Proverbs 24:17
Proverbs 24:17 in Multiple Translations
Do not gloat when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart rejoice when he stumbles,
Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:
Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, And let not thy heart be glad when he is overthrown;
Do not be glad at the fall of your hater, and let not your heart have joy at his downfall:
Don't celebrate when your enemies fall; don't be glad when they trip up,
Bee thou not glad when thine enemie falleth, and let not thine heart reioyce when hee stumbleth,
In the falling of thine enemy rejoice not, And in his stumbling let not thy heart be joyful,
Don’t rejoice when your enemy falls. Don’t let your heart be glad when he is overthrown,
Rejoice not when thy enemy falleth, and let not thy heart be glad when he stumbleth:
When thy enemy shall fall, be not glad, and in his ruin let not thy heart rejoice:
Do not be happy when something bad happens to one of your enemies; do not rejoice when he stumbles and falls,
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 24:17
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 24:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
בִּ/נְפֹ֣ל
אויבי/ך
אֽ֭וֹיִבְ/ךָ
אַל
תִּשְׂמָ֑ח
וּ֝/בִ/כָּשְׁל֗/וֹ
אַל
יָגֵ֥ל
לִבֶּֽ/ךָ
בִּ/נְפֹ֣ל
nâphal
H5307
to fall
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
אויבי/ך
ʼôyêb
H341
enemy
V-Qal | Suff
אֽ֭וֹיִבְ/ךָ
ʼôyêb
H341
enemy
V-Qal | Suff
אַל
ʼal
H408
not
Part
תִּשְׂמָ֑ח
sâmach
H8055
to rejoice
V-Qal-Juss-2ms
וּ֝/בִ/כָּשְׁל֗/וֹ
kâshal
H3782
to stumble
Conj | Prep | V-Niphal-Inf-a | Suff
אַל
ʼal
H408
not
Part
יָגֵ֥ל
gîyl
H1523
to rejoice
V-Qal-Juss-3ms
לִבֶּֽ/ךָ
lêb
H3820
heart
N-ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 24:17
בִּ/נְפֹ֣ל
nâphal
H5307
"to fall"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to fall, and it's used in many ways, like falling down, failing, or being defeated. It appears in books like Genesis and Isaiah. God's people often fell away from Him, but He always offered a way back.
Definition: : fall/drop/fail 1) to fall, lie, be cast down, fail 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to fall 1a2) to fall (of violent death) 1a3) to fall prostrate, prostrate oneself before 1a4) to fall upon, attack, desert, fall away to, go away to, fall into the hand of 1a5) to fall short, fail, fall out, turn out, result 1a6) to settle, waste away, be offered, be inferior to 1a7) to lie, lie prostrate 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to fall, fell, throw down, knock out, lay prostrate 1b2) to overthrow 1b3) to make the lot fall, assign by lot, apportion by lot 1b4) to let drop, cause to fail (fig.) 1b5) to cause to fall 1c) (Hithpael) 1c1) to throw or prostrate oneself, throw oneself upon 1c2) to lie prostrate, prostrate oneself 1d) (Pilel) to fall
Usage: Occurs in 403 OT verses. KJV: be accepted, cast (down, self, (lots), out), cease, die, divide (by lot), (let) fail, (cause to, let, make, ready to) fall (away, down, -en, -ing), fell(-ing), fugitive, have (inheritance), inferior, be judged (by mistake for H6419 (פָּלַל)), lay (along), (cause to) lie down, light (down), be ([idiom] hast) lost, lying, overthrow, overwhelm, perish, present(-ed, -ing), (make to) rot, slay, smite out, [idiom] surely, throw down. See also: Genesis 2:21; 1 Samuel 17:52; Esther 9:3.
אויבי/ך
ʼôyêb
H341
"enemy"
V-Qal | Suff
This Hebrew word means enemy or adversary, referring to someone who hates or opposes another person or nation. It is used to describe personal or national enemies in the Bible.
Definition: 1) (Qal) enemy 1a) personal 1b) national
Usage: Occurs in 275 OT verses. KJV: enemy, foe. See also: Genesis 22:17; 2 Samuel 22:1; Psalms 3:8.
אֽ֭וֹיִבְ/ךָ
ʼôyêb
H341
"enemy"
V-Qal | Suff
This Hebrew word means enemy or adversary, referring to someone who hates or opposes another person or nation. It is used to describe personal or national enemies in the Bible.
