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their words are a destructive blaze.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/16.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/16.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />A worthless man digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/16.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips <i>there is</i> as a burning fire.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/16.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />An ungodly man digs up evil, And <i>it is</i> on his lips like a burning fire.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/16.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />A worthless person digs up evil, While his words are like scorching fire.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/16.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />A worthless man digs up evil, While his words are like scorching fire.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/16.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />A worthless man digs up evil, While his words are as a scorching fire.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/16.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />A vile man digs up evil, And <i>the words</i> on his lips are like scorching fire.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/16.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />A worthless man devises <i>and</i> digs up evil, And the words on his lips are like a scorching fire.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/16.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A worthless person digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/16.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />A worthless man digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/16.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />A worthless man deviseth mischief; And in his lips there is as a scorching fire.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/16.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Worthless people plan trouble. Even their words burn like a flaming fire. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/16.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />A worthless man deviseth mischief: and in his lips there is as a scorching fire.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/16.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />A worthless person plots trouble, and his speech is like a burning fire.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/16.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Evil people look for ways to harm others; even their words burn with evil. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/16.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />A worthless person concocts evil gossip — his lips are like a burning fire.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/16.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />A worthless man digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/16.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />A wicked scoundrel digs up evil, and his slander is like a scorching fire. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/16.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />A worthless man devises mischief. His speech is like a scorching fire.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/16.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/16.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />A worthless man devises mischief. His speech is like a scorching fire. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/16.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />A worthless man is preparing evil, "" And on his lips [is] as a burning fire.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/16.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> A worthless man is preparing evil, And on his lips -- as a burning fire.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/16.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />A man of Belial dug up evil, and upon his lips, as a burning fire.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/16.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The wicked man diggeth evil, and in his lips is a burning fire. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/16.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />The impious man digs up evil, and in his lips is a burning fire.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/16.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Scoundrels are a furnace of evil, and their lips are like a scorching fire. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/16.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Scoundrels concoct evil, and their speech is like a scorching fire.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/16.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />An ungodly man devises evil; out of his mouth issues a burning fire.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/16.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />An evil man forges evil and fire burns from his mouth.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/16.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />An ungodly man diggeth up evil, And in his lips there is as a burning fire.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/16.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />But the perverse bears destruction upon his own mouth: a foolish man digs up evil for himself, and treasures fire on his own lips.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/16-27.