Proverbs 4:16
For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 11
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
2 of 11
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִֽ֭שְׁנוּ
For they sleep
H3462
יִֽ֭שְׁנוּ
For they sleep
Strong's:
H3462
Word #:
3 of 11
properly, to be slack or languid, i.e., (by implication) sleep (figuratively, to die); also to grow old, stale or inveterate
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
4 of 11
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 11
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָרֵ֑עוּ
not except they have done mischief
H7489
יָרֵ֑עוּ
not except they have done mischief
Strong's:
H7489
Word #:
6 of 11
properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good for nothing, i.e., bad (physically, socially or morally)
וְֽנִגְזְלָ֥ה
is taken away
H1497
וְֽנִגְזְלָ֥ה
is taken away
Strong's:
H1497
Word #:
7 of 11
to pluck off; specifically to flay, strip or rob
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
9 of 11
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
Cross References
Psalms 36:4He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.Micah 2:1Woe to them that devise iniquity, and work evil upon their beds! when the morning is light, they practise it, because it is in the power of their hand.Isaiah 57:20But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt.Proverbs 1:16For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.2 Peter 2:14Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:
Historical Context
Scripture consistently portrays sin's progressive enslaving nature. Romans 6:16 teaches: 'to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are.' What starts as freedom from God's law ends as bondage to sin. Isaiah 5:18 describes those 'drawing iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope' - sin binds increasingly tightly.
Questions for Reflection
- What sins have progressed from occasional temptation to compulsive patterns in your life?
- How does recognizing sin's enslaving power motivate you to address it early?
- What hope does Christ offer for those enslaved by habitual wickedness?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The wicked cannot sleep until they do evil; their rest is taken away unless they cause someone to fall. This disturbing verse reveals sin's enslaving power - wickedness becomes compulsive. The Hebrew 'shena' (sleep) and 'tenuwa' (sleep/slumber) indicate rest that eludes the wicked until they satisfy evil desires. Sin progresses from temptation to action to addiction to compulsion. What begins as choice becomes slavery.