Psalms 34:21 — Word Study
WLCתְּמוֹתֵ֣ת רָשָׁ֣ע רָעָ֑ה וְשֹׂנְאֵ֖י צַדִּ֣יק יֶאְשָֽׁמוּ׃
BSAto keepshâmar allkôl boneʻetsem oneʼechâd they(fem.)hênnâh notlôʼ to breakshâbar
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| תְּמוֹתֵ֣ת | it will kill | Verb, Piel, imperfect third person feminine singular |
| רָשָׁ֣ע | [the] wicked | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| רָעָ֑ה | evil | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
| וְשֹׂנְאֵ֖י | and [those who] hate | Conjunction, verb qal participle (active) masculine plural common |
| צַדִּ֣יק | [the] righteous | |
| יֶאְשָֽׁמוּ׃ | they will be held guilty | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine plural |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Evil will slay the wicked, and the haters of the righteous will be condemned. |
| KJV | Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate. |
| ASV | Evil shall slay the wicked; And they that hate the righteous shall be condemned. |
| YLT | Evil doth put to death the wicked, And those hating the righteous are desolate. |
| WEB | Evil shall kill the wicked. Those who hate the righteous shall be condemned. |
| BBE | Evil will put an end to the sinner, and those who are haters of righteousness will come to destruction. |
The translations agree on the meaning and implications of the verse, particularly regarding the fate of the wicked.
The sentence has a clear main clause followed by two subordinate phrases that elaborate on the subjects involved.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectעֶצֶם
verbשָׁמַר
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Psalms 34:21
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Fate of the Wicked and the Righteousgenerated
Psalm 34:21 presents a stark contrast between the fate of the wicked and the protection of the righteous. The psalm emphasizes that while the righteous may face afflictions, they are ultimately delivered by the LORD, as seen in the preceding verses. This theme of divine justice is echoed throughout the psalm, reinforcing the idea that evil will ultimately meet its end.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 37:30–40 | The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice. |
| 2 | Psalm 94:23 | He will bring upon them their own iniquity and destroy them for their wickedness. The LORD our God will destroy them. |
| 3 | Isaiah 3:11 | Woe to the wicked; disaster is upon them! For they will be repaid with what their hands have done. |
| 4 | Psalm 37:12–15 | The wicked scheme against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them, |
| 5 | Psalm 40:15 | May those who say to me, “Aha, aha!” be appalled at their own shame. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 16 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — תְּמוֹתֵ֣ת, te.mo.Tetgenerated
The verb מוּת (mūth) means 'to die' or 'to kill' and is used here in the Piel stem, indicating a causative action. This form suggests that evil actively brings about death for the wicked, highlighting the severity of their fate.
In this context, the word conveys not just physical death but also a moral and spiritual consequence for those who oppose God. The choice of this verb underscores the certainty of judgment against the wicked.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses slay for תְּמוֹתֵ֣ת.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb of the verse is תְּמוֹתֵ֣ת, it will slay, which governs the subject רָשָׁ֣ע, the wicked. The structure indicates a clear cause-and-effect relationship: evil leads to the slaying of the wicked.
The second part of the verse introduces another verb, יֶאְשָֽׁמוּ, they will be held guilty, which connects the haters of the righteous to their impending judgment.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates תְּמוֹתֵ֣ת with φυλάσσει, which implies a protective action rather than a direct killing. This choice suggests a broader interpretation of how evil interacts with the wicked.
The LXX also uses πάντα for רָשָׁ֣ע, indicating a universal scope of wickedness, which aligns with the psalm's theme of divine justice.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Psalm 34:21 tells us that evil will lead to the death of the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be judged. This verse contrasts the fate of the wicked with the protection offered to the righteous by the LORD.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
This phrase indicates that the consequences of evil actions will ultimately lead to death and judgment for those who oppose God.
The haters of the righteous are those who despise or oppose those who are just and upright, often out of envy or malice.
The verse assures the righteous that despite their afflictions, they will be vindicated and protected by the LORD.
This verse encapsulates the psalm's message of divine justice, contrasting the fates of the wicked and the righteous.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I seen the consequences of evil in my own life or the lives of others?
- How can I ensure that I am counted among the righteous in my actions and attitudes?
- What does it mean for me to hate what is evil and love what is good?
- How can I encourage others who may feel oppressed or judged for doing what is right?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Church Fathers comment on this verse, emphasizing the fate of sinners and the protection of the righteous as a demonstration of God's providence.