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=3244" 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/16.htm">The Reply of the Tongue is from the LORD</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">26</span>A worker’s appetite works for him because his hunger drives him onward. <span class="reftext">27</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1100.htm" title="1100: bə·lî·ya·‘al (N-ms) -- Worthlessness. From bliy and ya'al; without profit, worthlessness; by extension, destruction, wickedness.">A worthless</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-msc) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">man</a> <a href="/hebrew/3738.htm" title="3738: kō·reh (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To dig, to plot, to bore, open. A primitive root; properly, to dig; figuratively, to plot; generally, to bore or open.">digs up</a> <a href="/hebrew/7451.htm" title="7451: rā·‘āh (Adj-fs) -- Bad, evil. From ra'a'; bad or evil.">evil,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: wə·‘al- (Conj-w:: Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8193.htm" title="8193: śə·p̄å̄·ṯå̄w (N-fsc:: 3ms) -- Or sepheth; probably from caphah or shaphah through the idea of termination; the lip; by implication, language; by analogy, a margin.">and his speech</a> <a href="/hebrew/6867.htm" title="6867: ṣā·rā·ḇeṯ (Adj-fs) -- Scab, scar (of a sore). From Tsaw'ar; conflagration.">is like a scorching</a> <a href="/hebrew/784.htm" title="784: kə·’êš (Prep-k:: N-cs) -- A fire. A primitive word; fire.">fire.</a> </span><span class="reftext">28</span>A perverse man spreads dissension, and a gossip divides close friends.…<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="/james/3-6.htm">James 3:6</a></span><br />The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/12-34.htm">Matthew 12:34-37</a></span><br />You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. / The good man brings good things out of his good store of treasure, and the evil man brings evil things out of his evil store of treasure. / But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/4-29.htm">Ephesians 4:29</a></span><br />Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-26.htm">James 1:26</a></span><br />If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/3-13.htm">Romans 3:13-14</a></span><br />“Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The venom of vipers is on their lips.” / “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/52-2.htm">Psalm 52:2-4</a></span><br />Your tongue devises destruction like a sharpened razor, O worker of deceit. / You love evil more than good, falsehood more than speaking truth. Selah / You love every word that devours, O deceitful tongue.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/6-12.htm">Proverbs 6:12-15</a></span><br />A worthless person, a wicked man, walks with a perverse mouth, / winking his eyes, speaking with his feet, and pointing with his fingers. / With deceit in his heart he devises evil; he continually sows discord. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/10-18.htm">Proverbs 10:18</a></span><br />The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/11-9.htm">Proverbs 11:9</a></span><br />With his mouth the ungodly man destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous are rescued.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/12-18.htm">Proverbs 12:18</a></span><br />Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/15-28.htm">Proverbs 15:28</a></span><br />The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/26-20.htm">Proverbs 26:20-21</a></span><br />Without wood, a fire goes out; without gossip, a conflict ceases. / Like charcoal for embers and wood for fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/26-23.htm">Proverbs 26:23-28</a></span><br />Like glaze covering an earthen vessel are burning lips and a wicked heart. / A hateful man disguises himself with his speech, but he lays up deceit in his heart. / When he speaks graciously, do not believe him, for seven abominations fill his heart. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/59-3.htm">Isaiah 59:3-4</a></span><br />For your hands are stained with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, and your tongue mutters injustice. / No one calls for justice; no one pleads his case honestly. They rely on empty pleas; they tell lies; they conceive mischief and give birth to iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/9-3.htm">Jeremiah 9:3-8</a></span><br />“They bend their tongues like bows; lies prevail over truth in the land. For they proceed from evil to evil, and they do not take Me into account,” declares the LORD. / “Let everyone guard against his neighbor; do not trust any brother, for every brother deals craftily, and every friend spreads slander. / Each one betrays his friend; no one tells the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they wear themselves out committing iniquity. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">An ungodly man digs up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.</p><p class="hdg">an ungodly man a man of Belial</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/25-17.htm">1 Samuel 25:17</a></b></br> Now therefore know and consider what thou wilt do; for evil is determined against our master, and against all his household: for he <i>is such</i> a son of Belial, that <i>a man</i> cannot speak to him.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/20-1.htm">2 Samuel 20:1</a></b></br> And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name <i>was</i> Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel.</p><p class="hdg">diggeth</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/2-4.htm">Proverbs 2:4</a></b></br> If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as <i>for</i> hid treasures;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/17-14.htm">Psalm 17:14,15</a></b></br> From men <i>which are</i> thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, <i>which have</i> their portion in <i>this</i> life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid <i>treasure</i>: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their <i>substance</i> to their babes… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/5-18.htm">Isaiah 5:18</a></b></br> Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope:</p><p class="hdg">in</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/52-2.htm">Psalm 52:2-4</a></b></br> Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp rasor, working deceitfully… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/57-4.htm">Psalm 57:4</a></b></br> My soul <i>is</i> among lions: <i>and</i> I lie <i>even among</i> them that are set on fire, <i>even</i> the sons of men, whose teeth <i>are</i> spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/james/3-6.htm">James 3:6</a></b></br> And the tongue <i>is</i> a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/6-12.htm">Belial</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-27.htm">Burning</a> <a href="/exodus/39-8.htm">Designer</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-2.htm">Devises</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-9.htm">Deviseth</a> <a href="/psalms/7-15.htm">Diggeth</a> <a href="/psalms/7-15.htm">Digs</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-17.