Proverbs 24:8 kjv

He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person.

Proverbs 24:8 nkjv

He who plots to do evil Will be called a schemer.

Proverbs 24:8 niv

Whoever plots evil will be known as a schemer.

Proverbs 24:8 esv

Whoever plans to do evil will be called a schemer.

Proverbs 24:8 nlt

A person who plans evil
will get a reputation as a troublemaker.

Proverbs 24 verses

Proverbs 24 8 Meaning

Proverbs 24:8 communicates a stark truth: a person who intentionally conceives and devises evil plans will invariably gain a notorious reputation as a cunning plotter or mischief-maker. This verse emphasizes that malevolent thoughts and intentions, even before manifesting as outward deeds, are discernible and lead to a defining, negative societal label, revealing the true character of such an individual. It highlights that the heart's hidden schemes do not remain unperceived in the eyes of others, and more importantly, in the judgment of God.

Proverbs 24 8 Context

Proverbs 24 is part of a collection often titled "Further Sayings of the Wise," comprising chapters 22:17 to 24:34. This section provides various ethical instructions, warnings, and observations on righteous living and the dangers of wickedness. Verse 8 fits within a series of admonitions (24:1-9) against envying evil men or associating with them, instead urging a commitment to wisdom, righteousness, and fear of the Lord. The broader context of Proverbs emphasizes the consequences of actions and intentions, linking character directly to reputation and destiny. It underscores that true wisdom permeates one's inner thoughts and intentions, not merely external behavior. The "master of intrigue" here stands in stark contrast to the wise person who delights in discernment and good counsel.

Proverbs 24 8 Word analysis

• He who plans: (Hebrew: chashav - חָשַׁב) - This Hebrew verb means to devise, scheme, reckon, intend, or think up. It implies a deliberate, premeditated, and often calculated mental effort. It's not a momentary lapse or accidental wrong, but an active formulation of malicious intent. The participle form emphasizes this as a characteristic of the person, defining them as someone who consistently engages in such internal scheming.
• to do evil: (Hebrew: ra'ah - רָעָה) - This term signifies moral evil, wickedness, harm, or mischief. It encompasses actions that are contrary to God's will and are destructive or harmful to others. The pairing with chashav highlights that the intent is not benign but actively aimed at causing harm or transgression.
• Men will call: (Hebrew: yiqqare' - יִקָּרֵא) - This verb means "to be called" or "to be named," presented in the passive voice. It denotes that this labeling is a widely accepted, perhaps inevitable, public or communal recognition of the person's true character. It indicates that their inner machinations will eventually be perceived and assigned a corresponding reputation, reflecting the moral discernment of the community.
• a master of intrigue: (Hebrew: ba'al mezimmot - בַּעַל מְזִמּוֹת) - This is a crucial phrase. Ba'al literally means "owner," "master," or "possessor of," implying someone skilled or characterized by something. Mezimmot (plural of mezimmah) refers to wicked devices, schemes, evil plots, or cunning contrivances. The entire phrase depicts someone whose very nature or defining characteristic is their proficiency and tendency to formulate malicious and devious plans. They are not merely occasional wrongdoers, but individuals whose minds are continually engaged in clever, but malevolent, stratagems. This distinguishes them from simple offenders by highlighting their depth of malicious cunning.

Words-group analysis:

• "He who plans to do evil": This phrase underlines that the primary focus of the verse is not merely on outward action, but on the inner disposition, the heart's intent and design. It is the contemplation and formulation of malevolent purpose that is condemned, emphasizing the biblical truth that sin originates within the thoughts and desires.
• "Men will call a master of intrigue": This part illustrates the consequence and social perception. It suggests a form of moral justice where an individual's character, even if rooted in hidden thoughts, eventually shapes their public identity and reputation. Being labeled a "master of intrigue" signifies not just a doer of evil, but one skilled and characterized by clever malice and treachery. It conveys that society, perceiving the patterns of such a person's life or discovering their underlying motives, accurately applies a fitting and negative identifier.

Proverbs 24 8 Bonus section

• This proverb implicitly teaches that human discernment, guided by wisdom, can often perceive the true nature of a person, even when their intentions are covert.
• The Hebrew term mezimmah is sometimes translated as "wicked schemes" or "sinful plots," showing a combination of intellectual craftiness and moral corruption, distinguishing it from simple error or rash action.
• The proverb offers a cautionary tale not only for the one who plans evil but also for the community, urging them to exercise wisdom in identifying such individuals and to be wary of those known for devising mischief.
• It reinforces the wisdom tradition's emphasis on character formation, beginning from the inner man (thoughts and intentions), as it is from these that actions, and subsequently reputation, flow.

Proverbs 24 8 Commentary

Proverbs 24:8 serves as a profound warning that a life lived in secret malevolence, filled with malicious schemes and deceptive intentions, does not remain unmasked. It states that such an individual, whose very mind is preoccupied with plotting evil, will ultimately be identified by a derogatory, yet fitting, label: a "master of intrigue" or "mischief-maker." This highlights the pervasive biblical theme that God examines the heart and that internal moral dispositions have outward consequences. It's not just the action, but the evil intent itself, the clever design of harm, that earns divine disapproval and, by natural consequence, human disdain. The proverb underscores that while one may hide their plots, their character eventually becomes apparent, shaping their reputation. This moral foresight challenges believers to cultivate purity of thought and heart, understanding that integrity extends to one's secret internal world.