King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause [some] to fall.
Complete Jewish Bible:
For they can't sleep if they haven't done evil, they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone fall.
Berean Standard Bible:
For they cannot sleep unless they do evil; they are deprived of slumber until they make someone fall.
American Standard Version:
For they sleep not, except they do evil; And their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
For they sleep{H3462} not, except they have done mischief{H7489}; and their sleep{H8142} is taken away{H1497}, unless they cause some to fall{H3782}{H3782}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Psalms 36:4
- He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way [that is] not good; he abhorreth not evil.
Micah 2:1
- ¶ Woe to them that devise iniquity, and work evil upon their beds! when the morning is light, they practise it, because it is in the power of their hand.
Isaiah 57:20
- But the wicked [are] like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.
Proverbs 1:16
- For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.
2 Peter 2:14
- Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:
Luke 22:66
- And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying,
John 18:28
- ¶ Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover.
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Commentary for Proverbs 4:16
Proverbs 4:16 is part of a larger section in the book of Proverbs, traditionally attributed to Solomon, the son of David and king of Israel. This verse falls within a passage where Solomon is giving advice to his son, warning him against the path of the wicked and urging him to choose the way of wisdom and righteousness instead.
The verse itself speaks to the restless nature of the wicked. It suggests that evil people are perpetually engaged in harmful activities, so much so that they can only find rest after they have succeeded in causing trouble or leading others astray. The implication is that their consciences are so seared by their deeds that they are unable to enjoy peaceful sleep unless they have perpetuated some form of mischief or injustice. This reflects a theme found throughout the wisdom literature of the Bible, which often contrasts the peaceful rest and security of the righteous with the tormented and tumultuous existence of the wicked.
Historically, the book of Proverbs is a collection of sayings that reflect the ancient Near Eastern wisdom tradition, which emphasized practical ethics and the importance of living a life of virtue. These teachings were meant to guide individuals in making wise choices that would lead to a prosperous and honorable life. Proverbs 4:16, therefore, serves as a cautionary note within this tradition, highlighting the negative consequences of wicked behavior and the destructive lifestyle of those who reject wisdom and moral integrity. It encourages the reader to pursue a life that is honorable and free from the guilt and unrest that accompany wrongdoing.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H3462
There are 19 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָשֵׁן
Transliteration: yâshên
Pronunciation: yaw-shane'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to be slack or languid, i.e. (by implication) sleep (figuratively, to die); also to grow old, stale or inveterate; old (store), remain long, (make to) sleep. - Strong's Number: H7489
There are 80 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָעַע
Transliteration: râʻaʻ
Pronunciation: raw-ah'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good fornothing, i.e. bad (physically, socially or morally); afflict, associate selves (by mistake for רָעָה), break (down, in pieces), [phrase] displease, (be, bring, do) evil (doer, entreat, man), show self friendly (by mistake for רָעָה), do harm, (do) hurt, (behave self, deal) ill, [idiom] indeed, do mischief, punish, still, vex, (do) wicked (doer, -ly), be (deal, do) worse. - Strong's Number: H8142
There are 23 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֵׁנָה
Transliteration: shênâh
Pronunciation: shay-naw'
Description: or שֵׁנָא; (Psalm 127:2), from יָשֵׁן; sleep; sleep. - Strong's Number: H1497
There are 30 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גָּזַל
Transliteration: gâzal
Pronunciation: gaw-zal'
Description: a primitive root; to pluck off; specifically to flay, strip or rob; catch, consume, exercise (robbery), pluck (off), rob, spoil, take away (by force, violence), tear. - Strong's Number: H3782
There are 59 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כָּשַׁל
Transliteration: kâshal
Pronunciation: kaw-shal'
Description: a primitive root; to totter or waver (through weakness of the legs, especially the ankle); by implication, to falter, stumble, faint or fall; bereave (from the margin), cast down, be decayed, (cause to) fail, (cause, make to) fall (down, -ing), feeble, be (the) ruin(-ed, of), (be) overthrown, (cause to) stumble, [idiom] utterly, be weak.