Proverbs 4:16
Proverbs 4:16 in Multiple Translations
For they cannot sleep unless they do evil; they are deprived of slumber until they make someone fall.
For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.
For they sleep not, except they do evil; And their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.
For they take no rest till they have done evil; their sleep is taken away if they have not been the cause of someone's fall.
Evil people won't rest until they've done something wrong; they can't sleep unless they've tripped someone up.
For they can not sleepe, except they haue done euill, and their sleepe departeth except they cause some to fall.
For they sleep not if they do not evil, And their sleep hath been taken violently away, If they cause not [some] to stumble.
For they don’t sleep unless they do evil. Their sleep is taken away, unless they make someone fall.
For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.
For they sleep not except they have done evil: and their sleep is taken away unless they have made some to fall.
because evil people cannot sleep if they have not done some evil deed on that day. They cannot rest if they have not harmed someone.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 4:16
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 4:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
כִּ֤י
לֹ֣א
יִֽ֭שְׁנוּ
אִם
לֹ֣א
יָרֵ֑עוּ
וְֽ/נִגְזְלָ֥ה
שְׁ֝נָתָ֗/ם
אִם
לֹ֥א
יכשולו
יַכְשִֽׁילוּ
כִּ֤י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
יִֽ֭שְׁנוּ
yâshên
H3462
to sleep
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
אִם
ʼim
H518
if
Conj
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
יָרֵ֑עוּ
râʻaʻ
H7489
be evil
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3mp
וְֽ/נִגְזְלָ֥ה
gâzal
H1497
to plunder
Conj | V-Niphal-3fs
שְׁ֝נָתָ֗/ם
shênâh
H8142
sleep
N-fs | Suff
אִם
ʼim
H518
if
Conj
לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
יכשולו
kâshal
H3782
to stumble
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
יַכְשִֽׁילוּ
kâshal
H3782
to stumble
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3mp
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 4:16
כִּ֤י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
יִֽ֭שְׁנוּ
yâshên
H3462
"to sleep"
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
Means to sleep or be lazy, it also implies growing old or stale, as seen in the story of David's mighty warriors in 2 Samuel 23:32. It can also mean to die or be in a deep sleep. This word is used to describe a state of inactivity.
Definition: 1) to sleep, be asleep 1a) (Qal) to sleep, go to sleep, be asleep 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to remain a long time, be stored up 1b2) to be festering (of leprosy) 1c) (Piel) to cause to sleep, entice to sleep
Usage: Occurs in 21 OT verses. KJV: old (store), remain long, (make to) sleep. See also: Genesis 2:21; Psalms 4:9; Psalms 3:6.
אִם
ʼim
H518
"if"
Conj
This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.
Definition: : if/whether_or/though 1) if 1a) conditional clauses 1a1) of possible situations 1a2) of impossible situations 1b) oath contexts 1b1) no, not 1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or 1d) when, whenever 1e) since 1f) interrogative particle 1g) but rather
Usage: Occurs in 931 OT verses. KJV: (and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), [phrase] but, either, [phrase] except, [phrase] more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, [phrase] save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, [phrase] surely (no more, none, not), though, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] unless, [phrase] verily, when, whereas, whether, while, [phrase] yet. See also: Genesis 4:7; Exodus 22:3; Leviticus 27:27.
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
יָרֵ֑עוּ
râʻaʻ
H7489
"be evil"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3mp
This word means to shatter or break something into pieces, making it useless or bad. It can also mean to afflict or displease someone.
Definition: 1) to be bad, be evil 1a)(Qal) 1a1) to be displeasing 1a2) to be sad 1a3) to be injurious, be evil 1a4) to be wicked, be evil (ethically) 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to do an injury or hurt 1b2) to do evil or wickedly 1b3) mischief (participle)
Usage: Occurs in 99 OT verses. KJV: afflict, associate selves (by mistake for H7462 (רָעָה)), break (down, in pieces), [phrase] displease, (be, bring, do) evil (doer, entreat, man), show self friendly (by mistake for H7462 (רָעָה)), do harm, (do) hurt, (behave self, deal) ill, [idiom] indeed, do mischief, punish, still, vex, (do) wicked (doer, -ly), be (deal, do) worse. See also: Genesis 19:7; Psalms 27:2; Psalms 2:9.
וְֽ/נִגְזְלָ֥ה
gâzal
H1497
"to plunder"
Conj | V-Niphal-3fs
This verb means to take something by force, like plundering or robbing, and is used in stories like David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17. It can also mean to strip or flay something, and is often associated with violence.
