Proverbs 17:13

KJV

¶ Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.

KJV (with Strong's)

Whoso rewardeth {H7725} evil {H7451} for good {H2896}, evil {H7451} shall not depart {H4185}{H4185} from his house {H1004}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Evil will not depart from the house of him who returns evil for good.

Berean Standard Bible

If anyone returns evil for good, evil will never leave his house.

American Standard Version

Whoso rewardeth evil for good, Evil shall not depart from his house.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 17:13 issues a profound and somber warning regarding the severe consequences of ingratitude and malicious retaliation. It declares that any individual who repays kindness or benevolent acts with harm or evil will inevitably invite a persistent, pervasive, and inescapable state of calamity and distress into their life and, significantly, upon their entire household or lineage. This proverb underscores a fundamental principle of divine justice, illustrating that actions of deep moral perversion, particularly the betrayal of good with evil, carry far-reaching and enduring repercussions that extend beyond the individual to affect their entire family and legacy.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Proverbs 17:13 is embedded within a rich collection of wisdom sayings that collectively aim to instruct the reader in the ways of righteousness, justice, and discernment. The book of Proverbs frequently employs various forms of parallelism, often contrasting the paths and ultimate destinies of the wise and the foolish, the righteous and the wicked. Chapter 17, in particular, delves into themes such as the value of inner peace over conflict (as seen in [Proverbs 17:1](/proverbs/17-1 "Proverbs 17:1 - Better a Dry Morsel with Quietness")), the dangers inherent in perverse speech ([Proverbs 17:4](/proverbs/17-4 "Proverbs 17:4 - A Wicked Doer Gives Heed to False Lips")), the critical importance of impartial justice ([Proverbs 17:15](/proverbs/17-15 "Proverbs 17:15 - He Who Justifies the Wicked")), and the inherent folly of foolishness. Verse 13 stands out as a particularly stark warning against a specific and egregious moral failing: the perversion of reciprocity by returning evil for good. Its immediate textual neighbors often reinforce the chapter's overarching message about the gravity and far-reaching impact of one's moral choices, setting the stage for a deeper reflection on integrity and consequences.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Proverbs emerges from the wisdom tradition of ancient Israel, a society intricately woven into a covenant relationship with Yahweh. Within this cultural framework, reciprocal relationships—both within the nuclear and extended family, and across the broader community—were foundational to social cohesion and moral order. Acts of kindness, hospitality, mutual aid, and loyalty were not merely polite gestures but essential pillars of societal well-being. To repay good with evil was considered not just a personal slight but a profound violation of established social norms, a betrayal of trust, and a transgression against divine expectation. The concept of "house" (Hebrew: *bayith*) in ancient Israel was expansive, encompassing far more than a physical dwelling. It referred to the entire family unit, including descendants, reputation, legacy, and even economic standing. Consequently, the pronouncement that "evil shall not depart from his house" would have been understood as a severe and lasting curse, impacting not only the individual offender but their entire lineage and their standing within the community, potentially leading to generational misfortune or disgrace.
* **Key Themes:** Proverbs 17:13 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes prevalent throughout the wisdom literature of the Old Testament. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Justice and Retribution**, asserting that God's moral order is meticulously designed to ensure that wicked actions, particularly those characterized by profound ingratitude and betrayal, will not go unpunished. The consequence described is not merely temporal but enduring, demonstrating a spiritual principle of sowing and reaping, a concept further elaborated in passages like [Galatians 6:7](/galatians/6-7 "Galatians 6:7 - Sowing and Reaping"). Secondly, it underscores the theme of **Moral Integrity and Reciprocity**. The proverb defines a severe moral failing by contrasting it with the expected and righteous response to kindness, thereby championing the virtue of gratitude and warning against the profound corruption of character that leads one to repay benevolence with malice. Thirdly, it touches upon the **Pervasiveness of Sin's Consequences**, emphasizing that the impact of such a grievous sin extends beyond the individual, affecting their "house" or family, illustrating the communal and generational ripple effects of unrighteous behavior, a theme echoed throughout the Old Testament, such as in the warnings and blessings outlined in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses for Obedience and Disobedience").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Rewardeth (Hebrew, _shûwb'_):** This primitive root (H7725) signifies "to turn back" or "to return," encompassing actions of recompense, whether for good or ill. In this specific context, it denotes a deliberate act of repaying or requiting. The usage here implies a causative action—causing evil to return in place of good, highlighting a conscious and intentional act of perverted reciprocity.
* **Evil (Hebrew, _raʻ'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to break" or "to be bad," this term (H7451) refers to moral wickedness, calamity, or misfortune. Here, it describes both the nature of the repayment (malicious intent or action) and the resulting consequence (trouble, distress, or judgment). The repetition of "evil" in the proverb powerfully emphasizes its dual role as both the egregious offense and the inescapable punishment.
* **House (Hebrew, _bayith'_):** More than just a physical dwelling, _bayith_ (H1004) broadly encompasses family, household, lineage, and even one's entire sphere of influence or legacy. Its inclusion in the proverb emphasizes the pervasive and generational nature of the judgment, suggesting that the consequences of this moral failing will cling to the offender's entire sphere of life and potentially their descendants, affecting their reputation, prosperity, and peace.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Whoso rewardeth evil for good":** This opening clause precisely identifies the egregious offense being condemned: the deliberate and conscious act of repaying kindness, benevolence, or any positive action with harm, malice, or betrayal. It describes a profound perversion of natural justice and expected reciprocity, where a beneficial or gracious act is met with a negative, destructive, or ungrateful response. This is not presented as an accidental wrong or a mere oversight, but rather as a conscious choice to return ill for well, thereby demonstrating a deep moral corruption and a stark violation of trust.
* **"evil shall not depart from his house":** This second clause pronounces the severe, lasting, and inescapable consequence of the aforementioned act. The "evil" here refers to persistent calamity, misfortune, distress, or an enduring state of trouble and divine judgment. The phrase "shall not depart" (from the root _mûwsh_, H4185) emphasizes that this negative consequence will not merely be a temporary setback or a fleeting hardship, but will persistently cling to the offender's household, family, or entire sphere of life. It suggests a pervasive, enduring state of adversity or divine disfavor that becomes an inescapable and defining part of their existence and legacy, potentially affecting generations.

