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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/proverbs/21.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/proverbs/21.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Whoever strays from the path of prudence comes to rest in the company of the dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/21.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The person who strays from common sense will end up in the company of the dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/21.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />One who wanders from the way of good sense will rest in the assembly of the dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The man who strays from the path of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/21.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />A man who wanders from the way of understanding Will rest in the assembly of the dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />A person who wanders from the way of understanding Will rest in the assembly of the dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />A man who wanders from the way of understanding Will rest in the assembly of the dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />A man who wanders from the way of understanding Will rest in the assembly of the dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />A man who wanders from the way of insight Will rest in the assembly of the dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />A man who wanders from the way of understanding (godly wisdom) Will remain in the assembly of the dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The person who strays from the way of prudence will come to rest in the assembly of the departed spirits.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The man who strays from the way of wisdom will come to rest in the assembly of the departed spirits. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding Shall rest in the assembly of the dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />If you stop using good sense, you will find yourself in the grave. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall rest in the congregation of the dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />A person who wanders from the way of wise behavior will rest in the assembly of the dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Death is waiting for anyone who wanders away from good sense. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Whoever wanders from the path of understanding will end up where the dead are gathered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The man who strays from the path of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The one who wanders from the way of wisdom will end up in the company of the departed. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall rest in the assembly of the dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The man who wanders out of the way of understanding shall rest in the assembly of the departed spirits. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />A man who is wandering from the way of understanding, "" Rests in an assembly of Rephaim.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> A man who is wandering from the way of understanding, In an assembly of Rephaim resteth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />A man wandering from the way of understanding shall rest in the convocation of the shades.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />A man that shall wander out of the way of doctrine, shall abide in the company of the giants. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />A man who wanders astray from the way of doctrine will linger in the company of the giants.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Whoever strays from the way of good sense will abide in the assembly of the shades. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Whoever wanders from the way of understanding will rest in the assembly of the dead.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />The man who wanders from the way of understanding shall lie in the congregation of the dead.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />A son of man that strays from the way of understanding will descend with the children of the Earth.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />The man that strayeth out of the way of understanding Shall rest in the congregation of the shades.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />A man that wanders out of the way of righteousness, shall rest in the congregation of giants.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/21-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=4261" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/21.htm">The King's Heart</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">15</span>Justice executed is a joy to the righteous, but a terror to the workers of iniquity. <span class="reftext">16</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/120.htm" title="120: ’ā·ḏām (N-ms) -- Man, mankind. From 'adam; ruddy i.e. A human being.">The man</a> <a href="/hebrew/8582.htm" title="8582: tō·w·‘eh (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To err. A primitive root; to vacillate, i.e. Reel or stray; also causative of both.">who strays</a> <a href="/hebrew/1870.htm" title="1870: mid·de·reḵ (Prep-m:: N-csc) -- Way, road, distance, journey, manner. From darak; a road; figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb.">from the path</a> <a href="/hebrew/7919.htm" title="7919: haś·kêl (V-Hifil-InfAbs) -- To be, circumspect, intelligent. A primitive root; to be circumspect and hence, intelligent.">of understanding</a> <a href="/hebrew/5117.htm" title="5117: yā·nū·aḥ (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To rest, i.e. settle down">will rest</a> <a href="/hebrew/6951.htm" title="6951: biq·hal (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- Assembly, convocation, congregation. From qahal; assemblage.">in the assembly</a> <a href="/hebrew/7496.htm" title="7496: rə·p̄ā·’îm (N-mp) -- Shades, ghosts. From rapha' in the sense of raphah; properly, lax, i.e. a ghost.">of the dead.</a> </span><span class="reftext">17</span>He who loves pleasure will become poor; the one who loves wine and oil will never be rich.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-13.htm">Matthew 7:13-14</a></span><br />Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. / But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/1-1.htm">Psalm 1:1-6</a></span><br />Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers. / But his delight is in the Law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night. / He is like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/15-14.htm">Matthew 15:14</a></span><br />Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/53-6.htm">Isaiah 53:6</a></span><br />We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/3-19.htm">John 3:19-20</a></span><br />And this is the verdict: The Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light because their deeds were evil. / Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-21.htm">Romans 1:21-22</a></span><br />For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts. / Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/2-15.htm">2 Peter 2:15</a></span><br />They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/6-16.htm">Jeremiah 6:16</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says: “Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths: ‘Where is the good way?’ Then walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it!’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/4-18.htm">Ephesians 4:18</a></span><br />They are darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/6-9.htm">1 Timothy 6:9-10</a></span><br />Those who want to be rich, however, fall into temptation and become ensnared by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. / For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/30-21.htm">Isaiah 30:21</a></span><br />And whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command behind you: “This is the way. Walk in it.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/3-10.htm">Hebrews 3:10</a></span><br />Therefore I was angry with that generation, and I said, ‘Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known My ways.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/4-4.htm">2 Timothy 4:4</a></span><br />So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/14-12.htm">Proverbs 14:12</a></span><br />There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/4-6.htm">Hosea 4:6</a></span><br />My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The man that wanders out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.</p><p class="hdg">wandereth</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/13-20.htm">Proverbs 13:20</a></b></br> He that walketh with wise <i>men</i> shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/125-5.htm">Psalm 125:5</a></b></br> As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: <i>but</i> peace <i>shall be</i> upon Israel.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/zephaniah/1-6.htm">Zephaniah 1:6</a></b></br> And them that are turned back from the LORD; and <i>those</i> that have not sought the LORD, nor inquired for him.</p><p class="hdg">remain</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/2-18.htm">Proverbs 2:18,19</a></b></br> For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/7-26.htm">Proverbs 7:26,27</a></b></br> For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong <i>men</i> have been slain by her… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/9-18.htm">Proverbs 9:18</a></b></br> But he knoweth not that the dead <i>are</i> there; <i>and that</i> her guests <i>are</i> in the depths of hell.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/19-23.htm">Abide</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-14.htm">Assembly</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-9.htm">Company</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-14.htm">Congregation</a> <a href="/proverbs/9-18.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-29.htm">Path</a> <a href="/proverbs/9-18.htm">Rephaim</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-23.htm">Rest</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-33.htm">Resteth</a> <a href="/proverbs/14-33.htm">Resting-Place</a> <a href="/proverbs/9-18.htm">Shades</a> <a href="/james/5-19.htm">Strays</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-11.htm">Understanding</a> <a href="/job/31-19.htm">Wanderer</a> <a href="/job/15-23.htm">Wandereth</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-25.htm">Wandering</a> <a href="/job/18-8.htm">Wanders</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-8.htm">Way</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-11.htm">Wisdom</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/8-15.htm">Abide</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-7.htm">Assembly</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-24.htm">Company</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-26.htm">Congregation</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-2.htm">Dead</a> <a href="/proverbs/22-5.htm">Path</a> <a href="/isaiah/17-5.htm">Rephaim</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-34.htm">Rest</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/7-9.htm">Resteth</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-15.htm">Resting-Place</a> <a href="/isaiah/9-2.htm">Shades</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-8.htm">Strays</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-30.htm">Understanding</a> <a href="/isaiah/16-3.htm">Wanderer</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-8.htm">Wandereth</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-2.htm">Wandering</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-8.htm">Wanders</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-29.htm">Way</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-30.htm">Wisdom</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 21</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/21-1.htm">The king's heart in the hand of the Lord</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/21.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/proverbs/21.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>The man who strays from the path of understanding</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the importance of wisdom and understanding, which are central themes in the book of Proverbs. The "path of understanding" refers to living according to God's wisdom and commandments. In biblical context, straying from this path is akin to rejecting divine guidance, as seen in <a href="/proverbs/3-5.htm">Proverbs 3:5-6</a>, which advises trusting in the Lord and not leaning on one's own understanding. Historically, the Israelites were often warned against following the ways of surrounding nations, which led them away from God's laws (<a href="/deuteronomy/12-30.htm">Deuteronomy 12:30-31</a>). The concept of a "path" is a common metaphor in Scripture, symbolizing one's life journey and moral choices.<p><b>will rest in the assembly of the dead</b><br>This phrase serves as a stark warning about the consequences of abandoning wisdom. The "assembly of the dead" can be understood as Sheol, the Hebrew term for the grave or the abode of the dead, often depicted as a place of darkness and separation from God (<a href="/psalms/88-3.htm">Psalm 88:3-5</a>). In the cultural context of ancient Israel, death was not only a physical end but also a spiritual separation from the community of the living and from God's presence. This imagery underscores the seriousness of turning away from God's wisdom, as it leads to spiritual death and eternal separation from God, echoing the warnings found in <a href="/proverbs/14-12.htm">Proverbs 14:12</a> and <a href="/romans/6-23.htm">Romans 6:23</a>. Theologically, this can be seen as a foreshadowing of the ultimate judgment and the need for redemption through Jesus Christ, who offers life and understanding to those who follow Him (<a href="/john/14-6.htm">John 14:6</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_man.htm">The Man</a></b><br>Represents any individual who chooses to deviate from wisdom and understanding.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/p/path_of_understanding.htm">Path of Understanding</a></b><br>Symbolizes the way of wisdom, righteousness, and adherence to God's teachings.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/a/assembly_of_the_dead.htm">Assembly of the Dead</a></b><br>A metaphorical place representing spiritual death or separation from God, often associated with Sheol in Hebrew thought.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_staying_on_the_path.htm">The Importance of Staying on the Path</a></b><br>Straying from the path of understanding leads to spiritual death. It is crucial to remain committed to God's wisdom and guidance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_ignorance.htm">Consequences of Ignorance</a></b><br>Ignorance or rejection of divine wisdom results in separation from God, akin to being among the spiritually dead.