Proverbs 24:20
for the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be put out.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Proverbs 24:20
for the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be put out.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The Hebrew word translated as "future" here actually means "end" or "outcome." So, it's not just that the wicked won't have a good future, but that their entire story, their "end," is definitively and ultimately cut short, unlike the enduring hope of the righteous.
This verse comes right after a section urging the reader not to envy the wicked, even when they seem to prosper. The proverb argues that this apparent success is temporary and deceptive, ultimately leading to ruin. The focus is on the grim end awaiting those who actively pursue evil, contrasting sharply with the hope and secure future promised to the righteous.
Ever wonder if the wicked really 'get away with it'? This verse offers a stark contrast to their fleeting success.
The phrase translated 'no reward' here literally means 'no future.' It's not just about earthly outcomes but a definitive lack of a positive, lasting state. While the wicked might enjoy temporary prosperity or pleasure, their ultimate destiny is devoid of God's blessing and favor. Their 'future' is cut off, meaning they have no part in the enduring joy and peace that the righteous possess.
What does it mean for the 'lamp of the wicked' to be put out? It's a powerful image of finality.
The 'lamp' or 'candle' symbolizes prosperity, glory, and even life itself. For the wicked, this light is not eternal. It will be 'put out,' meaning their success will cease, their reputation will fade, and their legacy will be cut short. This imagery doesn't necessarily imply annihilation, but rather the complete loss of all that they held dear and the end of any comfort or significance they experienced in this life, with no hope of it being restored.
Understand the original words
ner · Hebrew Noun
A metaphor for life, prosperity, vitality, or witness. Having one's lamp extinguished signifies the end of life, the loss of influence, or the termination of God's favor.
This passage speaks directly to the 'future' of the righteous versus the wicked, echoing Proverbs' message that the wicked's end is destruction, while the godly endure.
Job 18:5-6This vivid description of the wicked man's extinguished lamp and fleeting prosperity directly parallels the imagery and meaning in Proverbs 24:20.
Ecclesiastes 8:10This verse addresses the same confusion we might feel when seeing the wicked prosper, reminding us that their 'reward' is often hidden from view, implying a future reckoning beyond what's immediately apparent.
Matthew 13:41-43Jesus' parable of the weeds illustrates the ultimate separation of the wicked from the righteous, showing that while they may mingle now, their 'lamp' will be extinguished in the final judgment.
pooleProverbs 24:20: "For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out."
There shall be no reward to the evil man; all his hopes and happiness shall quickly and eternally perish, and he shall have the share in those solid felicities and blessed recompences of a better life which thou shalt enjoy; therefore thou hast no reason to envy him. The candle of the wicked shall be put out; all their comfort and glory shall cease.
jfbProverbs 24:20: "For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out."
- candle—or, "prosperity"; it shall come to an end (Pr 13:9; 20:20).
The Hebrew word translated as "future" here actually means "end" or "outcome." So, it's not just that the wicked won't have a good future, but that their entire story, their "end," is definitively and ultimately cut short, unlike the enduring hope of the righteous.
This verse comes right after a section urging the reader not to envy the wicked, even when they seem to prosper. The proverb argues that this apparent success is temporary and deceptive, ultimately leading to ruin. The focus is on the grim end awaiting those who actively pursue evil, contrasting sharply with the hope and secure future promised to the righteous.
This verse comes right after a section urging the reader not to envy the wicked, even when they seem to prosper. The proverb argues that this apparent success is temporary and deceptive, ultimately leading to ruin. The focus is on the grim end awaiting those who actively pursue evil, contrasting sharply with the hope and secure future promised to the righteous.
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"for the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be put out." — The Hebrew word translated as "future" here actually means "end" or "outcome." So, it's not just that the wicked won't have a good future, but that their entire story, their "end," is definitively…