Proverbs 24:2
For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief.
Original Language Analysis
כִּי
H3588
כִּי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 7
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יֶהְגֶּ֣ה
studieth
H1897
יֶהְגֶּ֣ה
studieth
Strong's:
H1897
Word #:
3 of 7
to murmur (in pleasure or anger); by implication, to ponder
לִבָּ֑ם
For their heart
H3820
לִבָּ֑ם
For their heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
4 of 7
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
וְ֝עָמָ֗ל
of mischief
H5999
וְ֝עָמָ֗ל
of mischief
Strong's:
H5999
Word #:
5 of 7
toil, i.e., wearing effort; hence, worry, whether of body or mind
Cross References
Psalms 7:14Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood.Psalms 10:7His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.Psalms 28:3Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts.Isaiah 59:4None calleth for justice, nor any pleadeth for truth: they trust in vanity, and speak lies; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity.Job 15:35They conceive mischief, and bring forth vanity, and their belly prepareth deceit.Acts 13:10And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?1 Samuel 23:9And David knew that Saul secretly practised mischief against him; and he said to Abiathar the priest, Bring hither the ephod.
Historical Context
Wicked counselors in Israel's history (like those advising Rehoboam in 1 Kings 12) led to national disaster. The company one kept determined one's trajectory toward wisdom or folly.
Questions for Reflection
- What influences are you allowing into your life through associations and media?
- How do you recognize when someone's constant focus is on destruction and mischief?
- What boundaries do you need to establish to protect yourself from corrupting influences?
Analysis & Commentary
The wicked's heart 'studieth destruction' and their lips 'talk of mischief.' The Hebrew 'hagah' (studieth/meditates) describes deliberate focus. The wicked don't fall into evil accidentally; they plot it. Their speech reveals their hearts—constant talk of 'amal' (mischief/trouble). This describes the unregenerate heart actively opposing God. Reformed theology's doctrine of total depravity affirms that apart from grace, humans are bent toward evil. Association with such people invites corruption. As 1 Corinthians 15:33 warns, 'evil communications corrupt good manners.'