Proverbs 24:15-16
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This verse isn't just about avoiding overt violence; it's also a stark warning against subtle, hidden schemes. The original Hebrew implies not just waiting outside someone's home, but also seeking out their vulnerabilities or hidden "ungodliness" to exploit for personal gain. It calls us to respect the sanctity of another's secure space, whether physical or spiritual, by refusing to plot their downfall.
Lie not in wait as a wicked man against the dwelling of the righteous; do no violence to his home; for the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This proverb is part of a larger section in Proverbs that contrasts the ways of the wicked with the ways of the righteous. Immediately before this, the text warns against speaking ill of a righteous person and highlights how the righteous, though they may stumble, will ultimately endure. This verse then directly addresses the wicked, urging them not to scheme or use violence against the home and peace of a godly individual.
Ever feel like there are hidden dangers lurking, waiting for you to stumble? This verse exposes two ways the wicked try to harm the righteous.
This proverb warns against two specific actions taken by the wicked against the righteous:
Who exactly is this 'righteous' person being protected? And what does their 'dwelling' represent?
The verse speaks of the 'dwelling of the righteous' and his 'resting place.' This isn't just about a physical house.
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The wicked plot, but what's the ultimate outcome? This proverb offers a critical counterpoint to the schemes of evil.
While Proverbs 24:15 warns against the wicked's actions, the broader context (especially verse 16) reveals God's perspective and protection over the righteous.
Understand the original words
rasha · Hebrew Adjective
Refers to one who is morally guilty, deviant from God's standard, or hostile toward God and His people. It characterizes those who act in defiance of divine law.
tsaddiq · Hebrew Adjective
One who is in a right relationship with God, characterized by integrity, obedience, and moral uprightness in accordance with His revealed will.
chamas · Hebrew Noun
The exercise of physical force or coercive power to cause injury, damage, or injustice. It is consistently condemned in Scripture as contrary to the nature of God and the treatment of one's neighbor.
tsaddiq · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
A person who is declared right with God and lives in accordance with His moral standards; one who is justified by faith and walks in obedience to His law.
naphal · Hebrew Verb
To fall down, fail, or collapse; in a moral sense, it refers to committing sin or experiencing a setback, yet here it contrasts with the ultimate fate of the wicked.
rasha · Hebrew Noun/Adjective
The state or character of one who is morally guilty, rebellious against God, and lacking in divine wisdom. They are contrasted with the righteous and are ultimately destined for judgment.
ra'ah · Hebrew Noun
A state of disaster, misfortune, or distress; it represents the judgment or difficult circumstances that often befall those who turn away from God.
This Psalm echoes Proverbs' concern for the righteous, stating, 'Though he stumble, he is not utterly thrown down, for the Lord upholds his hand.' It highlights that even when the righteous fall into hardship, divine support ensures they won't be permanently defeated, mirroring Proverbs' assurance against the wicked's plots.
Matthew 7:12Jesus' 'Golden Rule' directly relates to the ethical principle here. By commanding us to 'do to others what you would have them do to you,' Jesus encapsulates the idea that plotting against or harming the righteous in their homes is a violation of this fundamental command, urging reciprocal kindness and protection.
Luke 10:30-37The parable of the Good Samaritan offers a powerful contrast to the wicked man described in Proverbs. While the wicked plot against the righteous, the Samaritan actively cares for a victim, demonstrating true righteousness through compassion and practical help, even towards someone from a different background.
1 Samuel 19:11This passage provides a historical example of wicked men lying in wait against the dwelling of the righteous, specifically Saul sending assassins to David's house to kill him. It illustrates the very kind of dangerous plotting that Proverbs warns against, showing the real-world consequences of such malicious intent.
James 4:11-12James speaks directly to the danger of slandering or judging others, which can be a form of 'lying in wait' or subtle violence against their reputation and peace. He firmly states that there is only one lawgiver and judge, reminding us that such actions usurp God's authority and are therefore unacceptable.
pooleProverbs 24:15: "Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place:"
Lay not wait; do him no injury, either by subtle and secret devices, or, as it follows, by manifest violence. Against the dwelling of the righteous; against his person, or family, or possession.
bensonProverbs 24:15: "Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place:"
Proverbs 24:15-16 . Lay not wait, &c., against the dwelling of the righteous — Against his person, or family, or possessions. Do him no injury, either by subtle and secret devices, or, as it follows, by manifest violence. For a just man falleth — Into calamities, of which he evidently speaks both in the foregoing verse, and in the opposite and following branch of this verse; and in…
This verse isn't just about avoiding overt violence; it's also a stark warning against subtle, hidden schemes. The original Hebrew implies not just waiting outside someone's home, but also seeking out their vulnerabilities or hidden "ungodliness" to exploit for personal gain. It calls us to respect the sanctity of another's secure space, whether physical or spiritual, by refusing to plot their downfall.
This proverb is part of a larger section in Proverbs that contrasts the ways of the wicked with the ways of the righteous. Immediately before this, the text warns against speaking ill of a righteous person and highlights how the righteous, though they may stumble, will ultimately endure. This verse then directly addresses the wicked, urging them not to scheme or use violence against the home and peace of a godly individual.
This proverb is part of a larger section in Proverbs that contrasts the ways of the wicked with the ways of the righteous. Immediately before this, the text warns against speaking ill of a righteous person and highlights how the righteous, though they may stumble, will ultimately endure. This verse then directly addresses the wicked, urging them not to scheme or use violence against the home and peace of a godly individual.
"Lie not in wait as a wicked man against the dwelling of the righteous; do no violence to his home; for the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity." — This verse isn't just about avoiding overt violence; it's also a stark warning against subtle, hidden schemes. The original Hebrew implies not just waiting outside someone's home, but also *seeking o…
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Last reviewed October 2026
