Proverbs 21:7
The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment.
Original Language Analysis
רְשָׁעִ֥ים
of the wicked
H7563
רְשָׁעִ֥ים
of the wicked
Strong's:
H7563
Word #:
2 of 7
morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
יְגוֹרֵ֑ם
shall destroy
H1641
יְגוֹרֵ֑ם
shall destroy
Strong's:
H1641
Word #:
3 of 7
to drag off roughly; by implication, to bring up the cud (i.e., ruminate); by analogy, to saw
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
4 of 7
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Historical Context
Israel's history showed violent rulers brought down by violence—Absalom's rebellion against David, Zimri's assassination and quick demise, and foreign invasions resulting from covenant unfaithfulness.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you see violence and injustice bringing consequences upon those who practice them?
- In what ways might you be sowing seeds of violence or injustice that will yield destructive harvests?
- What does it mean to 'do judgment' in your sphere of influence?
Analysis & Commentary
The wicked's violence 'shall destroy them' because they refuse to do judgment. The Hebrew 'shadad' (destroy/devastate) and 'garar' (drag away) suggest being swept away by consequences of their own violence. Reformed theology's doctrine of God's justice affirms that sin carries intrinsic consequences. Those who live by the sword die by it (Matthew 26:52). The wicked's refusal to practice justice ('mishpat') results in being destroyed by their own injustice. This is both natural consequence and divine judgment.