimately under God's watchful care, and their peace is not to be trifled with. Practically, this means respecting others' space, possessions, and peace, avoiding envy, and refraining from any plot or action that would cause another harm or unjustly deprive them of their security.

Examples:

• Refraining from gossiping or spreading false rumors that could damage someone's reputation, metaphorically "spoiling their resting place" of peace.
• Resisting the urge to scheme financially or legally against someone in a vulnerable position.
• Actively defending someone's character when they are being unfairly targeted by others' malice.