Proverbs 21:16
Proverbs 21:16 in Multiple Translations
The man who strays from the path of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.
The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding Shall rest in the assembly of the dead.
The wanderer from the way of knowledge will have his resting-place among the shades.
Anyone who wanders away from the path of understanding ends up with the dead.
A man that wandreth out of the way of wisdome, shall remaine in the congregation of the dead.
A man who is wandering from the way of understanding, In an assembly of Rephaim resteth.
The man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.
The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
A man that shall wander out of the way of doctrine, shall abide in the company of the giants.
Those who stop behaving like those who have good sense behave will soon discover that they have gone to the place where dead people are.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 21:16
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Proverbs 21:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אָדָ֗ם
תּ֭וֹעֶה
מִ/דֶּ֣רֶךְ
הַשְׂכֵּ֑ל
בִּ/קְהַ֖ל
רְפָאִ֣ים
יָנֽוּחַ
אָדָ֗ם
ʼâdâm
H120
the man (Adam)
N-ms
תּ֭וֹעֶה
tâʻâh
H8582
to go astray
V-Qal
מִ/דֶּ֣רֶךְ
derek
H1870
way
Prep | N-cs
הַשְׂכֵּ֑ל
sâkal
H7919
be prudent
V-Hiphil-Ptc
בִּ/קְהַ֖ל
qâhâl
H6951
assembly
Prep | N-ms
רְפָאִ֣ים
râphâʼ
H7496
shade
N-mp
יָנֽוּחַ
nûwach
H5117
to rest
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 21:16
אָדָ֗ם
ʼâdâm
H120
"the man (Adam)"
N-ms
Adam was the first human, created by God and mentioned in Genesis 2:19, who married Eve and had sons including Cain, Abel, and Seth.
Definition: The first named man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.2.19; married to Eve (H2332); father of: Cain (H7014B), Abel (H1893) and Seth (H8352); also translated "man" at Gen.2.19,21,23; 3.8,9,20; 5.2; "mankind" at Deu.32.8; "others" at Job.31.33; Another spelling of a.dam (אָדָם "Adam" H0121) man, human being
Usage: Occurs in 526 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] another, [phrase] hypocrite, [phrase] common sort, [idiom] low, man (mean, of low degree), person. See also: Genesis 1:26; Judges 18:7; Psalms 8:5.
תּ֭וֹעֶה
tâʻâh
H8582
"to go astray"
V-Qal
This word means to go astray or wander, and can be used physically or morally. It can also mean to cause someone to err or stumble.
Definition: 1) to err, wander, go astray, stagger 1a) (Qal) to err 1a1) to wander about (physically) 1a2) of intoxication 1a3) of sin (ethically) 1a4) wandering (of the mind) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be made to wander about, be made to stagger (drunkard) 1b2) to be led astray (ethically) 1c) (Hiphil) to cause to wander 1c1) to cause to wander about (physically) 1c2) to cause to wander (of intoxication) 1c3) to cause to err, mislead (mentally and morally)
Usage: Occurs in 45 OT verses. KJV: (cause to) go astray, deceive, dissemble, (cause to, make to) err, pant, seduce, (make to) stagger, (cause to) wander, be out of the way. See also: Genesis 20:13; Isaiah 9:15; Psalms 58:4.
מִ/דֶּ֣רֶךְ
derek
H1870
"way"
Prep | N-cs
Derek refers to a road or path, and can also mean a way of life or manner of action. It is often used to describe a journey or direction, and can be used figuratively to describe a person's character or moral path.
Definition: : road/route 1) way, road, distance, journey, manner 1a) road, way, path 1b) journey 1c) direction 1d) manner, habit, way 1e) of course of life (fig.) 1f) of moral character (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 626 OT verses. KJV: along, away, because of, [phrase] by, conversation, custom, (east-) ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-) way(-side), whither(-soever). See also: Genesis 3:24; Deuteronomy 28:29; 1 Kings 15:34.
הַשְׂכֵּ֑ל
sâkal
H7919
"be prudent"
V-Hiphil-Ptc
To be circumspect means to be careful and thoughtful in your actions. In the Bible, this word is used to describe someone who is intelligent and prudent, like Solomon in 1 Kings 3:12.
Definition: 1) to be prudent, be circumspect, wisely understand, prosper 1a) (Qal) to be prudent, be circumspect 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to look at or upon, have insight 1b2) to give attention to, consider, ponder, be prudent 1b3) to have insight, have comprehension 1b3a) insight, comprehension (subst) 1b4) to cause to consider, give insight, teach 1b4a) the teachers, the wise 1b5) to act circumspectly, act prudently, act wisely 1b6) to prosper, have success 1b7) to cause to prosper Aramaic equivalent: se.khal (שְׂכַל "to contemplate" H7920)
Usage: Occurs in 63 OT verses. KJV: consider, expert, instruct, prosper, (deal) prudent(-ly), (give) skill(-ful), have good success, teach, (have, make to) understand(-ing), wisdom, (be, behave self, consider, make) wise(-ly), guide wittingly. See also: Genesis 3:6; Proverbs 1:3; Psalms 2:10.
