TRV
Study This Verse
Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers Proverbs 17:13.
A malicious mischievous man is here represented, 1. As ungrateful to his friends. He oftentimes is so absurd and insensible of kindnesses done him that he renders evil for good. David met with those that were his adversaries for his love, Psa 109:4. To render evil for evil is brutish, but to render evil for good is devilish. He is an ill-natured man who, because he is resolved not to return a kindness, will revenge it. 2. As therein unkind to his family, for he entails a curse upon it. This is a crime so heinous that it shall be punished, not only in his person, but in his posterity, for whom he thus treasures up wrath. The sword shall not depart from David's house because he rewarded Uriah with evil for his good services. The Jews stoned Christ for his good works; therefore is his blood upon them and upon their children.
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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), the dangers inherent in perverse speech (Proverbs 17:4), the critical importance of impartial justice (Proverbs 17:15), 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. 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.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
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.
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.
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.
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
FAQ
What does "evil shall not depart from his house" mean in a practical sense?
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, 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). 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).