Proverbs 28:10 kjv

Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.

Proverbs 28:10 nkjv

Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, He himself will fall into his own pit; But the blameless will inherit good.

Proverbs 28:10 niv

Whoever leads the upright along an evil path will fall into their own trap, but the blameless will receive a good inheritance.

Proverbs 28:10 esv

Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance.

Proverbs 28:10 nlt

Those who lead good people along an evil path
will fall into their own trap,
but the honest will inherit good things.

Proverbs 28 verses

Proverbs 28 10 Meaning

Proverbs 28:10 delivers a clear declaration of divine justice, contrasting the inevitable downfall of those who attempt to corrupt the righteous with the blessed endurance of the blameless. It signifies that anyone who intentionally misleads individuals of integrity onto a wicked path will ultimately become ensnared in the very snare they set, suffering a reversal of their malicious intentions. Conversely, those who uphold their sincerity and walk in blamelessness before God are guaranteed to receive lasting good and prosperity as their portion.

Proverbs 28 10 Context

Proverbs 28 is rich with antithetical proverbs, starkly contrasting the righteous and the wicked, particularly in their conduct, the consequences of their actions, and their relationship with God and authority. The chapter speaks to themes of integrity, justice, consequences of sin, diligent labor versus sloth, and the importance of adhering to God's law. Within this moral landscape, Proverbs 28:10 directly addresses the specific wickedness of deliberately leading upright people astray. This verse fits seamlessly into the broader biblical emphasis on individual responsibility, God's moral order, and His commitment to upholding the cause of the righteous while justly recompensing the wicked. The historical context for the original audience, ancient Israel, revolved around their covenant relationship with God, where ethical behavior was intrinsically linked to national well-being and divine blessing or curse. Deceiving or harming one's neighbor, especially one who sought righteousness, was a grave offense against the divine law and the community's fabric.

Proverbs 28 10 Word analysis

• Whoever causes... to go astray (מַשְׁגֶּה - mashgeh): This is a Hiphil participle from the Hebrew root שָׁגָה (shagah), which means "to wander, to err." The Hiphil form signifies a causative action: "to cause to err," "to mislead," "to deceive," or "to lead astray." This highlights an intentional, active role in tempting or guiding someone off a righteous path, rather than merely an incidental influence. The severity lies in the deliberate malice behind the action.
• upright (יְשָׁרִים - yesharim): The plural of יָשָׁר (yashar), meaning "straight," "right," "just," "equitable," or "upright." In a moral and ethical sense, it refers to those whose character and conduct align with God's standards and righteousness. They are individuals who genuinely seek to walk in integrity and according to God's commands.
• in an evil way (בְּדֶרֶךְ רָעָה - b'derekh ra'ah): דֶּרֶךְ (derekh) means "way," "path," or "road," often used metaphorically for a course of life or conduct. רָעָה (ra'ah) means "evil," "wicked," "bad," or "morally corrupt." This phrase specifies that the deception is directed towards a path that is morally perverse and contrary to God's will.
• he himself will fall (יִפֹּל - yippol): From נָפַל (naphal), meaning "to fall," "to fail," "to perish." The emphatic phrasing, including the implied "he himself," underscores that the consequences directly rebound upon the perpetrator, highlighting a divinely ordained irony.
• into his own pit (בְּשַׁחַת לוֹ - b'shachat lo): שַׁחַת (shachat) refers to a "pit," "pitfall," "ditch," or "trap," often dug to ensnare animals. Metaphorically, it represents destruction, corruption, or ruin. The suffix לוֹ (lo) means "to him" or "for himself," explicitly indicating that the pit dug for another becomes the self-made trap for the plotter. It symbolizes divine retribution mirroring the original offense.
• but the blameless (תְּמִימִים - temimim): The plural of תָּמִים (tamim), meaning "complete," "sound," "whole," "perfect," or "blameless." This term denotes moral integrity and sincerity of heart, a life lived without compromise, blemish, or double-mindedness before God, though not necessarily sinless perfection.
• will inherit good (יִנְחֲלוּ־טוֹב - yin'halu-tov): יִנְחֲלוּ (yin'halu) comes from נָחַל (nachal), meaning "to inherit," "to possess," or "to take possession of." טוֹב (tov) means "good," "blessing," "prosperity," "well-being," or "abundance." This phrase assures that integrity leads to lasting benefits and divine blessing, which can be tangible or intangible, reflecting a secure and enduring state of favor.

Words-group analysis:

• Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way: This group highlights the severe culpability of deliberate spiritual or moral corruption of those who are genuinely seeking to follow God. It’s an attack on virtue and righteousness itself, making the perpetrator's sin particularly grievous. The action implies malicious intent and cunning.
• He himself will fall into his own pit: This potent phrase captures the principle of poetic justice and divine reciprocity. The trap laid for the innocent becomes a snare for the wicked architect. It demonstrates that God's justice ensures that evil, once initiated, will inevitably revert upon its source, consuming the one who originated it.
• But the blameless will inherit good: This contrast provides comfort and assurance. While the wicked fall, the morally pure and consistent are not merely protected but are actively blessed. Their adherence to truth and righteousness leads to a secure, favorable outcome, an inheritance of lasting benefit from God.

Proverbs 28 10 Bonus section

This proverb illustrates the concept of lex talionis (law of retaliation) in a spiritual sense, not as human revenge, but as a divine principle where the punishment justly fits the crime. It is an expression of the natural order of God’s justice where actions have consequences, especially where deceit and manipulation are involved. The "pit" is a frequently used image in Psalms and Proverbs to describe the schemes and traps laid by the wicked. Its recurrence emphasizes a consistent theological idea: those who plan destruction for others will experience it themselves. This verse strongly affirms the active involvement of God in upholding justice and protecting those who strive to live righteously. It encourages Christians to live with integrity, assured that even when others plot against them, God’s protective hand will ensure their well-being and reverse the schemes of the wicked.

Proverbs 28 10 Commentary

Proverbs 28:10 articulates a foundational principle of divine justice: actions have commensurate consequences. It zeroes in on a specific form of malice – the active endeavor to subvert the moral standing or spiritual fidelity of genuinely upright individuals. This offense is considered heinous because it not only involves the propagation of evil but specifically targets those who are striving for righteousness. The "pit" is a common biblical metaphor for ruin, a trap, or destruction. By stating that the one who sets such a pit for the upright will "fall into his own pit," the proverb assures that divine retribution perfectly matches the offense. The evil scheme, crafted to ensnare others, becomes a boomerang, an instrument of the plotter's own downfall. This reflects the sovereignty of God, who oversees the moral order and ensures that wicked machinations are self-defeating. In sharp contrast, the proverb offers hope and assurance for "the blameless"—those who walk in integrity and sincerely adhere to God's ways. They are not merely spared from the schemes of the wicked but are promised an "inheritance of good." This signifies a deep, lasting blessedness and prosperity, which can be understood as both material well-being and spiritual favor. It reinforces the biblical truth that integrity is always rewarded by God, either overtly or through divine sustenance and peace. The verse teaches profound moral lessons about the futility of evil and the security of righteousness, serving as both a strong warning against deceit and an encouragement towards unwavering integrity.