בִּ/קְהַ֖ל
qâhâl
H6951
"assembly"
Prep | N-ms
A group of people gathered together, like the congregation in Solomon's temple or a crowd in the streets of Jerusalem.
Definition: 1) assembly, company, congregation, convocation 1a) assembly 1a1) for evil counsel, war or invasion, religious purposes 1b) company (of returning exiles) 1c) congregation 1c1) as organised body
Usage: Occurs in 116 OT verses. KJV: assembly, company, congregation, multitude. See also: Genesis 28:3; 2 Chronicles 28:14; Psalms 22:23.
רְפָאִ֣ים
râphâʼ
H7496
"shade"
N-mp
This word refers to the spirits of the dead, or ghosts, and is only used in the plural form, as seen in Isaiah 14:9.
Definition: ghosts of the dead, shades, spirits
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: dead, deceased. See also: Job 26:5; Proverbs 21:16; Psalms 88:11.
יָנֽוּחַ
nûwach
H5117
"to rest"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
To rest means to settle down and remain in one place, and can be used literally or figuratively. This verb appears in many parts of the Bible, including Exodus 20:11 and Matthew 11:28.
Definition: 1) to rest 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to rest, settle down and remain 1a2) to repose, have rest, be quiet 1b) (Hiph) 1b1) to cause to rest, give rest to, make quiet 1b2) to cause to rest, cause to alight, set down 1b3) to lay or set down, deposit, let lie, place 1b4) to let remain, leave 1b5) to leave, depart from 1b6) to abandon 1b7) to permit 1c) (Hoph) 1c1) to obtain rest, be granted rest 1c2) to be left, be placed 1c3) open space (subst) Also means: ya.nach (יָנַח "to rest" H3240)
Usage: Occurs in 67 OT verses. KJV: cease, be confederate, lay, let down, (be) quiet, remain, (cause to, be at, give, have, make to) rest, set down. Compare H3241 (יָנִים). See also: Genesis 8:4; Nehemiah 9:28; Psalms 125:3.
Study Notes — Proverbs 21:16
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 21:16 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 21:16
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 21:16
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 21:16
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 21:16
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 21:16
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 21:16
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 21:16
- Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 21:16
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 21:16
- Sermons on Proverbs 21:16
Context — The King’s Heart
14A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath.
15Justice executed is a joy to the righteous, but a terror to the workers of iniquity.
16The man who strays from the path of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.
17He who loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich. 18The wicked become a ransom for the righteous, and the faithless for the upright.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hebrews 10:38 | But My righteous one will live by faith; and if he shrinks back, I will take no pleasure in him.” |
| 2 | Psalms 125:5 | But those who turn to crooked ways the LORD will banish with the evildoers. Peace be upon Israel. |
| 3 | Psalms 49:14 | Like sheep they are destined for Sheol. Death will be their shepherd. The upright will rule them in the morning, and their form will decay in Sheol, far from their lofty abode. |
| 4 | 1 John 2:19 | They went out from us, but they did not belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us. But their departure made it clear that none of them belonged to us. |
| 5 | John 3:19–20 | And this is the verdict: The Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. |
| 6 | Hebrews 10:26–27 | If we deliberately go on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins remains, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume all adversaries. |
| 7 | Ephesians 2:1 | And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, |
| 8 | Zephaniah 1:6 | and those who turn back from following the LORD, neither seeking the LORD nor inquiring of Him.” |
| 9 | Proverbs 13:20 | He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed. |
| 10 | Jude 1:12 | These men are hidden reefs in your love feasts, shamelessly feasting with you but shepherding only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried along by the wind; fruitless trees in autumn, twice dead after being uprooted. |
Proverbs 21:16 Summary
Proverbs 21:16 teaches us that if we turn away from God's wisdom and ways, we will end up in a place of spiritual death and separation from Him, as described in Ephesians 2:1-3. This means that our daily choices and actions have consequences, and it's essential to seek wisdom and guidance from God's Word to stay on the right path, as encouraged in Psalm 119:105. By following God's ways and seeking wisdom, we can avoid the consequences of straying and instead experience life and joy in our relationship with Him, as promised in John 10:10. Remember, God's wisdom is available to us through His Word, and by seeking it, we can stay on the path of understanding and experience His blessings, as seen in Psalm 1:1-3.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to stray from the path of understanding in Proverbs 21:16?
To stray from the path of understanding means to turn away from wisdom and God's ways, as described in Proverbs 3:5-6, and instead follow one's own desires and inclinations, leading to spiritual death and separation from God, as seen in Ephesians 2:1-3.
