Proverbs 16:27
A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.
English Standard Version (ESV)
All verses
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Proverbs 16:27
A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The phrase "diggeth up evil" isn't just about plotting, but describes a deep, industrious digging, as if excavating something valuable for themselves. Their words are compared to a "scorching fire," not just hurtful but capable of utterly withering and destroying everything they touch.
This verse appears in a section where Solomon is contrasting the ways of the wicked with the ways of the righteous. He's just spoken about how the Lord detests those who plot evil and sow discord, and here he elaborates on the active, destructive nature of such a person, highlighting their harmful words as the immediate follow-up to their malicious plans.
Ever wonder why some people seem to constantly stir up trouble? This verse gives us a clue.
The Bible calls this kind of person 'worthless' (or 'ungodly'). It's not just that they do bad things, but they work at it. The imagery of 'digging up evil' suggests a deep, persistent, and often hidden effort. Think of someone digging a pit to trap an unsuspecting traveler, or mining for a hidden treasure, but instead of riches, they're unearthing schemes and mischief. This isn't accidental; it's a deliberate, industrious pursuit of malice.
Words can wound, but sometimes they feel like they leave literal burns. How does that happen?
The second part of the verse compares the worthless man's speech to a 'scorching fire.' This isn't just harsh talk; it's destructive. Fire can consume, destroy, and leave devastation in its wake. His words, like lies, slander, or hateful accusations, ignite conflict, burn reputations, and leave deep emotional scars. The imagery powerfully conveys the immediate and devastating impact of such speech, setting ablaze relationships and communities.
Understand the original words
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 directly parallels the verse's imagery of the tongue being a destructive force, calling it a fire set ablaze by hell, emphasizing the destructive potential of malicious speech.
Psalm 7:15This Psalm speaks of the wicked digging a pit for others and falling into it themselves, which aligns with the 'digging up evil' metaphor in Proverbs, suggesting a self-destructive nature to their plotting.
Proverbs 26:27This proverb warns that whoever digs a pit will fall into it, reinforcing the idea that the evil schemes plotted by worthless individuals often backfire on them.
Romans 3:13-14These verses describe the destructive nature of ungodly speech, detailing how their throats are like open graves and their tongues practice deceit, echoing the scorching fire described in Proverbs.
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…
The phrase "diggeth up evil" isn't just about plotting, but describes a deep, industrious digging, as if excavating something valuable for themselves. Their words are compared to a "scorching fire," not just hurtful but capable of utterly withering and destroying everything they touch.
This verse appears in a section where Solomon is contrasting the ways of the wicked with the ways of the righteous. He's just spoken about how the Lord detests those who plot evil and sow discord, and here he elaborates on the active, destructive nature of such a person, highlighting their harmful words as the immediate follow-up to their malicious plans.
This verse appears in a section where Solomon is contrasting the ways of the wicked with the ways of the righteous. He's just spoken about how the Lord detests those who plot evil and sow discord, and here he elaborates on the active, destructive nature of such a person, highlighting their harmful words as the immediate follow-up to their malicious plans.
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 16:27 is available in the Sola app.
"A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire." — The phrase "diggeth up evil" isn't just about plotting, but describes a deep, industrious digging, as if excavating something valuable for themselves. Their words are compared to a "scorching fire,"…