Definition: 1) to tear away, seize, plunder, tear off, pull off, rob, take away by force 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to tear away, rob 1a2) to seize, plunder (with acc cognate) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be robbed 1b2) to be taken away
Usage: Occurs in 30 OT verses. KJV: catch, consume, exercise (robbery), pluck (off), rob, spoil, take away (by force, violence), tear. See also: Genesis 21:25; Psalms 69:5; Psalms 35:10.
שְׁ֝נָתָ֗/ם
shênâh
H8142
"sleep"
N-fs | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to sleep or be asleep, like when God put Adam to sleep in Genesis 2:21. It is also used to describe a state of unconsciousness. This word is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: sleep Aramaic equivalent: she.nah (שְׁנָה "sleep" H8139)
Usage: Occurs in 23 OT verses. KJV: sleep. See also: Genesis 28:16; Proverbs 6:4; Psalms 76:6.
אִם
ʼim
H518
"if"
Conj
This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.
Definition: : if/whether_or/though 1) if 1a) conditional clauses 1a1) of possible situations 1a2) of impossible situations 1b) oath contexts 1b1) no, not 1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or 1d) when, whenever 1e) since 1f) interrogative particle 1g) but rather
Usage: Occurs in 931 OT verses. KJV: (and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), [phrase] but, either, [phrase] except, [phrase] more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, [phrase] save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, [phrase] surely (no more, none, not), though, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] unless, [phrase] verily, when, whereas, whether, while, [phrase] yet. See also: Genesis 4:7; Exodus 22:3; Leviticus 27:27.
לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
יכשולו
kâshal
H3782
"to stumble"
V-Qal-Imperf-3mp
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.
יַכְשִֽׁילוּ
kâshal
H3782
"to stumble"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3mp
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.
Study Notes — Proverbs 4:16
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 4:16 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 4:16
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 4:16
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 4:16
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 4:16
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 4:16
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 4:16
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 4:16
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 4:16
- Sermons on Proverbs 4:16
Context — A Father’s Instruction
14Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers.
15Avoid it; do not travel on it. Turn from it and pass on by.
16For they cannot sleep unless they do evil; they are deprived of slumber until they make someone fall.
17For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. 18The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 36:4 | Even on his bed he plots wickedness; he sets himself on a path that is not good; he fails to reject evil. |
| 2 | Micah 2:1 | Woe to those who devise iniquity and plot evil on their beds! At morning’s light they accomplish it because the power is in their hands. |
| 3 | Isaiah 57:20 | But the wicked are like the storm-tossed sea, for it cannot be still, and its waves churn up mire and muck. |
| 4 | 2 Peter 2:14 | Their eyes are full of adultery; their desire for sin is never satisfied; they seduce the unstable. They are accursed children with hearts trained in greed. |
| 5 | Proverbs 1:16 | For their feet run to evil, and they are swift to shed blood. |
| 6 | Luke 22:66 | At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and scribes, met together. They led Jesus into their Sanhedrin and said, |
| 7 | John 18:28 | Then they led Jesus away from Caiaphas into the Praetorium. By now it was early morning, and the Jews did not enter the Praetorium, to avoid being defiled and unable to eat the Passover. |
Proverbs 4:16 Summary
[This verse, Proverbs 4:16, is telling us that people who are wicked and love to do bad things can't rest or sleep until they have done something bad, like hurt someone, as also seen in Proverbs 1:11-16. It's like they have a hunger inside them that can only be satisfied by doing evil. On the other hand, those who follow God's ways can have peace and rest, as promised in Psalm 4:8 and Matthew 11:28-30. By following God's path, we can have a heart that is driven by a desire to do good, rather than evil, and we can cultivate this heart through prayer, Bible study, and obedience to God's commands, as encouraged in Psalm 119:11 and Philippians 4:8.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that the wicked cannot sleep unless they do evil?
This phrase suggests that those who are consumed by wickedness have a deep-seated need to act on their evil desires, and they are unable to rest until they have done so, as seen in Proverbs 4:16, and it is a characteristic that distinguishes them from the righteous, as noted in Psalm 36:4.
Is it true that the wicked are always looking for ways to harm others?
According to Proverbs 4:16, the wicked are deprived of slumber until they make someone fall, indicating that they are driven to cause harm to others, which is also seen in Proverbs 1:11-16 where they lay in wait to ambush the innocent.