Not only do sinners meet such a fate, but also those hostile to the righteous will fall foul of troubles. Now, he says this to bring out the extent of the providence that God shows for the righteous.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 34 →
"The death of sinners is the worst" [Psalms 34:21]. Attend, Brethren, for the sake of those things which I said.Early Church Fathers on Psalms 34 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Psalms 34:21 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleEvil shall slay the wicked,.... Meaning either the evil they designed against the righteous shall return and fall upon their heads, to their own ruin; or the evil of affliction, which to them is the
Read John Gill on Psalms 34 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryEvil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate. Evil shall slay the wicked.
Read Robert Jamieson on Psalms 34 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleEvil; either, 1. The evil of sin. His own wickedness, though designed against others, shall destroy himself. Or, 2. The evil of misery. When the afflictions of good men shall have a happy issue, theirs shall end in their total and final destruction. That hate the righteous; that persecute them, and plot their ruin; which is an evidence that they hate them, whatsoever they may pretend to the contrary.
Read Matthew Poole on Psalms 34 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsPsalms 34:21 Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.Ver. 21. Evil shall slay the wicked] For lack of such deliverance, as Psalms 34:19, malum iugular authorem mali Their malice shall prove their mischief. The Arabic hath it (but not right), mors impii pessima. Aben Ezra better senseth it thus, One affliction killeth the wicked; when out of many God delivereth the righteous.
Read John Trapp on Psalms 34 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(21) Desolate.—Better (as in margin), shall be found guilty, or condemned.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Psalms 34 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 21. Evil shall slay the wicked] The very thing in which they delight shall become their bane and their ruin. They that hate the righteous] All persecutors of God's people shall be followed by the chilling blast of God's displeasure in this world; and if they repent not, shall perish everlastingly.
Read AdamClarke on Psalms 34 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges21, 22. shall be desolate] R.V. shall be condemned; or, marg., held guilty. Cp. Psalms 5:10.
Read Cambridge on Psalms 34 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleEvil shall slay the wicked - That is, his own wicked conduct will be the cause of his destruction.
Read Albert Barnes on Psalms 34 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Evil will slay the wicked, and the haters of the righteous will be condemned.
Evil shall kill the wicked. Those who hate the righteous shall be condemned.
Evil will slay the wicked, and the haters of the righteous will be condemned.
Evil people self-destruct; those who hate the godly are punished.
Tyndale line
Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.
Evil shall slay the wicked; And they that hate the righteous shall be condemned.
Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be condemned.
Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.
But malice shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous, shall perish.
Strictly literal
Evil shall destroy the wicked; and they that hate the righteous shall bear their guilt.
Evil doth put to death the wicked, And those hating the righteous are desolate.
Evil puts the wicked to death, || And those hating the righteous are desolate.
(34:22) The evil will slay the wicked: and they who hate the righteous shall incur guiltiness.
Evil will kill the wicked. Those who hate the righteous will be condemned.
From the Latin
And they opened their mouth wide against me; they said: Well done, well done, our eyes have seen it.
Simplified
Evil kills the wicked. Those who hate good people will suffer for their wrongdoing.
Evil will put an end to the sinner, and those who are haters of righteousness will come to destruction.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text reads תְּמוֹתֵ֣ת רָשָׁ֣ע רָעָ֑ה וְשֹׂנְאֵ֖י צַדִּ֣יק יֶאְשָֽׁמוּ׃, while the Septuagint matches five of the six words. The Dead Sea Scrolls contain partial restorations, indicating some textual variation but generally aligning with the Masoretic Text.
תְּמוֹתֵ֣ת רָשָׁ֣ע רָעָ֑ה וְשֹׂנְאֵ֖י צַדִּ֣יק יֶאְשָֽׁמוּ׃
5 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
[שמר] [כל] [עצמותי׳ו] [אחת] [מ׳הנה] [לא] נשבר
nothing on the leather here — 1 partly restored, 6 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Psalms 34:21
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
מוּת (mūth) is a Hebrew verb meaning 'to die' or 'to kill.' It encompasses a range of meanings from dying naturally to being executed as a penalty. The word can refer to both humans and animals, and it includes various forms such as causing death or being killed. There is a distinction in usage based on the subject, whether it is a person or God inflicting death.
מוּת vb. die
Qal
die, of natural or other causes
die as a penalty = be put to death
Po‛lel. kill, put to death, despatch (intens.)
Hiph.
abs., elsewhere c. acc., subj. man
subj. God, by inflicting penalty
of animals killing men
bring to a premature death
Hoph. be killed, put to death
base
H4191 מוּת die .. die, of natural or other causes
. die as a penalty = be put to death
. kill, put to death, despatch (intens.)
. . abs., elsewhere c. acc., subj. man
. subj. God, by inflicting penalty
. of animals killing men
. bring to a premature death
. be killed, put to death
4191 muwth mooth
a primitive root: to die (literally or figuratively);
causatively, to kill:--X at all, X crying, (be) dead (body,
man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to,
be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), X must needs,
slay, X surely, X very suddenly, X in (no) wise.
