Proverbs 24:24

He that saith unto the wicked, Thou [art] righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him:

He that saith {H559} unto the wicked {H7563}, Thou art righteous {H6662}; him shall the people {H5971} curse {H5344}, nations {H3816} shall abhor {H2194} him:

He who tells the guilty, "You are innocent,"will be cursed by peoples, reviled by nations;

Whoever tells the guilty, “You are innocent”— peoples will curse him, and nations will denounce him;

He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous, Peoples shall curse him, nations shall abhor him;

Commentary

Proverbs 24:24 delivers a powerful warning about the severe societal consequences of perverting justice and truth. This verse emphasizes the profound disapproval that awaits anyone who declares the wicked to be righteous, highlighting the importance of moral clarity and integrity within a community.

Context

This proverb is found within a section of the book of Proverbs that deals with various aspects of wisdom, justice, and righteous living. It follows several verses that speak against envy of evildoers and encourage upright conduct. The overarching theme is the importance of maintaining a just society, where good is affirmed and evil is condemned, and the dire repercussions when these moral boundaries are blurred or ignored. The wisdom literature of Proverbs frequently addresses the practical outcomes of moral choices, both for individuals and the community.

Key Themes

  • Perversion of Justice: The core message is the condemnation of those who twist judgment, especially by excusing or endorsing wickedness. To call the wicked "righteous" is to undermine the very foundation of justice and moral order, leading to societal decay. This act is seen as an abomination, as echoed in Proverbs 17:15: "He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD."
  • Societal Condemnation: The verse explicitly states that "the people curse" and "nations shall abhor him." This signifies a widespread, deeply felt rejection and disgust from the community and even broader society. It speaks to the natural human desire for fairness and justice, and the public outcry when it is violated.
  • Moral Integrity: The proverb underscores the critical need for individuals, especially those in positions of influence, to uphold moral distinctions. It is essential to discern between right and wrong and to call things by their true names, rather than conceding to popular opinion or personal gain. This aligns with the lament in Isaiah 5:20: "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil..."

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "curse" is qalal (קָלַל), which means to treat lightly, despise, or bring contempt upon. The word for "abhor" is ta'av (תָּעַב), conveying a strong sense of detestation or being an abomination. These strong terms highlight the intensity of public disapproval and moral outrage against those who deliberately misrepresent truth and justice.

Practical Application

Proverbs 24:24 remains highly relevant today. It serves as a warning against:

  • Moral Relativism: The danger of blurring lines between right and wrong, or excusing harmful behavior.
  • Corruption in Leadership: Leaders, judges, and public figures who fail to condemn wickedness or, worse, justify it, face the severe disapproval of the people and undermine the trust in institutions.
  • Compromising Truth: In any sphere of life, from personal relationships to public discourse, there is a responsibility to speak truth and stand for righteousness, even when it is unpopular or challenging. Upholding truth is vital for the health of any community or nation.

This verse encourages us to maintain a clear moral compass and to advocate for justice, understanding that society's well-being depends on the clear distinction and appropriate response to both righteousness and wickedness.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • Proverbs 17:15

    ¶ He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both [are] abomination to the LORD.

  • Isaiah 5:23

    Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!

  • Proverbs 11:26

    ¶ He that withholdeth corn, the people shall curse him: but blessing [shall be] upon the head of him that selleth [it].

  • Proverbs 28:27

    ¶ He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.

  • Exodus 23:6

    Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause.

  • Exodus 23:7

    Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked.

  • Jeremiah 8:10

    Therefore will I give their wives unto others, [and] their fields to them that shall inherit [them]: for every one from the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness, from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.
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