Proverbs 11:19
As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death.
Original Language Analysis
כֵּן
H3651
כֵּן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
1 of 6
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
צְדָקָ֥ה
As righteousness
H6666
צְדָקָ֥ה
As righteousness
Strong's:
H6666
Word #:
2 of 6
rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)
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
וּמְרַדֵּ֖ף
so he that pursueth
H7291
וּמְרַדֵּ֖ף
so he that pursueth
Strong's:
H7291
Word #:
4 of 6
to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)
Cross References
Proverbs 10:16The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.Proverbs 19:23The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.Proverbs 12:28In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death.Proverbs 8:36But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.Acts 10:35But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.Proverbs 11:4Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.1 John 3:10In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.1 John 3:7Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.Romans 6:23For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Historical Context
Continues covenant theology's life-death binary. Deuteronomy presents this choice starkly - obedience brings life, rebellion brings death (Deut 30:15-20). All of life involves choosing between these paths.
Questions for Reflection
- What trajectory is your life currently on - toward life or toward death?
- How is pursuing particular sins actively pursuing your own destruction?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
As righteousness tends to life, so he that pursues evil pursues it to his own death. This verse presents two trajectories - righteousness toward life, evil toward death. Each path leads inexorably to its destination. Pursuing evil isn't neutral activity with risky outcomes but active pursuit of one's own death. The verse exposes the suicidal nature of sin - evil doesn't merely risk death but actively pursues it.