How can I avoid being influenced by the wicked and their ways?
To avoid being influenced by the wicked, it is essential to avoid their paths and ways, as warned in Proverbs 4:14-15, and instead, follow the path of the righteous, which is described in Proverbs 4:18 as shining brighter and brighter until midday, and is also encouraged in Psalm 119:105.
What is the ultimate consequence for those who continue in wickedness?
The ultimate consequence for those who continue in wickedness is judgment and separation from God, as seen in Proverbs 4:19 and Revelation 20:12-15, which emphasizes the importance of turning away from wickedness and following the path of righteousness, as encouraged in Proverbs 4:18 and Matthew 7:13-14.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I may be unknowingly participating in or supporting wickedness, and how can I turn away from it?
- How can I cultivate a heart that is driven by a desire to do good, rather than evil, and what role does prayer and Bible study play in this process, as seen in Psalm 119:11 and Philippians 4:8?
- In what ways can I be a light in the darkness, shining the love and truth of God to those around me, as encouraged in Matthew 5:14-16 and Ephesians 5:8-14?
- What are some practical steps I can take to avoid the influence of wickedness and to follow the path of righteousness, as warned in Proverbs 4:14-15 and encouraged in Psalm 119:105?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 4:16
For they sleep not, except they have done mischief,.... Or they cannot sleep, as Jarchi and Gersom interpret it.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 4:16
For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 4:16
They sleep not; they cannot compose themselves to sleep with quietness and satisfaction to their own minds. To fall into their own snares, either into sin or into mischief.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 4:16
Proverbs 4:16 For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause [some] to fall.Ver. 16. For they sleep not.] So much are they set upon it. Or as empty stomachs can hardly sleep, so neither can graceless persons rest till gorged and glutted with the sweetmeats of sin, with the murdering morsels of mischief. The devil, their taskmaster, will not allow them time to sleep; which is very hard bondage. "They have eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease to sin." Unless they cause some to fall.] Protagoras, as Plato relates, boasted of this, that whereas he had lived threescore years, forty of them he had spent in corrupting of young men that conversed with him.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 4:16
(16) For they sleep not . . .—The practice of evil has become as it were a second nature to them, they cannot live without it.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 4:16
Verse 16. Except they have done mischief] The night is their time for spoil and depredation. And they must gain some booty, before they go to rest. This I believe to be the meaning of the passage. I grant, also, that there may be some of so malevolent a disposition that they cannot be easy unless they can injure others, and are put to excessive pain when they perceive any man in prosperity, or receiving a kindness. The address in Virgil, to an ill-natured shepherd is well known: - Et cum vidisti puero donata, dolebas: Et si non aliqua nocuisses, mortuus esses. ECLOG. iii. 14. "When thou sawest the gifts given to the lad, thou wast distressed; and hadst thou not found some means of doing him a mischief, thou hadst died."
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 4:16
16. their sleep is taken away] Comp.: “Ergo non aliter poterit dormire; quibusdam Somnum rixa facit.” Juv. Sat. III. 281, 2.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 4:16
16. They sleep not — A strong mode of saying they are restless to do evil. They love it more than they do their necessary sleep. Mischief — Hardly strong enough; wickedness. Comp. Malachi 2:8.
Sermons on Proverbs 4:16
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Context of the Coming Kingdom by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of knowing God as the revelation of Jesus as king and the beauty of the kingdom. He criticizes the superficiality of worship a |
|
Ii Timothy - Part 1 - Continue in the Gospel by John Stott | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of standing firm in the word of God and not being influenced by the world. He reminds Timothy of his past and present loyalty |
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(John - Part 47): Let Not Your Heart Be Troubled by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the importance of having faith in God rather than relying on worldly things. He emphasizes that while material possessions and achievements m |
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No Peace for the Wicked by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the story of King David and his guilt after taking the widow of a fallen soldier as his wife. David felt restless and burdened by his wrongdoi |
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Comfort and Security in Christ by William MacDonald | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the passage from Mark chapter 4, verses 35 to the end of the chapter. He begins by explaining that he chose to preach on something comforting |
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Contentment and Covetousness by Zac Poonen | This sermon emphasizes the importance of living a life of rest and contentment in God. It highlights the need to focus on obeying all of God's commandments and claiming His promise |
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The God of Peace by Thomas Wilson | The video is a sermon transcript that covers various topics. It starts with a description of a powerful waterfall and the awe it inspires, relating it to the anticipation of seeing |