Proverbs 6:15
Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.
Original Language Analysis
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
1 of 9
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כֵּ֗ן
H3651
כֵּ֗ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
2 of 9
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
אֵיד֑וֹ
Therefore shall his calamity
H343
אֵיד֑וֹ
Therefore shall his calamity
Strong's:
H343
Word #:
5 of 9
oppression; by implication misfortune, ruin
פֶּ֥תַע
suddenly
H6621
פֶּ֥תַע
suddenly
Strong's:
H6621
Word #:
6 of 9
a wink, i.e., moment (used only [with or without preposition] adverbially, quickly or unexpectedly)
וְאֵ֣ין
H369
Cross References
Jeremiah 19:11And shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Even so will I break this people and this city, as one breaketh a potter's vessel, that cannot be made whole again: and they shall bury them in Tophet, till there be no place to bury.2 Chronicles 36:16But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy.1 Thessalonians 5:3For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.Proverbs 1:27When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.
Historical Context
Biblical history demonstrates this pattern: Noah's flood, Sodom/Gomorrah's fire, Korah's earth-swallowing, Ananias/Sapphira's death - all came suddenly after persistent sin. Second Peter 3:9-10 teaches God's patience shouldn't be mistaken for inaction: 'The Lord...is longsuffering...not willing that any should perish...But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night.'
Questions for Reflection
- What persistent sins might be bringing you toward sudden calamity without remedy?
- How does God's current patience relate to potential future judgment?
- What repentance might prevent sudden destruction that's otherwise inevitable?
Analysis & Commentary
Calamity will come suddenly; in a moment he'll be destroyed without remedy. The Hebrew 'peta' (suddenly/instant) and 'sheber' (breaking/destruction) describe catastrophic judgment arriving without warning. 'No remedy' ('ein marpeh') indicates irreversible ruin. This verse warns that divine patience has limits. God endures long, but judgment eventually falls decisively. Presuming on patience leads to sudden destruction.