Proverbs 24:17
Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles,
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse warns against taking pleasure when an enemy falls into mischief or stumbles into trouble, not just utter destruction. This highlights that our hearts should remain tender even toward those who oppose us, reflecting a deeper ethic than simply avoiding outward revenge.
This verse appears in a section of Proverbs (chapters 22-24) that offers wisdom for righteous living, contrasting it with the ways of the foolish and wicked. It immediately follows a warning about the righteous person falling into trouble but rising again, urging readers not to gloat when their adversaries suffer misfortune, whether it's a stumble or a complete fall. This caution anticipates further counsel on not envying the wicked or seeking revenge, underscoring a consistent theme of love and mercy even towards enemies.
Ever felt a secret thrill when someone who wronged you messes up? This verse calls out that feeling, urging us to check our inner landscape.
Proverbs 24:17 is a direct challenge to our natural, often vindictive, impulses. It's not just about acting kindly, but about cultivating a heart that desires good, or at least doesn't delight in evil, even towards an enemy.
What happens when we do find joy in an enemy's downfall? This verse warns that such a stance can have serious consequences.
This proverb isn't just a suggestion; it's a caution. Taking pleasure in the misfortunes of others, even those who have wronged us, can invite divine displeasure.
Understand the original words
oyeb · Hebrew Noun
An adversary or opponent. Biblical teaching emphasizes loving one's enemy and avoiding vindictiveness, recognizing that ultimate justice belongs to God.
leb · Hebrew Noun
The seat of the intellect, will, and emotions in biblical anthropology; the center of a person's moral life and decision-making.
This passage directly echoes the sentiment in Proverbs, showing that the command to love and help one's enemy wasn't just a New Testament idea but was present in the Old Testament law.
Luke 6:35Jesus elevates this principle in the New Testament, commanding us to 'love your enemies and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return,' reinforcing the idea that our disposition towards adversaries should be one of blessing, not malice.
Romans 12:17Paul directly addresses this, urging believers 'Repay no one evil for evil,' and 'if possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.' This highlights that our response to an enemy's downfall should be grace, not glee.
Matthew 5:44Jesus's teaching to 'love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you' provides the ultimate motivation and example for not rejoicing in an enemy's misfortune, showing that our Heavenly Father demonstrates this love universally.
Proverbs 25:21This verse offers a powerful reason why we shouldn't rejoice in an enemy's fall: 'If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.' This demonstrates that love, not vindictiveness, is the path that truly brings about God's justice and reward.
pooleProverbs 24:17: "Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:"
Falleth, to wit, into mischief, as in the former verse. Please not thyself in his destruction; which plainly shows that the love of our enemies is a precept of the old law as well as of the gospel. See Exodus 23:4,5 .
jfbProverbs 24:17: "Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:"
17, 18. Yet let none rejoice over the fate of evildoers, lest God punish their wrong spirit by relieving the sufferer (compare Pr 17:5; Job 31:29).
The verse warns against taking pleasure when an enemy falls into mischief or stumbles into trouble, not just utter destruction. This highlights that our hearts should remain tender even toward those who oppose us, reflecting a deeper ethic than simply avoiding outward revenge.
This verse appears in a section of Proverbs (chapters 22-24) that offers wisdom for righteous living, contrasting it with the ways of the foolish and wicked. It immediately follows a warning about the righteous person falling into trouble but rising again, urging readers not to gloat when their adversaries suffer misfortune, whether it's a stumble or a complete fall. This caution anticipates further counsel on not envying the wicked or seeking revenge, underscoring a consistent theme of love and mercy even towards enemies.
This verse appears in a section of Proverbs (chapters 22-24) that offers wisdom for righteous living, contrasting it with the ways of the foolish and wicked. It immediately follows a warning about the righteous person falling into trouble but rising again, urging readers not to gloat when their adversaries suffer misfortune, whether it's a stumble or a complete fall. This caution anticipates further counsel on not envying the wicked or seeking revenge, underscoring a consistent theme of love and mercy even towards enemies.
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"Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles," — The verse warns against taking pleasure when an enemy falls into mischief or stumbles into trouble, not just utter destruction. This highlights that our hearts should remain tender even toward th…