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/pursuit_of_wisdom.htm">Pursuit of Wisdom</a></b><br>Actively seek wisdom through prayer, study of Scripture, and fellowship with other believers to avoid straying.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/guarding_against_deception.htm">Guarding Against Deception</a></b><br>Be vigilant against teachings or influences that lead away from the truth of God's Word.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_and_accountability.htm">Community and Accountability</a></b><br>Engage with a community of believers to encourage one another in staying on the path of understanding.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_21.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 21</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_the_definition_of_actual_grace.htm">How can a young man purify his path?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_ecclesiastes_10_2_culturally_biased.htm">Does the association of the wise with the 'right' and fools with the 'left' (Ecclesiastes 10:2) reflect outdated cultural biases, and how does it align with modern moral or ethical views?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_god's_prediction_negate_free_will.htm">Does God's prediction of Israel's rebellion (Deut. 31:16) conflict with the principle of free will, implying a predetermined outcome?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_proverbs_6_20-35_focus_on_adultery.htm">Why does Proverbs 6:20-35 focus so intensely on adultery and lust but offer little instruction on other pressing moral or societal issues?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/21.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(16) <span class= "bld">Shall remain in the congregation of the dead.</span>--Described in <a href="/isaiah/14-9.htm" title="Hell from beneath is moved for you to meet you at your coming: it stirs up the dead for you, even all the chief ones of the earth; it has raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations.">Isaiah 14:9</a>; he shall not take part in the resurrection of <a href="/isaiah/26-19.htm" title="Your dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, you that dwell in dust: for your dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.">Isaiah 26:19</a>. A prophecy of retribution after death.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/21.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 16.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding</span>. (For <span class="hebrew">הַשְׂכֵּל</span>, "understanding," see note on Proverbs 1:3.) He who forsakes the way of wisdom, the path of virtue, the religious life, and thus becomes in proverbial language "a fool," <span class="cmt_word">he shall remain</span> (<span class="accented">rest, dwell</span>) <span class="accented"><span class="cmt_word"></span>in the congregation of the dead</span>; <span class="accented">in coetu gigantum commorabitur.</span> "The dead" is, in the Hebrew, <span class="accented">rephaim</span>, for which see note on Proverbs 2:18. The denunciation means primarily that the sinner shall soon be with the shades of the dead, shall meet with a speedy death. Wordsworth considers that the writer is saying in bitter irony that the evil man shall rest as a guest at a banquet, shall lie down and be regaled, but it will be in the company of the dead. The contrast seems to lie between the wandering and the rest, and this rest is regarded as penal; so that one must needs see here an intimation of retribution after death; and setup, <a href="/proverbs/24-14.htm">Proverbs 24:14, 20</a>. The Fathers regarded the <span class="accented">Rephaim</span>, "the giants," as the descendants of the rebel angels, in accordance with their interpretation of <a href="/genesis/6-1.htm">Genesis 6:1-4</a>. Thus St. Gregory writes ('Moral.' 17:30), quoting our passage, "For whosoever forsakes the way of righteousness, to whose number does he join himself, saving to the number of the proud spirits?" <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/21-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">The man</span><br /><span class="heb">אָדָ֗ם</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḏām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_120.htm">Strong's 120: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ruddy, a human being</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who strays</span><br /><span class="heb">תּ֭וֹעֶה</span> <span class="translit">(tō·w·‘eh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8582.htm">Strong's 8582: </a> </span><span class="str2">To vacillate, reel, stray</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from the path</span><br /><span class="heb">מִדֶּ֣רֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(mid·de·reḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - common singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1870.htm">Strong's 1870: </a> </span><span class="str2">A road, a course of life, mode of action</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of understanding</span><br /><span class="heb">הַשְׂכֵּ֑ל</span> <span class="translit">(haś·kêl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7919.htm">Strong's 7919: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be, circumspect, intelligent</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will rest</span><br /><span class="heb">יָנֽוּחַ׃</span> <span class="translit">(yā·nū·aḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5117.htm">Strong's 5117: </a> </span><span class="str2">To rest, settle down</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in the assembly</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּקְהַ֖ל</span> <span class="translit">(biq·hal)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6951.htm">Strong's 6951: </a> </span><span class="str2">Assembly, convocation, congregation</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the dead.</span><br /><span class="heb">רְפָאִ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(rə·p̄ā·’îm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7496.htm">Strong's 7496: </a> </span><span class="str2">Shades, ghosts</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/21-16.htm">Proverbs 21:16 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/21-16.htm">Proverbs 21:16 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/21-16.htm">Proverbs 21:16 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/21-16.htm">Proverbs 21:16 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/21-16.htm">Proverbs 21:16 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/21-16.htm">Proverbs 21:16 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/21-16.htm">Proverbs 21:16 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/21-16.htm">Proverbs 21:16 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/21-16.htm">Proverbs 21:16 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/21-16.htm">Proverbs 21:16 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/21-16.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 21:16 The man who wanders out (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/21-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 21:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 21:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/21-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 21:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 21:17" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>