מוּת (mut) — to die.
1) to die, kill, have one executed
1a)(Qal)
1a1) to die
1a2) to die (as penalty), be put to death
1a3) to die, perish (of a nation)
1a4) to die prematurely (by neglect of wise moral conduct)
1b) (Polel) to kill, put to death, dispatch
1c) (Hiphil) to kill, put to death
1d) (Hophal)
1d1) to be killed, be put to death
1d1a) to die prematurely
HVpi3fs — Verb · Piel · imperfect third person feminine singularHVpi3fs
רָשָׁע (rasha`) refers to someone who is wicked or criminal, encompassing meanings such as guilty and ungodly. It is derived from a root that implies moral wrongdoing. The term is used to describe individuals who are hostile to God or guilty of sin against others.
רָשָׁע 263 adj. wicked, criminal
base
H7563 רָשָׁע wicked, criminal
7563 rasha` raw-shaw'
from 7561; morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad
person:--+ condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did
wrong.
see HEBREW for 07561
רָשָׁע (ra.sah) — wicked.
1) wicked, criminal
1a) guilty one, one guilty of crime (subst)
1b) wicked (hostile to God)
1c) wicked, guilty of sin (against God or man)
HNcmsa — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
רַע (ra) is a Hebrew word meaning bad or evil, encompassing a range of negative qualities such as distress, misery, and ethical wrongdoing. It can describe unpleasantness, harm, or low value, and is used in various contexts, including emotional states and moral judgments. The entries also note its comparative form, indicating worse than or worst. The word has feminine forms, such as רָעָה (ra.ah), which similarly convey concepts of evil and distress.
רַע 228 adj. bad, evil
bad, disagreeable, malignant
bad, unpleasant, giving pain, unhappiness, misery
evil, displeasing
bad of its kind
bad, , i.e. of low value
מִן comp., worse than
sad, unhappy
devise evil (hurtful) device
bad, unkind, vicious in disposition or temper
ethically bad, evil, wicked
base
רַע 126 n.m. evil, distress, misery, injury, calamity
evil, distress, adversity
evil, injury, wrong
ethical evil
base
רָעָה 310 n.f. evil, misery, distress, injury
evil, misery, distress
evil, injury, wrong
ethical evil
base
H7451a רַע bad, evil . bad, disagreeable, malignant
. bad, unpleasant, giving pain, unhappiness, misery
. evil, displeasing
. bad of its kind
. bad, , i.e. of low value
. + מִן comp., worse than
. sad, unhappy
. devise evil (hurtful) device
. bad, unkind, vicious in disposition or temper
. ethically bad, evil, wicked
H7451b רַע evil, distress, misery, injury, calamity . evil, distress, adversity
. evil, injury, wrong
. ethical evil
H7451c רָעָה evil, misery, distress, injury . evil, misery, distress
. evil, injury, wrong
. ethical evil
7451 ra` rah
from 7489; bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral):--
adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, + displease(-ure),
distress, evil((- favouredness), man, thing), + exceedingly, X
great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favoured),
+ mark, mischief(-vous), misery, naught(-ty), noisome, + not
please, sad(-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex,
wicked(-ly, -ness, one), worse(-st), wretchedness, wrong.
(Incl. feminine raaah; as adjective or noun.).
see HEBREW for 07489
רַע (ra) — bad: harmful.
: harmful
adj
1) bad, evil
1a) bad, disagreeable, malignant
1b) bad, unpleasant, evil (giving pain, unhappiness, misery)
1c) evil, displeasing
1d) bad (of its kind-land, water, etc)
1e) bad (of value)
1f) worse than, worst (comparison)
1g) sad, unhappy
1h) evil (hurtful)
1i) bad, unkind (vicious in disposition)
1j) bad, evil, wicked (ethically)
1j1) in general, of persons, of thoughts
1j2) deeds, actions
רַע (ra) — bad: evil.
1) evil, distress, misery, injury, calamity
1a) evil, distress, adversity
1b) evil, injury, wrong
1c) evil (ethical)
רָעָה (ra.ah) — distress: harm.
: harm
1) evil, misery, distress, injury
1a) evil, misery, distress
1b) evil, injury, wrong
1c) evil (ethical)
רַע (ra) — bad: evil.