Who are the assembly of the dead mentioned in Proverbs 21:16?
The assembly of the dead refers to those who have rejected God and are spiritually dead, as mentioned in Proverbs 21:16, and will ultimately face physical death and eternal separation from God, as described in Revelation 20:14-15.
How can we stay on the path of understanding and avoid straying?
We can stay on the path of understanding by seeking wisdom and guidance from God's Word, as encouraged in Psalm 119:105, and by walking in obedience to His commands, as taught in John 14:15.
Is Proverbs 21:16 speaking of physical death or spiritual death?
While physical death may be a consequence of straying from the path of understanding, the primary focus of Proverbs 21:16 is on spiritual death and separation from God, as seen in Isaiah 59:2 and Ephesians 4:18.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I may be straying from the path of understanding in my own life, and how can I get back on track?
- How does my daily choices and actions reflect my commitment to following God's ways and seeking wisdom?
- What are some potential consequences of straying from the path of understanding, and how can I avoid them?
- In what ways can I seek wisdom and guidance from God's Word to stay on the path of understanding?
- How can I help others who may be straying from the path of understanding, and what role can I play in pointing them to God's wisdom?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 21:16
The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding,.... The way of getting understanding, the good ways and word of God; that wanders from the house of God, the assembly of the saints, where the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 21:16
The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead. The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding (i:e., true religion; cf.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 21:16
The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding; that forsaketh the rule of God’ s word, and walketh after his own lusts; shall remain in the congregation of the dead; shall, without repentance, be condemned to eternal death or damnation.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 21:16
Proverbs 21:16 The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.Ver. 16. The man that wandereth out of the way.] Let him wander while he will that deviateth from the truth according to godliness - he cannot possibly wander so far as to miss hell. God hath sworn in his wrath that no such vagrants shall enter into his rest; nay, "This shall they have of my hand, they shall lie down in sorrow," they shall rest with Rephaims - if at least they can rest in that restless resting place of hell fire, in that congregation house of giants of Gehenna, where is punishment without pity, misery without mercy, sorrow without succour (help), crying without comfort, mischief without measure, torments without end and past imagination.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 21:16
(16) Shall remain in the congregation of the dead.—Described in Isaiah 14:9; he shall not take part in the resurrection of Isa 26:19. A prophecy of retribution after death.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 21:16
Verse 16. The man once enlightened, that wandereth out of the way of understanding, in which he had walked, shall remain - have a permanent residence - in the congregation of the dead; רפאים rephaim, the lost; either separate spirits in general, or rather the assembly of separate spirits, which had fallen from primitive rectitude; and shall not be restored to the Divine favour; particularly those sinners who were destroyed by the deluge. This passage intimates that those called rephaim are in a state of conscious existence. It is difficult to assign the true meaning of the word in several places where it occurs: but it seems to mean the state of separate spirits, i.e., of those separated from their bodies, and awaiting the judgment of the great day: but the congregation may also include the fallen angels. My old MS. Bible translates, The man that errith fro the wei of doctrine, in the felowschip of geantis schal wonnen.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 21:16
16. remain] Rather, rest; find his resting-place, the end of his wanderings, among the dead (Heb. Rephaim. See Proverbs 9:18 note). ἐνσυναγωγῇγιγάντωνἀναπαύσεται, LXX.
Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 21:16
congregation of the dead - The Rephaim (compare the Proverbs 2:18 note). Remain - i. e., “He shall find a resting place, but it shall be in Hades.”
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 21:16
16. In the congregation of the dead — αχλμψτΰιν, (bikhal rephaim,) in the congregation or assembly of the rephaim, ghosts, shades, whose dwellingplace is sheol, the underworld, or infernal regions.
Sermons on Proverbs 21:16
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Congregation of the Dead by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of going wherever God sends us to declare His goodness. He describes Shiloh as the place where the heart of God begins to wor |
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God's Alarm Clock by Bill McLeod | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of living a righteous and alert life. He shares a story of a man who fearlessly faced a dangerous situation because he had fa |
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(Hebrews) 1-Overview-1 by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher begins by discussing the book of Revelation and its portrayal of the end times. He expresses sorrow over the degradation and perversion in society, emp |
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(Mount Vernon) the Parable of the Sower by Keith Daniel | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the parable of the sower and the wheat and tears. He emphasizes the importance of being vigilant and not allowing the enemy to sow tears amo |
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The Pigs in the Parking Lot by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of how we hear the word of God, stating that our future is determined by it. He urges the audience to remember the past when t |
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(Riverfront Character Inn) Session 2 - Part 1 by Keith Daniel | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the parable of the Sower found in Luke 8:5-15. He emphasizes the responsibility of the sower to faithfully spread the word of God. The speake |
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Fren-01 the Invisible Cloud of Witnesses by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of not expressing resentment and not seeing oneself as a stranger or victim. He encourages the audience to recognize each othe |