Proverbs 10:24
What the wicked dreads will come upon him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The verse highlights that the wicked's fear often becomes their reality, sometimes even because of the very actions they take to avoid it. In contrast, the righteous don't just get their desires met; they receive what aligns with God's will, which is often far better than what they could imagine.
This verse sits in the midst of Proverbs' exploration of the stark contrast between the righteous and the wicked. It follows verses that describe the wicked person's boastfulness and the righteous person's quiet confidence, setting up this proverb as a direct statement about the ultimate outcomes of their distinct paths. The immediate continuation will further elaborate on the fleeting nature of the wicked's prosperity compared to the enduring security of the righteous.
Ever felt like your worst nightmares are coming true? This verse reveals a stark contrast between the fears of the wicked and the desires of the righteous.
The wicked are consumed by dread. What they fear most—judgment, ruin, separation from God—often becomes their reality. It's not always a direct cause-and-effect, but sometimes the very actions taken to avoid their fears ironically lead them right into them. Think of historical examples where attempts to prevent disaster only brought it about more swiftly.
While the wicked are crushed by their fears, the righteous experience something entirely different. What fuels their hope, and how is it granted?
The second half of the verse offers a beautiful contrast: 'but the desire of the righteous will be granted.' This isn't about a wish list for material possessions. It's about desires that align with God's heart.
Understand the original words
rasha · Hebrew Noun/Adjective
A person who actively opposes God, rejects His moral order, and persists in sinful rebellion. They are contrasted throughout Scripture with the righteous.
megowrah · Hebrew Noun
A term suggesting fear, terror, or intense anxiety regarding impending judgment or consequences. It represents the psychological and spiritual result of a life lived in rebellion against God.
ta'avah · Hebrew Noun
The inner longing or petition of the heart. For the righteous, it refers to desires that are aligned with God's will and purpose.
This passage echoes the idea that God will bring upon the wicked the very things they dread and fear, highlighting a divine justice that ensures their fearful outcomes.
Matthew 6:33Jesus directs us to seek first God's kingdom and righteousness, implying that when our desires are aligned with God's will, they are indeed the desires that will be granted.
Romans 8:27This verse explains that the Holy Spirit intercedes for believers according to God's will, connecting to the idea that the desires of the righteous are understood and granted by God because they align with His purposes.
Hebrews 10:27This passage speaks of a fearsome judgment awaiting those who reject Christ, aligning with the concept that the wicked will face the dreadful consequences they have earned and feared.
1 Peter 3:11-12This text calls believers to turn from evil and do good, seeking peace and pursuing it, which speaks to the righteous desires that God hears and responds to.
bensonProverbs 10:24: "The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted."
Proverbs 10:24-25 . The fear of the wicked — The evil which he feared, or hath cause to fear; it shall come upon him — Notwithstanding his cunning contrivances, and various efforts to prevent it. Indeed “wicked men frequently draw upon themselves what they feared, by the very means whereby they studied to avoid it; a remarkable example whereof, Bochart observes, we have in the bui…
ellicottProverbs 10:24: "The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted."
(24) The fear of the wicked— i.e. , that of which he is afraid. (Comp. Isaiah 66:4 ; Hebrews 10:27 .) The desire of the righteous shall be granted.—For they submit their will to the will of God, and pray for what He sees best for them, which accordingly He grants; moreover, the Holy Spirit also aids them, making intercession for them “according to the will of God” (Romans 8:27).
The verse highlights that the wicked's fear often becomes their reality, sometimes even because of the very actions they take to avoid it. In contrast, the righteous don't just get their desires met; they receive what aligns with God's will, which is often far better than what they could imagine.
This verse sits in the midst of Proverbs' exploration of the stark contrast between the righteous and the wicked. It follows verses that describe the wicked person's boastfulness and the righteous person's quiet confidence, setting up this proverb as a direct statement about the ultimate outcomes of their distinct paths. The immediate continuation will further elaborate on the fleeting nature of the wicked's prosperity compared to the enduring security of the righteous.
This verse sits in the midst of Proverbs' exploration of the stark contrast between the righteous and the wicked. It follows verses that describe the wicked person's boastfulness and the righteous person's quiet confidence, setting up this proverb as a direct statement about the ultimate outcomes of their distinct paths. The immediate continuation will further elaborate on the fleeting nature of the wicked's prosperity compared to the enduring security of the righteous.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Proverbs 10:24 is available in the Sola app.
"What the wicked dreads will come upon him, but the desire of the righteous will be granted." — The verse highlights that the wicked's fear often becomes their reality, sometimes even because of the very actions they take to avoid it. In contrast, the righteous don't just get their desires met;…