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-27.htm">Fire</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-12.htm">Good-For-Nothing</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-21.htm">Lips</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-17.htm">Mischief</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-14.htm">Plots</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-27.htm">Preparing</a> <a href="/psalms/11-6.htm">Scorching</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-12.htm">Scoundrel</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-23.htm">Speech</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-31.htm">Ungodly</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-24.htm">Words</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-11.htm">Worthless</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_corinthians/6-15.htm">Belial</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-22.htm">Burning</a> <a href="/isaiah/45-18.htm">Designer</a> <a href="/isaiah/32-7.htm">Devises</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-8.htm">Deviseth</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-27.htm">Diggeth</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-27.htm">Digs</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-28.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-22.htm">Fire</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-28.htm">Good-For-Nothing</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-30.htm">Lips</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-20.htm">Mischief</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-8.htm">Plots</a> <a href="/isaiah/42-5.htm">Preparing</a> <a href="/isaiah/11-15.htm">Scorching</a> <a href="/isaiah/32-5.htm">Scoundrel</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-7.htm">Speech</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-28.htm">Ungodly</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-7.htm">Words</a> <a href="/proverbs/19-28.htm">Worthless</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 16</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/16-1.htm">The Plans of the heart</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'; 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In the Hebrew context, this phrase can be linked to the term "Belial," which denotes worthlessness or lawlessness. This aligns with the biblical theme that those who reject God's wisdom and righteousness are often engaged in destructive behavior. The act of "digging up evil" suggests a deliberate and active pursuit of wrongdoing, akin to a farmer who tills the soil to bring forth a crop. This imagery is used to illustrate the intentional and premeditated nature of the actions of such a person. In the broader biblical narrative, this behavior is contrasted with the righteous who seek peace and pursue good (<a href="/psalms/34-14.htm">Psalm 34:14</a>). The idea of "digging" also implies uncovering or bringing to light hidden sins or schemes, which can be seen in the actions of figures like Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus for personal gain.<p><b>and his speech is like a scorching fire</b><br>The comparison of speech to a "scorching fire" highlights the destructive power of words. In the ancient Near Eastern culture, fire was a symbol of both purification and destruction. Here, it emphasizes the latter, illustrating how harmful and damaging words can be. This is consistent with other biblical teachings, such as <a href="/james/3-6.htm">James 3:6</a>, which describes the tongue as a fire capable of setting the course of life ablaze. The imagery of fire suggests that the words of a worthless man can spread quickly and cause widespread harm, much like a wildfire. This destructive speech can manifest as gossip, slander, or deceit, all of which are condemned throughout Scripture (<a href="/proverbs/6-16.htm">Proverbs 6:16-19</a>). The New Testament further warns believers to guard their tongues and use their words to edify and build up others (<a href="/ephesians/4-29.htm">Ephesians 4:29</a>). The destructive nature of such speech can be seen in the actions of false prophets and teachers who lead others astray, contrasting with the life-giving words of Jesus Christ, who is the Word made flesh (<a href="/john/1-14.htm">John 1:14</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/w/worthless_man.htm">Worthless Man</a></b><br>In the context of Proverbs, a "worthless man" refers to someone who lacks moral integrity and is often associated with wickedness and folly. The Hebrew word used here is (belial), which denotes someone who is without value or purpose, often engaging in destructive behavior.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/s/speech.htm">Speech</a></b><br>The verse highlights the power of speech, comparing it to a "scorching fire." This metaphor emphasizes the destructive potential of words when used maliciously.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/e/evil.htm">Evil</a></b><br>The act of "digging up evil" suggests a deliberate effort to uncover or create trouble, reflecting a heart intent on causing harm.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_words.htm">The Power of Words</a></b><br>Words have the power to build up or destroy. As believers, we are called to use our speech to edify and encourage others, rather than to harm or tear down.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/guarding_the_heart.htm">Guarding the Heart</a></b><br>The root of evil speech is often a heart that harbors bitterness, envy, or malice. We must guard our hearts and seek to cultivate purity and righteousness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/i/intentional_living.htm">Intentional Living</a></b><br>A "worthless man" is characterized by purposelessness and destructiveness. As Christians, we are called to live intentionally, seeking to fulfill God's purpose for our lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/accountability_for_our_words.htm">Accountability for Our Words</a></b><br>We will be held accountable for our words. It is crucial to be mindful of what we say and to strive for speech that reflects the love and truth of Christ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/seeking_wisdom.htm">Seeking Wisdom</a></b><br>Proverbs consistently emphasizes the value of wisdom. We should seek God's wisdom to guide our speech and actions, ensuring they align with His will.