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Proverbs 24:16

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Proverbs 24:16 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For a righteous man falleth seven times, and riseth up again; But the wicked are overthrown by calamity.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For a righteous man falleth seven times, and riseth up again; But the wicked are overthrown by calamity.
Proverbs 24:16 — American Standard Version

Context — Proverbs 24

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
13My son, eat thou honey, for it is good; And the droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to thy taste:
14So shalt thou know wisdom to be unto thy soul; If thou hast found it, then shall there be a reward, And thy hope shall not be cut off.
15Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous; Destroy not his resting-place:
16For a righteous man falleth seven times, and riseth up again; But the wicked are overthrown by calamity.
17Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, And let not thy heart be glad when he is overthrown;
18Lest Jehovah see it, and it displease him, And he turn away his wrath from him.
19Fret not thyself because of evil-doers; Neither be thou envious at the wicked:
← Proverbs 24:15Proverbs 24:17 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“seven times--often, or many (Pro 6:16, Pro 6:31; Pro 9:1).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The teaching of the proverb warns men not to attack or plot against the righteous. They will lose their labor, “Though the just man fall (not into sin, but into calamities), yet he riseth up.” The point of the teaching is not the liability of good men to err, but God’s providential care over them (compare the margin reference). “Seven times” is a certain for an uncertain number (compare Job 5:19). In contrast with this is the fate of the evildoers, who fall utterly even in a single distress. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Falleth - Into calamities, of which he evidently speaks both in the foregoing verse, and in the following branch of this verse. Fall - Frequently into irrecoverable destruction. Proverbs 24:17”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“a just: Job 5:19; Psa 34:19, Psa 37:24; Mic 7:8-10; Co2 1:8-10, Co2 4:8-12, Co2 11:23-27 but: Pro 13:17, Pro 28:14-18; Sa1 26:10, Sa1 31:4; Est 7:10; Psa 7:16, Psa 52:5; Amo 5:2; Amo 8:14; Act 12:23; Th1 5:3; Rev 18:20, Rev 18:21 Proverbs 24:17”
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Related study paths

Read Proverbs 24 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification