Proverbs 24:20

Authorized King James Version

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For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.

Original Language Analysis

כִּ֤י׀ H3588
כִּ֤י׀
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 1 of 8
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹֽא H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 2 of 8
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִהְיֶ֣ה H1961
תִהְיֶ֣ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 3 of 8
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
אַחֲרִ֣ית For there shall be no reward H319
אַחֲרִ֣ית For there shall be no reward
Strong's: H319
Word #: 4 of 8
the last or end, hence, the future; also posterity
לָרָ֑ע to the evil H7451
לָרָ֑ע to the evil
Strong's: H7451
Word #: 5 of 8
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
נֵ֖ר man the candle H5216
נֵ֖ר man the candle
Strong's: H5216
Word #: 6 of 8
a lamp (i.e., the burner) or light (literally or figuratively)
רְשָׁעִ֣ים of the wicked H7563
רְשָׁעִ֣ים of the wicked
Strong's: H7563
Word #: 7 of 8
morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
יִדְעָֽךְ׃ shall be put out H1846
יִדְעָֽךְ׃ shall be put out
Strong's: H1846
Word #: 8 of 8
to be extinguished; figuratively, to expire or be dried up

Analysis & Commentary

This proverb describes the wicked's hopeless end. 'For there shall be no reward to the evil man' (כִּי לֹא־תִהְיֶה אַחֲרִית לָרָע/ki lo-tihyeh acharit lara, for there will be no future/end for the evil person) uses אַחֲרִית (acharit, end/outcome/future) indicating no hope beyond death. The wicked face eternal judgment, not reward. 'The candle of the wicked shall be put out' (נֵר רְשָׁעִים יִדְעָךְ/ner resha'im yid'akh, the lamp of the wicked will be extinguished) uses light as metaphor for life and prosperity. Job used similar imagery: 'the light of the wicked shall be put out' (Job 18:5). The wicked may prosper temporarily, but their light will be extinguished—life ended, legacy forgotten, joy terminated. This contrasts with the righteous: 'the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day' (Proverbs 4:18). Christ is the ultimate 'light of the world' (John 8:12), and believers are 'the light of the world' (Matthew 5:14).

Historical Context

Ancient lamps provided essential light in homes without modern illumination. A extinguished lamp meant darkness, danger, and inability to function. Thus 'lamp' symbolized life, prosperity, and legacy throughout Scripture. Job lamented: 'when his candle shined upon my head' (Job 29:3), recalling better days. Conversely, the wicked's lamp being put out depicted judgment: Babylon's lamp would cease (Jeremiah 25:10). Edom's lamp would be extinguished (Obadiah 1:18). In the New Testament, Jesus used lamp imagery in parables—the wise virgins kept oil; foolish ones ran out (Matthew 25:1-13). Revelation depicts churches as lampstands that Christ threatens to remove if they don't repent (Revelation 2:5). The new Jerusalem needs no lamp because God's glory illuminates it (Revelation 21:23). The righteous will shine 'as the stars for ever and ever' (Daniel 12:3); the wicked face darkness—hell, separation from God's light.

Questions for Reflection