#### Literary Devices
Proverbs 17:13 primarily employs **Cause and Effect** to convey its solemn message, clearly linking the action of repaying good with evil to the inevitable and enduring consequence of persistent trouble. The proverb is structured as a straightforward conditional statement: if one commits this specific moral transgression, then a specific, severe outcome will follow. The strategic use of the word "evil" twice within the short verse creates a powerful **Repetition**, which serves to underscore both the nature of the offense and the nature of the punishment, establishing a stark and memorable connection between the two. The phrase "shall not depart from his house" functions as a form of **Hyperbole** or strong emphasis, suggesting an inescapable and enduring consequence that affects not just the individual but their entire sphere of influence, including their family and future generations. This also implies a degree of **Symbolism**, where "house" represents the totality of one's life, legacy, and lineage, indicating that the impact of such a sin is comprehensive and deeply ingrained.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This proverb deeply resonates with the overarching biblical principle of divine justice, where actions have commensurate and often inescapable consequences. It teaches that God's moral order is meticulously structured such that a profound perversion of reciprocity—specifically, repaying good with evil—invites a persistent and inescapable state of calamity and distress. This is not arbitrary punishment but rather a natural outflow of the spiritual law of sowing and reaping, where the seeds of malice, ingratitude, and betrayal yield a bitter and enduring harvest. It highlights the seriousness with which God views betrayal and the violation of trust, demonstrating that such fundamental moral failings have far-reaching implications that extend beyond immediate circumstances, impacting one's entire life and legacy.

