Proverbs 21:16
The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
Original Language Analysis
אָדָ֗ם
The man
H120
אָדָ֗ם
The man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
1 of 7
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
תּ֭וֹעֶה
that wandereth
H8582
תּ֭וֹעֶה
that wandereth
Strong's:
H8582
Word #:
2 of 7
to vacillate, i.e., reel or stray (literally or figuratively); also causative of both
מִדֶּ֣רֶךְ
out of the way
H1870
מִדֶּ֣רֶךְ
out of the way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
3 of 7
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
הַשְׂכֵּ֑ל
of understanding
H7919
הַשְׂכֵּ֑ל
of understanding
Strong's:
H7919
Word #:
4 of 7
to be (causatively, make or act) circumspect and hence, intelligent
Cross References
Hebrews 10:38Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.Psalms 49:14Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling.Psalms 125:5As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: but peace shall be upon Israel.
Historical Context
Hebrew thought associated Sheol with the gathered dead. While Old Testament revelation about the afterlife was less developed than New Testament teaching, the reality of conscious existence after death and judgment was affirmed.
Questions for Reflection
- Are you walking in the way of understanding, or have you wandered from wisdom's path?
- What specific areas of life reveal you're drifting from biblical wisdom?
Analysis & Commentary
The person who 'wandereth out of the way of understanding' departs from wisdom's path. The consequence is dwelling 'in the congregation of the dead'—spiritual death and ultimate damnation. Understanding here means not mere intellectual knowledge but living wisdom that fears God and follows His ways. To wander from this path is to embrace folly and death. The imagery of 'congregation of the dead' (Hebrew 'repha'im,' shades/departed spirits) depicts the final state of the wicked. This isn't unconsciousness but conscious existence in the realm of death, separated from God's life. The warning is stark: persist in folly and you will join the damned. Conversely, remain in the way of understanding and you will have life.