Proverbs 24:22 kjv

For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?

Proverbs 24:22 nkjv

For their calamity will rise suddenly, And who knows the ruin those two can bring?

Proverbs 24:22 niv

for those two will send sudden destruction on them, and who knows what calamities they can bring?

Proverbs 24:22 esv

for disaster will arise suddenly from them, and who knows the ruin that will come from them both?

Proverbs 24:22 nlt

for disaster will hit them suddenly.
Who knows what punishment will come
from the LORD and the king?

Proverbs 24 verses

Proverbs 24 22 Meaning

Proverbs 24:22 serves as a stark warning, explaining the consequence for those who defy divine and earthly authority, specifically referenced in the preceding verse. It states that sudden calamity will inevitably befall such individuals. The verse highlights the overwhelming and unforeseeable magnitude of ruin brought about by the combined judgment of the Lord and the king, or by a swift, dual catastrophe.

Proverbs 24 22 Context

Proverbs 24, as part of the "Sayings of the Wise" (chapters 22-24), focuses on practical wisdom, warning against various forms of foolishness, envy, laziness, and dishonesty. Verses 21 and 22 form a cohesive unit that particularly cautions against associating with "changeable people" or rebels, those who defy established order, whether divine or civil. The chapter underscores the importance of a well-ordered life founded on diligent work, sound judgment, and reverence for God and human authority. This verse provides the severe consequence of disregarding the preceding exhortation to fear the Lord and the king. Historically and culturally, respect for both divine command and monarchical decree was paramount in ancient Near Eastern societies, with disobedience often carrying swift and harsh penalties, both perceived as originating from a divine mandate.

Proverbs 24 22 Word analysis

• For (כִּי, ki): A conjunction here introducing the reason or explanation for the preceding statement in verse 21. It signifies that the consequences described are a direct outcome of defying the Lord and the king.
• their calamity (אֵידָם, eidam): Refers to a sudden, overwhelming disaster, destruction, or misfortune that is difficult to recover from. It often implies a divinely appointed or severe form of judgment. The possessive suffix 'their' refers to "those who are given to change" (Prov 24:21b) – rebels, revolutionaries, or those who defy stability.
• will rise (יָקוּם, yaqum): From the verb קוּם (qum), meaning "to rise," "arise," or "stand up." Here, it denotes the inevitable and forceful manifestation of the calamity. It suggests the disaster will not just occur, but actively and powerfully "stand up against" them.
• suddenly (פִתְאֹם, pit'om): An adverb emphasizing the abruptness, swiftness, and unexpected nature of the disaster. There will be no warning, no time to prepare or escape. This underlines the immediate and inescapable nature of the impending judgment.
• And who knows (וּמִי יוֹדֵעַ, u'mi yodea): This is a rhetorical question. It implies that no one can truly comprehend or anticipate the full extent and destructive power of the impending ruin. It highlights the inscrutable and devastating magnitude of the consequences.
• the ruin (פִיד, pid): Similar to eidam, meaning ruin, destruction, or misfortune, often related to the failure of plans or loss due to calamity. It underscores the utter desolation and lack of hope for those who face this judgment.
• they both (שְׁנֵיהֶם, shneihem): A crucial term. In light of the preceding verse (24:21: "Fear the LORD and the king"), this refers directly to the Lord (God) and the King. It signifies that judgment comes from two formidable and irresistible sources – the divine and the sovereign human authority, acting either separately or in concert. Their combined power is insurmountable.
• can bring (יָבִיא, yavi'): From the verb בּוֹא (bo), "to come," or in the causative stem, "to bring" or "cause to come." Here, it denotes the action of bringing forth or inflicting the ruin.

Words-group analysis:

• "their calamity will rise suddenly": This phrase paints a picture of swift, unannounced disaster. It contrasts with a gradual decline, implying that judgment, when it comes for the rebellious, will be a sudden, overwhelming event, leaving no room for escape or mitigation. It speaks to the unpredictable and unavoidable nature of consequence when defying ultimate authority.
• "And who knows the ruin they both can bring?": This rhetorical question magnifies the terror and scale of the coming destruction. It implies that the ruin from the combined judgment of God and the king is so vast and comprehensive that no human mind can truly grasp its horror. It evokes a sense of dread and powerlessness before such a formidable combined force, emphasizing the foolishness of those who invite it.

Proverbs 24 22 Bonus section

The Hebrew term eidam (calamity) often implies an overwhelming force beyond human control, linking it to natural disasters or divine wrath, which further underscores the idea of inescapable doom. The king's role in this context also highlights the belief that human rulers, especially in a Theocratic monarchy, acted as instruments of divine justice. Disrespect for them was therefore, in essence, disrespect for God. The passage strongly advises against any form of social or political destabilization, reinforcing order and reverence as key components of wise living.

Proverbs 24 22 Commentary

Proverbs 24:22 concludes the warning issued in the previous verse, specifying the inescapable doom for those who disrespect both God and the king. It underscores a central theme in Proverbs: wisdom is fundamentally about fearing the Lord, which includes submitting to His ordained authorities. To rebel against either the divine order or legitimate human governance (which is often presented as God-ordained in wisdom literature and beyond) invites not a gradual decline but a catastrophic, sudden collapse. The emphasis on "suddenly" means there's no time to escape or reverse course once the judgment begins. "They both" clarifies the sources of this overwhelming ruin: the omnipotent Creator and His earthly representative, the sovereign king. This highlights a dual layer of accountability and retribution, making the consequence all the more certain and severe. The rhetorical question, "And who knows the ruin they both can bring?", is not to ask if someone truly knows, but to emphasize that no one can fathom the absolute magnitude of the desolation they are capable of inflicting, serving as a powerful deterrent against rebellion.