Proverbs 24:1
Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.
Original Language Analysis
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
1 of 8
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תְּ֭קַנֵּא
Be not thou envious
H7065
תְּ֭קַנֵּא
Be not thou envious
Strong's:
H7065
Word #:
2 of 8
to be (causatively, make) zealous, i.e., (in a bad sense) jealous or envious
בְּאַנְשֵׁ֣י
H376
בְּאַנְשֵׁ֣י
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
3 of 8
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
וְאַל
H408
וְאַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
5 of 8
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
Cross References
Proverbs 3:31Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.Psalms 37:7Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.Proverbs 23:17Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long.Psalms 37:1Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.Psalms 73:3For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.Proverbs 13:20He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.Psalms 26:9Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men:Proverbs 24:19Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked;
Historical Context
Israel repeatedly saw wicked neighbors prosper while remaining faithful seemed costly. Prophets and psalms addressed this perennial temptation to envy the wicked rather than trust God's justice.
Questions for Reflection
- Do you envy those who prosper through unrighteous means?
- How does eternal perspective help you resist envy of temporal, ill-gotten success?
- What does desiring the company of the wicked reveal about your values?
Analysis & Commentary
Don't be 'envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.' Envy (Hebrew 'qana') of the wicked is foolish—they may prosper temporarily, but judgment awaits. Desiring their company compounds the error by embracing their values and practices. Reformed theology warns against envying worldly success gained through wickedness. Psalm 73 expresses this temptation and its resolution—the wicked's prosperity is temporary, their end destruction. We must not desire what they have or who they are.