Definition: 1) (Qal) enemy 1a) personal 1b) national
Usage: Occurs in 275 OT verses. KJV: enemy, foe. See also: Genesis 22:17; 2 Samuel 22:1; Psalms 3:8.
אַל
ʼal
H408
"not"
Part
Means not or nothing, used to express negation, as in the phrase do not or let not be.
Definition: 1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference) 1a) do not, let not (with a verb) 1b) let there not be (with a verb understood) 1c) not, no (with substantive) 1d) nothing (as substantive) Aramaic equivalent: al (אַל "not" H0409)
Usage: Occurs in 572 OT verses. KJV: nay, neither, [phrase] never, no, nor, not, nothing (worth), rather than. See also: Genesis 13:8; Joshua 11:6; 1 Chronicles 22:13.
תִּשְׂמָ֑ח
sâmach
H8055
"to rejoice"
V-Qal-Juss-2ms
This verb means to rejoice or be glad, often used in a religious sense, like when the Israelites rejoiced at the dedication of the temple in 1 Kings 8:66.
Definition: 1) to rejoice, be glad 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to rejoice 1a2) to rejoice (arrogantly), exult (at) 1a3) to rejoice (religiously) 1b) (Piel) to cause to rejoice, gladden, make glad 1c) (Hiphil) to cause to rejoice, gladden, make glad
Usage: Occurs in 148 OT verses. KJV: cheer up, be (make) glad, (have, make) joy(-ful), be (make) merry, (cause to, make to) rejoice, [idiom] very. See also: Exodus 4:14; Psalms 92:5; Psalms 5:12.
וּ֝/בִ/כָּשְׁל֗/וֹ
kâshal
H3782
"to stumble"
Conj | Prep | V-Niphal-Inf-a | Suff
To stumble means to lose your balance and almost fall, often because of weakness. In the Bible, it can also mean to falter or fail spiritually. This word is used in many books, including Psalms and Proverbs.
Definition: 1) to stumble, stagger, totter 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to stumble 1a2) to totter 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to stumble 1b2) to be tottering, be feeble 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to stumble, bring injury or ruin to, overthrow 1c2) to make feeble, make weak 1d) (Hophal) to be made to stumble 1e) (Piel) bereave
Usage: Occurs in 59 OT verses. KJV: bereave (from the margin), cast down, be decayed, (cause to) fail, (cause, make to) fall (down, -ing), feeble, be (the) ruin(-ed, of), (be) overthrown, (cause to) stumble, [idiom] utterly, be weak. See also: Leviticus 26:37; Jeremiah 6:15; Psalms 9:4.
אַל
ʼal
H408
"not"
Part
Means not or nothing, used to express negation, as in the phrase do not or let not be.
Definition: 1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference) 1a) do not, let not (with a verb) 1b) let there not be (with a verb understood) 1c) not, no (with substantive) 1d) nothing (as substantive) Aramaic equivalent: al (אַל "not" H0409)
Usage: Occurs in 572 OT verses. KJV: nay, neither, [phrase] never, no, nor, not, nothing (worth), rather than. See also: Genesis 13:8; Joshua 11:6; 1 Chronicles 22:13.
יָגֵ֥ל
gîyl
H1523
"to rejoice"
V-Qal-Juss-3ms
This Hebrew word means to rejoice or be glad, often expressing strong emotions like joy or fear, as seen in the KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to rejoice, exult, be glad 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to rejoice 1a2) to tremble (from fear)
Usage: Occurs in 44 OT verses. KJV: be glad, joy, be joyful, rejoice. See also: 1 Chronicles 16:31; Proverbs 23:25; Psalms 2:11.
לִבֶּֽ/ךָ
lêb
H3820
"heart"
N-ms | Suff
Leb refers to the heart, but also represents feelings, will, and intellect in the Bible. It is used figuratively to describe the center of something, and is often translated as heart or mind. Leb is a complex concept that encompasses emotions and thoughts.
Definition: 1) inner man, mind, will, heart, understanding 1a) inner part, midst 1a1) midst (of things) 1a2) heart (of man) 1a3) soul, heart (of man) 1a4) mind, knowledge, thinking, reflection, memory 1a5) inclination, resolution, determination (of will) 1a6) conscience 1a7) heart (of moral character) 1a8) as seat of appetites 1a9) as seat of emotions and passions 1a10) as seat of courage
Usage: Occurs in 552 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] care for, comfortably, consent, [idiom] considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-), (hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart(-ed), [idiom] heed, [idiom] I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), [idiom] regard(-ed), [idiom] themselves, [idiom] unawares, understanding, [idiom] well, willingly, wisdom. See also: Genesis 6:5; 2 Samuel 13:33; Psalms 4:8.
