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Proverbs 24:21

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Proverbs 24:21 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “My son, fear thou Jehovah and the king; [And] company not with them that are given to change:” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

My son, fear thou Jehovah and the king; [And] company not with them that are given to change:
Proverbs 24:21 — American Standard Version

Context — Proverbs 24

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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:
20For there shall be no reward to the evil man; The lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
21My son, fear thou Jehovah and the king; [And] company not with them that are given to change:
22For their calamity shall rise suddenly; And the destruction from them both, who knoweth it?
23These also are [sayings] of the wise. To have respect of persons in judgment is not good.
24He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; Peoples shall curse him, nations shall abhor him:
← Proverbs 24:20Proverbs 24:22 →
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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
“A warning against impiety and resistance to lawful rule (Rom 13:1-7; Pe1 2:17). meddle . . . change--(Compare Margin), literally, "mingle not yourself," avoid the society of restless persons.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Them that are given to change - Those that seek to set aside the worship of the true God, or the authority of the true king, who represents Him. 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
“To change - That are unstable in their obedience to God or to the king. Proverbs 24:22”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“24:21-22 Saying 30: The king is associated with the Lord, reflecting his power and sovereignty on the earth (see 1 Sam 12; Ps 2).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“fear: Exo 14:31; Sa1 24:6; Ecc 8:2-5; Mat 22:21; Rom 13:1-7; Tit 3:1; Pe1 2:13-17 meddle: Num 16:1-3; Sa1 8:5-7, Sa1 12:12-19; 2Sam. 15:13-37; Kg1 12:16 given to change: Heb. changers Proverbs 24:22”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“A warning against rebellious thoughts against God and the king: 21 My son, honour Jahve and the king, And involve not thyself with those who are otherwise disposed; 22 For suddenly their calamity ariseth, And the end of their years, who knoweth it? The verb שׁנה, proceeding from the primary idea of folding (complicare, duplicare), signifies transitively to do twice, to repeat, Pro 17:9; Pro 26:11, according to which Kimchi here inappropriately thinks on relapsing; and intransitively, to change, to be different, Est 1:7; Est 3:8. The Syr. and Targ. translate the word שׁטיי, fools; but the Kal (טעמו) שׁנה occurs, indeed, in the Syr., but not in the Heb., in the meaning alienata est (mens…”
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Related study paths

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

Sources and verification