Proverbs 24:29

Authorized King James Version

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Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.

Original Language Analysis

אַל H408
אַל
Strong's: H408
Word #: 1 of 11
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תֹּאמַ֗ר Say H559
תֹּאמַ֗ר Say
Strong's: H559
Word #: 2 of 11
to say (used with great latitude)
כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר H834
כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 3 of 11
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אֶֽעֱשֶׂה not I will do H6213
אֶֽעֱשֶׂה not I will do
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 4 of 11
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
לִ֭י H0
לִ֭י
Strong's: H0
Word #: 5 of 11
כֵּ֤ן H3651
כֵּ֤ן
Strong's: H3651
Word #: 6 of 11
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
אֶֽעֱשֶׂה not I will do H6213
אֶֽעֱשֶׂה not I will do
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 7 of 11
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
לּ֑וֹ H0
לּ֑וֹ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 8 of 11
אָשִׁ֖יב to me I will render H7725
אָשִׁ֖יב to me I will render
Strong's: H7725
Word #: 9 of 11
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
לָאִ֣ישׁ to the man H376
לָאִ֣ישׁ to the man
Strong's: H376
Word #: 10 of 11
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)
כְּפָעֳלֽוֹ׃ according to his work H6467
כְּפָעֳלֽוֹ׃ according to his work
Strong's: H6467
Word #: 11 of 11
an act or work (concretely)

Analysis & Commentary

This proverb warns against personal vengeance. 'Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me' (אַל־תֹּאמַר כַּאֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה־לִי כֵּן אֶעֱשֶׂה־לּוֹ/al-tomar ka'asher asah-li khen e'eseh-lo, do not say, 'as he did to me, so I will do to him') forbids tit-for-tat retaliation. 'I will render to the man according to his work' (אָשִׁיב לָאִישׁ כְּפָעֳלוֹ/ashiv la'ish kefa'olo, I will return to the man according to his deed) quotes the retaliatory mindset. The Mosaic law's 'eye for eye' (Exodus 21:24) was judicial principle limiting punishment, not personal license for revenge. Jesus explicitly rejected personal retaliation: 'resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also' (Matthew 5:39). Paul commanded: 'Recompense to no man evil for evil... Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord' (Romans 12:17, 19). Christians must entrust justice to God, refusing personal vengeance.

Historical Context

Ancient honor-shame cultures practiced blood revenge—family members avenged wrongs against relatives, creating endless feuds. The law of Moses both acknowledged this reality (cities of refuge, Numbers 35) and sought to limit it through judicial process. Personal vengeance threatened social stability—the Hatfields and McCoys feud illustrates how retaliation escalates. Jesus's teaching radically challenged cultural norms. In a society where turning the other cheek appeared cowardly, Jesus called believers to trust God for vindication rather than seizing personal revenge. Early Christians faced mockery, persecution, and martyrdom without retaliating. Their refusal to seek revenge puzzled and eventually influenced pagan observers. Church history shows both examples (forgiveness of persecutors) and counter-examples (Christians seeking revenge) of this principle. The gospel transforms the revenge instinct into trust in God's justice and pursuit of reconciliation.

Questions for Reflection