Study Notes — Proverbs 24:17
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 24:17 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 24:17
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 24:17
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 24:17
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 24:17
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 24:17
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 24:17
- Sermons on Proverbs 24:17
Context — Saying 28
15Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, near the dwelling of the righteous; do not destroy his resting place.
16For though a righteous man may fall seven times, he still gets up; but the wicked stumble in bad times.
17Do not gloat when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart rejoice when he stumbles,
18or the LORD will see and disapprove, and turn His wrath away from him. 19Do not fret over evildoers, and do not be envious of the wicked.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Obadiah 1:12 | But you should not gloat in that day, your brother’s day of misfortune, nor rejoice over the people of Judah in the day of their destruction, nor boast proudly in the day of their distress. |
| 2 | Job 31:29 | If I have rejoiced in my enemy’s ruin, or exulted when evil befell him— |
| 3 | Proverbs 17:5 | He who mocks the poor insults their Maker; whoever gloats over calamity will not go unpunished. |
| 4 | 1 Corinthians 13:6–7 | Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. |
| 5 | 2 Samuel 16:5–14 | As King David approached Bahurim, a man from the family of the house of Saul was just coming out. His name was Shimei son of Gera, and as he approached, he kept yelling out curses. He threw stones at David and at all the servants of the king, though the troops and all the mighty men were on David’s right and left. And as he yelled curses, Shimei said, “Get out, get out, you worthless man of bloodshed! The LORD has paid you back for all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned, and the LORD has delivered the kingdom into the hand of your son Absalom. See, you have come to ruin because you are a man of bloodshed!” Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said to the king, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over and cut off his head!” But the king replied, “What have I to do with you, O sons of Zeruiah? If he curses me because the LORD told him, ‘Curse David,’ who can ask, ‘Why did you do this?’” Then David said to Abishai and to all his servants, “Behold, my own son, my own flesh and blood, seeks my life. How much more, then, this Benjamite! Leave him alone and let him curse me, for the LORD has told him so. Perhaps the LORD will see my affliction and repay me with good for the cursing I receive today.” So David and his men proceeded along the road as Shimei went along the ridge of the hill opposite him. As Shimei went, he yelled curses, threw stones, and flung dust at David. Finally, the king and all the people with him arrived, exhausted. And there he refreshed himself. |
| 6 | Psalms 35:15 | But when I stumbled, they assembled in glee; they gathered together against me. Assailants I did not know slandered me without ceasing. |
| 7 | Psalms 42:10 | Like the crushing of my bones, my enemies taunt me, while they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” |
| 8 | Psalms 35:19 | Let not my enemies gloat over me without cause, nor those who hate me without reason wink in malice. |
| 9 | Judges 16:25 | And while their hearts were merry, they said, “Call for Samson to entertain us.” So they called Samson out of the prison to entertain them. And they stationed him between the pillars. |
Proverbs 24:17 Summary
[This verse reminds us that when someone who has wronged us falls or fails, we should not take pleasure in their misfortune. Instead, we should show love and compassion, just as God shows us mercy and forgiveness, as seen in Psalm 103:10-12. By choosing not to gloat or rejoice, we reflect the heart of God, who desires for all people to come to repentance, as stated in 2 Peter 3:9.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I not rejoice when my enemy falls?
We should not rejoice when our enemy falls because it goes against the nature of love and compassion that God expects from us, as seen in Proverbs 24:17 and also in Matthew 5:44 where Jesus teaches us to love our enemies.
Is it wrong to feel happy when someone who has wronged me gets what's coming to them?
While it's natural to feel a sense of justice, Proverbs 24:17 reminds us not to let our hearts rejoice in someone's misfortune, as this can lead to a hardened heart and lack of empathy, which is contrary to the spirit of forgiveness in Ephesians 4:32.
How does gloating over an enemy's fall affect my relationship with God?
Gloating over an enemy's fall can lead to God's disapproval, as stated in Proverbs 24:18, and can hinder our ability to show love and mercy, which are essential qualities for a believer, as seen in Micah 6:8.
What is the difference between justice and gloating?
