Proverbs 10:16
The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.
Original Language Analysis
לְחַיִּ֑ים
tendeth to life
H2416
לְחַיִּ֑ים
tendeth to life
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
תְּבוּאַ֖ת
the fruit
H8393
תְּבוּאַ֖ת
the fruit
Strong's:
H8393
Word #:
4 of 6
income, i.e., produce (literally or figuratively)
Cross References
Hebrews 6:10For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.Romans 6:23For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.1 Corinthians 15:58Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.John 6:27Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
Historical Context
Reflects covenant theology where obedience led to blessing which enabled more obedience, creating upward spiral. Conversely, sin led to curse which tempted more sin, creating downward spiral.
Questions for Reflection
- What patterns in your life are creating upward spirals toward life versus downward spirals toward sin?
- How can you interrupt destructive cycles and establish life-giving patterns?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The labor of the righteous tends to life, the fruit of the wicked to sin. Righteous work produces life-giving outcomes; wicked activity produces more sin. This verse presents a moral feedback loop - righteousness breeds more righteousness and life, wickedness breeds more wickedness and death. The principle applies both individually and socially - patterns of righteousness or wickedness become self-reinforcing.