: evil
adj
1) bad, evil
1a) bad, disagreeable, malignant
1b) bad, unpleasant, evil (giving pain, unhappiness, misery)
1c) evil, displeasing
HNcfsa — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
ev'-'-l, e'-vil ra`; poneros, @kakos, @kakon:
In the Bible it is represented as moral and physical. We choose to discuss the subject under these heads. Many of the evils that come upon men have not been intended by those who suffer for them. Disease, individual and national calamity, drought, scarcity of food, may not always be charged to the account of intentional wrong. Many times the innocent suffer with, and even for, the guilty. In such cases, only physical evil is apparent. Even when the suffering has been occasioned by sin or dereliction of duty, whether the wrong is active or passive, many, perhaps the majority of those who are injured, are not accountable in any way for the ills which come upon them. Neither is God the author of moral evil. "God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempteth no man" (Jas 1:13).
→ APPEARANCE OF, TO BE AVOIDED Ro 14:1-23; 1Co 8:7-13; 10:28-33; 1Th 4:11,12; 5:22
→ INSTANCES OF
Paul, in refusing to eat what had been offered to idols 1Co 8:13
In supporting himself 1Co 9:7-23
שָׂנֵא (sane') is a primitive root meaning 'to hate.' It covers various forms of hatred, including personal animosity and enmity, and can refer to both humans and God. The word appears in different grammatical forms, with uses in Qal, Niphal, and Piel, indicating actions of hating or being hated. Its Aramaic equivalent is שְׂנָא.
שָׂנֵא 145 vb. hate
Qal 128 hate
Niph. is hated
Pi. enemy
base
H8130 שָׂנֵא hate
8130 sane' saw-nay'
a primitive root; to hate (personally):--enemy, foe, (be)
hate(-ful, -r), odious, X utterly.
שָׂנֵא (sa.ne) — to hate.
1) to hate, be hateful
1a) (Qal) to hate
1a1) of man
1a2) of God
1a3) hater, one hating, enemy (participle) (subst)
1b) (Niphal) to be hated
1c) (Piel) hater (participle)
1c1) of persons, nations, God, wisdom
Aramaic equivalent: se.ne (שְׂנָא "to hate" H8131)
HC/Vqrmpc — Conjunction · verb qal participle (active) masculine plural commonHC/Vqrmpc
צַדִּיק (tsaddiyq) means just or righteous, covering various aspects such as lawful behavior, moral conduct, and being justified by God. It is derived from a related root and is used to describe individuals who are upright in character and actions.
צַדִּיק 206 adj. just, righteous
base
H6662 צַדִּיק just, righteous
6662 tsaddiyq tsad-deek'
from 6663; just:--just, lawful, righteous (man).
see HEBREW for 06663
צַדִּיק (tsad.diq) — righteous.
1) just, lawful, righteous
1a) just, righteous (in government)
1b) just, right (in one's cause)
1c) just, righteous (in conduct and character)
1d) righteous (as justified and vindicated by God)
1e) right, correct, lawful
HAamsa — HAamsa
אָשַׁם (asham) means to offend or be guilty, covering actions like committing an offense or trespass. It can also imply suffering punishment or being declared guilty. The entries indicate that it can denote both personal guilt and the consequences of wrongdoing, with some nuances in how it is used in different grammatical forms.
אָשַׁם, אָשֵׁם vb. offend, be guilty
commit an offence, a trespass, do a wrong, or an injury
be or become guilty
be held guilty, bear punishment
Niph. suffer punishment
Hiph. declare them guilty
base
H816 אָשַׁם, אָשֵׁם offend, be guilty
816 'asham aw-sham'
or mashem {aw-shame'}; a primitive root; to be guilty; by
implication to be punished or perish:--X certainly, be(-come,
made) desolate, destroy, X greatly, be(-come, found, hold)
guilty, offend (acknowledge offence), trespass.
אָשַׁם (a.sham) — be guilty.
1) to offend, be guilty, trespass
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to do wrong, offend, trespass, commit an offense, do injury
1a2) to be or become guilty
1a3) to be held guilty
1a4) to be incriminated
1b) (Niphal) to suffer punishment
1c) (Hiphil) to declare guilty
2) (TWOT) to be desolate, acknowledge offense
HVqi3mp — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine pluralHVqi3mp
gil'-ti: In addition to the general discussion under GUILT (which see), several New Testament passages demand special notice because the word "guilty" is not used in the principal sense of blameworthy, but with one of the two lesser meanings noted above which go to make up the complete idea. In 3 of these passages the King James Version renders "guilty" and the Revised Version (British and American) gives another rendering. In Mt 26:66 the King James Version, Jesus' foes declare he is "guilty of death" (enochos, "liable to"). Here "guilty" simply means the one who is legally held, and the reference is not to the blame but to the consequence. This is a true use of the word in the lower and legal sense. It does not correspond with our higher usage, and so we have it in the Revised Version (British and American) "worthy of death." So…