Proverbs 6:15 kjv

Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.

Proverbs 6:15 nkjv

Therefore his calamity shall come suddenly; Suddenly he shall be broken without remedy.

Proverbs 6:15 niv

Therefore disaster will overtake him in an instant; he will suddenly be destroyed?without remedy.

Proverbs 6:15 esv

therefore calamity will come upon him suddenly; in a moment he will be broken beyond healing.

Proverbs 6:15 nlt

But they will be destroyed suddenly,
broken in an instant beyond all hope of healing.

Proverbs 6 verses

Proverbs 6 15 Meaning

Proverbs 6:15 states that for the person who practices wickedness, devises evil, and sows discord, their catastrophic ruin will descend upon them without warning. This destruction will be instantaneous and utterly comprehensive, leaving no possibility of recovery or reversal. It emphasizes the swift, certain, and irremediable consequence of persistent and malicious sin, demonstrating the ultimate futility of a life lived contrary to divine wisdom.

Proverbs 6 15 Context

Proverbs chapter 6 opens with admonitions against foolish engagements such as foolish surety and laziness. Verses 12-19 then pivot to a sharp condemnation of a "worthless person, a wicked man" (ish beliyya‘al). This individual is characterized by deceitful speech, malicious non-verbal cues (winking eyes, shuffling feet, pointing fingers), a perverse heart that plots evil, and a propensity to sow discord among brothers. The "worthless person" here is someone fundamentally corrupt and actively destructive in the community. Proverbs 6:15 serves as the inevitable and ultimate consequence for such a persistent pattern of wickedness and malevolence. It is part of the wisdom instruction emphasizing that one's moral choices have sure outcomes, especially in God's moral universe, where justice is upheld. The chapter teaches against harmful behaviors by illustrating their grave consequences, asserting that no amount of cunning or maliciousness can indefinitely prevent divine justice or the natural outworking of their destructive choices.

Proverbs 6 15 Word analysis

• "Therefore" (עַל־כֵּן - ‘al-ken): Signifies a direct consequence. It introduces the inescapable outcome of the actions described in the preceding verses (Prov 6:12-14), indicating a certain, not merely potential, result.

• "his calamity" (אֵידוֹ - êydô): From the Hebrew אֵיד (eyd), meaning "disaster," "destruction," or "ruin." It denotes an overwhelming personal catastrophe, often divinely ordained or an inevitable result of one's own doing, implying something catastrophic beyond human control to avert.

• "shall come" (יָבוֹא - yābhô’): A strong verb in the future tense, conveying certainty and inevitability. The calamity is not just a possibility, but a destined occurrence.

• "suddenly" (פִּתְאֹם - pitʾom): Means "unexpectedly," "abruptly," or "without warning." This highlights that the wicked, who often feel secure or above consequence, will be caught completely off guard by their downfall, having no time to prepare or escape.

• "instantly" (רֶגַע - regaʿ): Refers to "a moment," "a twinkling of an eye," or "very quickly." This intensifies "suddenly," emphasizing the extreme swiftness and brevity of the destructive event. There is no drawn-out decline, but a rapid, immediate collapse.

• "he shall be broken" (יִשָּׁבֵר - yishshaber): From the Hebrew שָׁבַר (shābhar), meaning "to break," "shatter," or "crush." This imagery conveys utter demolition, implying irreparable damage, like a pottery vessel smashed beyond mending, or a structure collapsing completely. It signifies a total ruin, where the individual's schemes, power, and perhaps even spirit, are utterly incapacitated.

• "and there will be no remedy" (וְאֵין מַרְפֵּא - v’ein marpeʾ): Literally "and no healing" or "no cure." This signifies finality. The destruction is not temporary or recoverable. There is no fixing what is broken, no means of recovery, no one to mend the shattered pieces. It suggests a state of absolute ruin from which there is no escape or restoration, a definitive end to their reign of wickedness.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "his calamity shall come suddenly": This phrase underscores the unexpected and inevitable nature of divine judgment or the ultimate consequence of chronic wickedness. It contrasts with the wicked person's self-assuredness, as they are often depicted as planning carefully while believing themselves exempt from consequences.
  • "instantly he shall be broken": This powerfully reinforces the suddenness and complete nature of the ruin. The wicked individual, having woven a web of deceit and malice, will find that their entire fabricated reality collapses upon them with breathtaking speed and devastating completeness.
  • "and there will be no remedy": This final clause highlights the irreversible and definitive nature of the judgment. There is no coming back from this state; no external help or internal capacity will suffice for recovery. This indicates both the depth of the ruin and the end of any opportunity for repentance or change, a point of no return for a life committed to persistent evil.

Proverbs 6 15 Bonus section

The abruptness implied by "suddenly" and "instantly" can also refer to the way hidden sins become exposed, causing immediate and irreparable damage to one's reputation and standing within a community. The wicked person's carefully constructed facade or influence unravels in an instant once their true character is revealed or their schemes collapse. The proverb also touches on the principle that the destructive forces sown by the wicked, such as deceit and discord, will eventually boomerang back upon them, shattering their own foundations. The "no remedy" clause reinforces the idea of cumulative hardening; continued rejection of correction leads to a final, sealed fate, implying that opportunities for change diminish until they disappear entirely. This finality can be a divine judgment, a societal rejection, or the natural self-destruction inherent in sustained evil.

Proverbs 6 15 Commentary

Proverbs 6:15 offers a stark warning about the ultimate fate of those characterized by malicious and divisive behavior, as described in the preceding verses. The cumulative effect of a life dedicated to devious plotting, sowing discord, and perverse communication is catastrophic ruin. This calamity is described as striking "suddenly" and "instantly," suggesting that despite the wicked person's apparent present success or careful machinations, their downfall will be unforeseen and rapid, like a building that appears sturdy until it collapses without warning.

The phrase "he shall be broken" paints a picture of utter destruction, a shattering so complete that the individual is rendered powerless and helpless. This isn't just a setback, but a profound and total incapacitation, affecting their plans, reputation, and perhaps even their physical well-being. The final declaration, "and there will be no remedy," emphasizes the irreversibility of this judgment. It signifies a point beyond repair, a state where all possibilities of healing, recovery, or escape are foreclosed. This highlights the severe and final consequence for those who consistently harden their hearts against wisdom and righteousness.

This proverb serves as both a warning to the wicked and an assurance to the righteous. It reassures believers that even when wickedness appears to prosper, a day of reckoning will surely come, marked by swift and absolute justice. Practically, it underscores that repeated rejection of truth and continued pursuit of malicious acts hardens the heart to a point where grace, repentance, and recovery become impossible, leading to a self-inflicted but divinely appointed judgment from which there is no return.