Proverbs 1:12
Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:
Original Language Analysis
נִ֭בְלָעֵם
Let us swallow them up
H1104
נִ֭בְלָעֵם
Let us swallow them up
Strong's:
H1104
Word #:
1 of 6
to make away with (specifically by swallowing); generally, to destroy
כִּשְׁא֣וֹל
as the grave
H7585
כִּשְׁא֣וֹל
as the grave
Strong's:
H7585
Word #:
2 of 6
hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories and inmates
חַיִּ֑ים
alive
H2416
חַיִּ֑ים
alive
Strong's:
H2416
Word #:
3 of 6
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
וּ֝תְמִימִ֗ים
and whole
H8549
וּ֝תְמִימִ֗ים
and whole
Strong's:
H8549
Word #:
4 of 6
entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also (as noun) integrity, truth
Cross References
Psalms 28:1Unto thee will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit.Psalms 124:3Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us:Romans 3:13Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:
Historical Context
The 'grave' (Sheol) in Hebrew thought represented the realm of the dead, often pictured as a pit or consuming mouth. References to going down 'alive' may allude to Korah's rebellion (Numbers 16:30-33) where earth swallowed rebels alive. This catastrophic judgment became proverbial for sudden, total destruction. Ancient readers would immediately recognize the theological overtones of divine judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the grave/pit imagery remind us that temporal sin has eternal consequences?
- What does the complete consumption metaphor teach us about sin's insatiable nature—it's never satisfied?
Analysis & Commentary
The enticement continues with vivid imagery: 'swallow them up alive as the grave.' This compares victims to those going down alive into Sheol, emphasizing sudden, complete destruction. The phrase 'whole, as those that go down into the pit' pictures violent death's totality. This exposes greed's insatiable appetite—it consumes victims entirely. The imagery prefigures Hell's eternal destruction, showing temporal sin reflects eternal realities. Unrepentant greed leads to the ultimate pit.