Proverbs 24:21-22
My son, fear the LORD and the king, and do not join with those who do otherwise, for disaster will arise suddenly from them, and who knows the ruin that will come from them both?
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The verse places honoring God before the king, showing that our ultimate allegiance is to the Divine, not earthly rulers. It warns against associating with "changers," which isn't just about political rebels, but anyone unstable in their commitment to God's ways or who introduces disruptive "new things" into doctrine and practice.
This passage is part of a larger section within Proverbs offering wisdom for living a righteous life, often framed as advice from a father to his son. It comes right after warnings against laziness and injustice, and it's immediately followed by a reminder that sudden disaster awaits those who disregard both God and human authority. The context emphasizes the importance of respecting established order, both divine and earthly.
We're told to 'fear the LORD and the king.' But what happens when those two loyalties seem to clash? This verse offers a clear hierarchy.
The proverb instructs us to 'fear the LORD and the king.' This isn't just about being scared; 'fear' here means deep respect, reverence, and a desire to honor and obey.
God's Supreme Authority
Crucially, God is mentioned first. This establishes that our ultimate allegiance is to the LORD. Any obedience to earthly rulers is subordinate to our obedience to God. If a king commands something contrary to God's clear commands, our duty is to obey God. This principle is foundational to understanding our responsibilities.
The King's God-Given Role
The king, as God's representative or vicegerent on earth, is to be respected and obeyed within his God-ordained sphere. This ensures stability in society. The wisdom here is to give to each their due: divine honor to God, and civil respect and obedience to the king.
The verse warns us not to 'meddle' with a certain kind of person. Who are these 'changelings,' and why should we steer clear?
The instruction to 'meddle not with them that are given to change' is a strong caution against associating with those who are unstable and rebellious.
Who Are the 'Changelings'?
The original Hebrew suggests 'changers,' 'changeable persons,' or even 'those who think differently.' These are individuals who are:
Understand the original words
yara' · Hebrew Verb/Noun
The reverent, awe-filled submission to God's authority and character. It involves honoring God as the supreme Sovereign and living in accordance with His commands.
'eyd · Hebrew Noun
A state of sudden, unforeseen calamity or catastrophic destruction, often used in Proverbs to describe the consequences of wickedness or folly.
piyd · Hebrew Noun
Sudden destruction, overthrow, or downfall. It refers to the collapse of one's life, security, or future, often as a result of divine judgment or sinful patterns.
This passage highlights the gravity of rebellion against God's appointed authority, equating stubbornness and rejecting the word of the LORD with the sin of idolatry and witchcraft, which aligns with the warning against 'those given to change'.
Romans 13:1-7Paul clearly states that all governing authorities are established by God, and resisting them is resisting God's ordinance, directly reinforcing the 'fear the king' aspect of Proverbs 24:21.
1 Peter 2:17Peter echoes the sentiment by commanding believers to 'Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor,' presenting a parallel command to honor both God and earthly rulers.
Jeremiah 2:11This verse describes a people who have 'exchanged their glory for what is no advantage,' painting a picture of those who abandon true worship for lesser things, similar to the 'changers' who abandon steadfast obedience.
Ecclesiastes 8:2This passage advises keeping 'the king's command' and acting 'with an oath of God,' underscoring the seriousness of oaths and loyalty to the king as a commitment before God, which contrasts sharply with those 'given to change'.
pooleProverbs 24:21: "My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:"
Fear thou the Lord and the king; honour and obey both God and the king, and all in authority. He puts God before the king, because God is to be served in the first place, and our obedience is to be giver, to kings only in subordination to God, and not in those things which are contrary to the will and command of God, as is manifest both from plain Scripture, as Acts 5:29 , and from the…
bensonProverbs 24:21: "My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:"
Proverbs 24:21-22 . My son, fear thou the Lord and the king — Honour and obey both God and the king, and all in authority. He properly puts God before the king, because God is to be served in the first place, and our obedience is to be paid to kings only in subordination to God, and not in those things which are contrary to God’s will and command; and meddle not with them that are given…
The verse places honoring God before the king, showing that our ultimate allegiance is to the Divine, not earthly rulers. It warns against associating with "changers," which isn't just about political rebels, but anyone unstable in their commitment to God's ways or who introduces disruptive "new things" into doctrine and practice.
This passage is part of a larger section within Proverbs offering wisdom for living a righteous life, often framed as advice from a father to his son. It comes right after warnings against laziness and injustice, and it's immediately followed by a reminder that sudden disaster awaits those who disregard both God and human authority. The context emphasizes the importance of respecting established order, both divine and earthly.
This passage is part of a larger section within Proverbs offering wisdom for living a righteous life, often framed as advice from a father to his son. It comes right after warnings against laziness and injustice, and it's immediately followed by a reminder that sudden disaster awaits those who disregard both God and human authority. The context emphasizes the importance of respecting established order, both divine and earthly.
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 24:21-22 is available in the Sola app.
The Danger of Association
Proverbs warns us not to 'mingle' or 'mix' with such people. This implies avoiding their society, their counsels, and their practices. Associating with them risks being drawn into their dangerous schemes, their sudden downfall, and their ultimate ruin.
"My son, fear the LORD and the king, and do not join with those who do otherwise, for disaster will arise suddenly from them, and who knows the ruin that will come from them both?" — The verse places honoring God before the king, showing that our ultimate allegiance is to the Divine, not earthly rulers. It warns against associating with "changers," which isn't just about politi…
