Proverbs 8:36
But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.
Original Language Analysis
וְֽ֭חֹטְאִי
But he that sinneth
H2398
וְֽ֭חֹטְאִי
But he that sinneth
Strong's:
H2398
Word #:
1 of 7
properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
חֹמֵ֣ס
against me wrongeth
H2554
חֹמֵ֣ס
against me wrongeth
Strong's:
H2554
Word #:
2 of 7
to be violent; by implication, to maltreat
נַפְשׁ֑וֹ
his own soul
H5315
נַפְשׁ֑וֹ
his own soul
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
3 of 7
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 7
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
Proverbs 15:32He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.Proverbs 1:31Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.Proverbs 20:2The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.1 Corinthians 16:22If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.Proverbs 12:1Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.Hebrews 10:29Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?Ezekiel 18:31Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?Hebrews 2:3How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;Acts 13:46Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.Proverbs 21:6The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.
Historical Context
The covenant curse of death for disobedience (Deuteronomy 30:19) underlies this warning. Rejecting wisdom equals rejecting God Himself, incurring eternal consequences.
Questions for Reflection
- What areas of your life resist wisdom's correction, and what are the consequences?
- How does understanding sin's deadly nature motivate repentance and change?
Analysis & Commentary
Sin against wisdom is sin against one's own soul, bringing death. This stark contrast with verse 35 presents the ultimate choice: life or death, blessing or curse. Missing wisdom's mark (the Hebrew 'chata' means to miss) leads to self-destruction. All who hate wisdom embrace death, whether consciously or not.