Justice is about upholding what is right and fair, while gloating is about taking pleasure in someone's misfortune, which is not the same as seeking justice, and as Proverbs 21:15 notes, the king’s justice brings joy to the righteous.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I have rejoiced over someone's misfortune in the past, and how can I change my response in the future?
- How can I balance the desire for justice with the command to love my enemies, as taught in Matthew 5:38-42?
- In what ways can I show compassion and empathy towards those who may have wronged me, and what role does forgiveness play in this process, as seen in Colossians 3:13?
- What are some practical steps I can take to cultivate a heart of love and mercy towards my enemies, as commanded in Luke 6:27-36?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 24:17
Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth,.... These words are spoken not to the wicked man, Proverbs 24:15; but to the just man, or Solomon's son, or the children of Wisdom; for by the "enemy" is meant
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 24:17
Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: Thine enemy - so the Qeri'; but the Kethibh, 'thine enemies.' Let not thine heart be glad (not only do not
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 24:17
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 ,5.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 24:17
Proverbs 24:17 Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:Ver. 17. Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth.] If thou dost, it is a sure sign of devilish hatred - επιχαιρεκακια being the devil’ s disease - what goodwill, innocence, or ignoscency soever thou makest show of. Job cleareth himself of this fault, and so doth David notably. See his practice. Caesar wept when Pompey’ s head was presented to him, and said, Victoriam volui, non vindictam.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 24:17
Verse 17. Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, (into this mischief,) and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth] When he meets with any thing that injures him; for God will not have thee to avenge thyself, or feel any disposition contrary to love; for if thou do, the Lord will be angry, and may turn away his wrath from him, and pour it out on thee. This I believe to be the true sense of these verses: but we must return to the sixteenth, as that has been most sinfully misrepresented. For a just man falleth seven times. - That is, say many, "the most righteous man in the world sins seven times a day on an average." Solomon does not say so: - 1. There is not a word about sin in the text. 2. The word day is not in the Hebrew text, nor in any of the versions. 3. The word יפול yippol, from נפל naphal, to fall, is never applied to sin. 4. When set in opposition to the words riseth up, it merely applies to affliction or calamity. See Micah 7:8; Amos 8:4; Jeremiah 25:27; and Psalms 34:19; Psalms 34:20. "The righteous falls into trouble." See above.
Mr. Holden has a very judicious note on this passage: "Injure not a righteous man; for, though he frequently falls into distress, yet, by the superintending care of Providence, 'he riseth up again,' is delivered from his distress, while the wicked are overwhelmed with their misfortunes. That this is the meaning is plain from the preceding and following verses: yet some expound it by the just man often relapsing into sin, and recovering from it; nay, it has even been adduced to prove the doctrine of the final perseverance of the elect. But נפל is never used for falling into sin, but into distress and affliction - as Proverbs 11:5; Proverbs 11:14; Proverbs 13:17; Proverbs 17:20; Proverbs 26:27; Proverbs 28:10; Proverbs 28:14; Proverbs 28:18."
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 24:17
17, 18. Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth — The difficulty of this proverb is in the apparent lowness, not to say unworthiness, of the motive presented for abstaining from exultation over the
Sermons on Proverbs 24:17
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(Job: An Epic in Brokenness) 3. the Message of Elihu by Roy Hession | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the book of Job and its various chapters. He highlights how Job's friends were amazed and stopped speaking, allowing Job to finally have a ch |
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The Greater Priority Than Missions by George Verwer | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of love in the Christian faith. He shares personal experiences of how love transformed his own behavior as a husband and fathe |
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Watchman or Gossip? Contentiously Contending - 7 by Anton Bosch | Anton Bosch preaches on the importance of reacting to the fall of the wicked with mourning and intercession, rather than delighting in scandal or spreading rumors. He emphasizes th |
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The Hope of Holiness by Elisabeth Elliot | Elisabeth Elliot emphasizes the danger of using false humility and openness as excuses for not pursuing holiness, warning against the tendency to justify sin by comparing ourselves |
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Hurricane Jesus by David Servant | David Servant preaches about the importance of acknowledging and understanding God's holy wrath alongside His love and mercy, emphasizing that God's character includes both aspects |
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God Loves the Whole World by Bakht Singh | Bakht Singh delves into the apparent contradictions in the Bible regarding loving the world, highlighting the need to understand the different meanings of the word 'world' in diffe |
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Epistle 155 by George Fox | George Fox emphasizes the importance of turning to the light of Christ, which unites believers and reveals the truth about the world and its vanities. He encourages the faithful to |