A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Proverbs 16:27
What does Proverbs 16:27 mean?
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Proverbs 16:27
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What's striking here is the imagery of "digging up" evil. It's not just a fleeting bad thought, but an active, industrious pursuit, like mining for treasure, but the "treasure" is mischief plotted against others. Then, his words aren't just spoken; they're a "scorching fire," capable of devastating everything they touch.
A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse is part of a larger section in Proverbs where the wisdom literature contrasts the ways of the righteous with the destructive nature of the wicked. Specifically, verses 27-30 focus on the "ungodly" or "worthless" man, detailing how his inner plots manifest in his harmful speech and actions that sow discord among others. It follows discussions on wisdom and the Lord's sovereignty, and immediately precedes descriptions of violence and contention.
This verse paints a picture of a person actively working to create harm. What does it mean to 'dig up' evil, and how is it different from digging for something valuable?
The phrase 'diggeth up evil' uses the imagery of mining or excavating. It suggests a deliberate, industrious effort to unearth and bring forth wickedness. This isn't accidental; it's a focused pursuit. An evil person labors to devise and execute harmful plans, much like someone digging for precious minerals, but their goal is to find and exploit mischief.
This contrasts sharply with seeking good. While good deeds might arise spontaneously or be reactive, plotting evil requires proactive effort and strategic planning. The imagery highlights the intentionality and deep-seated nature of their wicked endeavors.
The verse compares the speech of a worthless person to 'a scorching fire.' What makes words so destructive, and how do they spread like flames?
The second half of the verse dramatically illustrates the impact of such a person's words: 'and his speech is like a scorching fire.' This isn't just idle talk; it's speech that burns, injures, and destroys. Think of how fire can rapidly consume dry land, leaving devastation in its wake.
Words can spread lies, slander, and strife, igniting anger and division among people. They can scorch reputations, burn bridges between friends, and set entire communities ablaze with conflict. The destructive potential of malicious speech is immense, capable of causing deep and lasting wounds.
Understand the original words
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beliyya'al · Hebrew Noun
A person of no value or usefulness, often characterized by moral corruption, wickedness, and a lack of integrity or fear of God.
karah · Hebrew Verb
To devise, craft, or engineer schemes, often with malicious intent. In a biblical context, it frequently refers to the internal process of planning wickedness.
This passage echoes the imagery of Proverbs 16:27, describing the destructive power of the tongue as a small spark that can set a whole forest ablaze, highlighting the severe danger of uncontrolled speech.
Psalm 7:15This verse provides a direct parallel to the idea of 'digging up evil,' showing how those who plot harm often fall into their own traps, illustrating the self-destructive nature of wicked schemes.
Proverbs 26:20This verse warns about the dangers of gossip and slander, which aligns with the 'scorching fire' of speech mentioned in Proverbs 16:27, emphasizing how malicious words can spread and cause division.
Matthew 12:36Jesus' teaching here connects our words directly to the state of our hearts, suggesting that the 'burning fire' speech of the worthless man stems from an inner corruption, urging us to guard our speech as a reflection of our true selves.
bensonProverbs 16:27: "An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire."
Proverbs 16:27-28 . An ungodly man diggeth up evil — Invents or designs mischief to others, and prosecutes his evil designs with great and constant industry; in his lips is as a burning coal — As his thoughts, so also his words, are very vexatious and pernicious; his tongue is set on fire of hell, and sets himself and others on fire, by lies, slanders, and other provoking speeches. A froward man — Or p…
pulpitProverbs 16:27: "An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire."
Verse 27. - This and the three following verses are concerned with the case of the evil man. An ungodly man - a man of Belial - diggeth up evil. A man of Belial (Proverbs 6:12) is a worthless, wicked person, what the French call a vaurien. Such a one digs a pit for others (Proverbs 26:27; Psalm 7:15), devises mischief against his neighbour, plots against him by lying and slandering and overreaching. Wo…
What's striking here is the imagery of "digging up" evil. It's not just a fleeting bad thought, but an active, industrious pursuit, like mining for treasure, but the "treasure" is mischief plotted against others. Then, his words aren't just spoken; they're a "scorching fire," capable of devastating everything they touch.
This verse is part of a larger section in Proverbs where the wisdom literature contrasts the ways of the righteous with the destructive nature of the wicked. Specifically, verses 27-30 focus on the "ungodly" or "worthless" man, detailing how his inner plots manifest in his harmful speech and actions that sow discord among others. It follows discussions on wisdom and the Lord's sovereignty, and immediately precedes descriptions of violence and contention.
This verse is part of a larger section in Proverbs where the wisdom literature contrasts the ways of the righteous with the destructive nature of the wicked. Specifically, verses 27-30 focus on the "ungodly" or "worthless" man, detailing how his inner plots manifest in his harmful speech and actions that sow discord among others. It follows discussions on wisdom and the Lord's sovereignty, and immediately precedes descriptions of violence and contention.
"A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire." — What's striking here is the imagery of "digging up" evil. It's not just a fleeting bad thought, but an active, industrious pursuit, like mining for treasure, but the "treasure" is mischief plotted ag…
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Last reviewed October 2026