Proverbs 2:22
But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.
Original Language Analysis
וּ֭רְשָׁעִים
But the wicked
H7563
וּ֭רְשָׁעִים
But the wicked
Strong's:
H7563
Word #:
1 of 6
morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
יִכָּרֵ֑תוּ
shall be cut off
H3772
יִכָּרֵ֑תוּ
shall be cut off
Strong's:
H3772
Word #:
3 of 6
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
וּ֝בוֹגְדִ֗ים
and the transgressors
H898
וּ֝בוֹגְדִ֗ים
and the transgressors
Strong's:
H898
Word #:
4 of 6
to cover (with a garment); figuratively, to act covertly; by implication, to pillage
Cross References
Psalms 52:5God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah.Psalms 37:28For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.Deuteronomy 7:22And the LORD thy God will put out those nations before thee by little and little: thou mayest not consume them at once, lest the beasts of the field increase upon thee.Psalms 145:20The LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy.Proverbs 10:30The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.
Historical Context
Echoes covenant curses in Deuteronomy 28-30 where rebellion resulted in exile from the land. Israel's history repeatedly confirmed this warning through Assyrian and Babylonian captivities.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the certainty of the wicked's ultimate removal affect your response to present injustice?
- What sins in your life need to be 'uprooted' before they result in your spiritual destruction?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Conversely, the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and transgressors shall be rooted out. The agricultural imagery of uprooting emphasizes total, violent removal. This is covenant curse - those who violate God's law forfeit His blessings. The principle applies temporally and eternally - persistent wickedness results in destruction. The verse warns that evil, however temporarily prosperous, has no lasting future.