* [Romans 12:17](/romans/12-17 "Romans 12:17 - Repay No One Evil for Evil")
* [1 Peter 3:9](/1_peter/3-9 "1 Peter 3:9 - Do Not Repay Evil for Evil or Reviling for Reviling")
* [Proverbs 20:22](/proverbs/20-22 "Proverbs 20:22 - Do Not Say, 'I Will Repay Evil'")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 17:13 serves as a profound ethical challenge and a sobering warning for all believers, calling us to a rigorous self-examination of our hearts and actions. It compels us to ensure that our responses to kindness, generosity, and benevolence are consistently marked by gratitude, integrity, and reciprocal goodness, never by malice, indifference, or betrayal. In a world where ingratitude is often prevalent and retaliation frequently feels justified, this proverb stands as a stark reminder that the path of repaying good with evil ultimately leads to self-inflicted and enduring suffering, not only for the individual but potentially for their entire lineage. It urges us to cultivate a spirit of profound thankfulness, to honor those who have blessed us, and to steadfastly resist the temptation to harbor resentment or seek vengeance. Furthermore, it highlights the ripple effect of our moral choices, urging us to consider how our actions impact not only ourselves but also our families, communities, and future generations. Living by this timeless wisdom means actively choosing to break cycles of negativity and instead to sow seeds of kindness, righteousness, and grace, trusting that God's perfect justice will ultimately prevail and that His ways lead to true flourishing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to repay good with indifference, resentment, or even harm, either overtly or subtly?**
* **How does this proverb challenge my understanding of divine justice and the long-term, generational consequences of my moral choices?**
* **What practical, intentional steps can I take to cultivate a heart of genuine gratitude and ensure my responses to others are consistently marked by integrity, kindness, and grace?**

### FAQ
**What does "evil shall not depart from his house" mean in a practical sense?**

Answer: In a practical sense, "evil shall not depart from his house" signifies that the pervasive and enduring consequences of repaying good with evil will cling not only to the individual offender but also to their entire family, lineage, and sphere of influence. This can manifest in various tangible ways, such as persistent misfortune, chronic discord and strife within the family, ongoing financial struggles, relational brokenness that seems to plague successive generations, or a general absence of peace, joy, and prosperity. It suggests a deep-seated trouble or divine disfavor that becomes an inescapable part of the family's narrative, potentially even across generations, as a direct and inescapable result of the initial moral transgression. It serves as a potent warning that such a profound moral failing invites a lasting and inescapable state of adversity and hardship.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 17:13 finds its ultimate and most profound Christ-centered fulfillment not in a direct prophecy, but in the perfect person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ, who stands in stark contrast to the proverb's warning. While the proverb condemns those who repay good with evil, Jesus perfectly embodies the divine principle of repaying evil with ultimate good. Humanity, in its fallen state, has consistently repaid God's boundless goodness, grace, and love with rebellion, sin, and outright rejection. Yet, rather than allowing evil to justly cling to our "house"—humanity's collective existence and destiny—God, in His infinite mercy, chose to bear that evil Himself. On the cross, Jesus, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), absorbed the full weight of humanity's sin and the curse it deserved, becoming sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - He Who Knew No Sin")). He did not repay our evil with the evil we deserved, but with the ultimate good of salvation, reconciliation, forgiveness, and eternal life. His unparalleled sacrifice breaks the cycle of evil and its generational consequences for all who believe, offering a pathway for the "evil" of sin and its destructive effects to truly depart from our "house" through His sovereign grace, thereby demonstrating the supreme love that ultimately overcomes evil with good ([Romans 12:21](/romans/12-21 "Romans 12:21 - Overcome Evil with Good")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 109:4

For my love they are my adversaries: but I [give myself unto] prayer.

Psalms 109:13

Let his posterity be cut off; [and] in the generation following let their name be blotted out.

Romans 12:17

Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

1 Peter 3:9

Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

Psalms 35:12

They rewarded me evil for good [to] the spoiling of my soul.

Psalms 55:12

For [it was] not an enemy [that] reproached me; then I could have borne [it]: neither [was it] he that hated me [that] did magnify [himself] against me; then I would have hid myself from him:

Psalms 55:15

Let death seize upon them, [and] let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness [is] in their dwellings, [and] among them.