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_16.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 16</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_defines_a_perverse_mouth.htm">What defines a perverse mouth?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_proverbs_16_4_imply_god_created_evil.htm">Proverbs 16:4 states God made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for a day of disaster--doesn't this suggest a divine origin for evil, conflicting with the idea of a just and loving God?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_wicked_prosper_without_downfall.htm">Proverbs 24:16: How can the wicked be said to 'fall' when many evil rulers throughout history prospered without clear downfall?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_child_marriage.htm">What does Proverbs 1:7 mean by 'fools despise wisdom'?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/16.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(27) <span class= "bld">Diggeth up evil.--</span>Digs, as it were, a pit for others by his malicious plottings and slanders (<a href="/psalms/7-15.htm" title="He made a pit, and dig it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made.">Psalm 7:15</a>).<p><span class= "bld">In his lips there is as a burning fire.--"</span>Set on fire of hell" (<a href="/james/3-6.htm" title="And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.">James 3:6</a>).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/16.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 27.</span> - This and the three following verses are concerned with the case of the evil man. <span class="cmt_word">An ungodly man -</span> a man of Belial - <span class="cmt_word">diggeth up evil. A</span> man of Belial (<a href="/proverbs/6-12.htm">Proverbs 6:12</a>) is a worthless, wicked person, what the French call a <span class="accented">vaurien.</span> Such a one digs a pit for others (<a href="/proverbs/26-27.htm">Proverbs 26:27</a>; <a href="/psalms/7-15.htm">Psalm 7:15</a>), devises mischief against his neighbour, plots against him by lying and slandering and overreaching. Wordsworth confines the evil to the man himself; he digs it as treasure in a mine, loves wickedness for its own sake. But analogy is against this interpretation. Septuagint, "A foolish man diggeth evils for himself." So Ecclus. 27:26, "Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein; and he that setteth a trap shall be taken therein." As the gnome says - <p><span class="greek">Ἡ δὲ κακὴ βουλὴ τῷ βουλεύσαντι κακίστη</span>. <span class="cmt_word">And in his lips there is as a burning fire</span> (<a href="/proverbs/26-23.htm">Proverbs 26:23</a>) His words scorch and injure like a devouring flame. <a href="/james/3-6.htm">James 3:6</a>, "The tongue is a fire: the world of iniquity among our members is the tongue, which defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the wheel of nature, and is set on fire by hell." Septuagint, "And upon his lips he treasureth up fire." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/16-27.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">A worthless</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּ֭לִיַּעַל</span> <span class="translit">(bə·lî·ya·‘al)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1100.htm">Strong's 1100: </a> </span><span class="str2">Without profit, worthlessness, destruction, wickedness </span><br /><br /><span class="word">man</span><br /><span class="heb">אִ֣ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">digs up</span><br /><span class="heb">כֹּרֶ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(kō·reh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3738.htm">Strong's 3738: </a> </span><span class="str2">To dig, to plot, to bore, open</span><br /><br /><span class="word">evil,</span><br /><span class="heb">רָעָ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(rā·‘āh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7451.htm">Strong's 7451: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bad, evil</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and his speech</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׂ֝פָת֗וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(p̄ā·ṯōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8193.htm">Strong's 8193: </a> </span><span class="str2">The lip, language, a margin</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is like a scorching</span><br /><span class="heb">צָרָֽבֶת׃</span> <span class="translit">(ṣā·rā·ḇeṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6867.htm">Strong's 6867: </a> </span><span class="str2">Scab, scar (of a sore)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">fire.</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּאֵ֣שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(kə·’êš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_784.htm">Strong's 784: </a> </span><span class="str2">A fire</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/16-27.htm">Proverbs 16:27 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/16-27.htm">Proverbs 16:27 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/16-27.htm">Proverbs 16:27 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/16-27.htm">Proverbs 16:27 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/16-27.htm">Proverbs 16:27 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/16-27.htm">Proverbs 16:27 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/16-27.htm">Proverbs 16:27 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/16-27.htm">Proverbs 16:27 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/16-27.htm">Proverbs 16:27 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/16-27.htm">Proverbs 16:27 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/16-27.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 16:27 A worthless man devises mischief (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/16-26.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 16:26"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 16:26" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/16-28.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 16:28"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 16:28" /></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>