Bible Strands
Proverbs 16:4
The LORD has made everything for His purpose—even the wicked for the day of disaster.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The book of Proverbs addresses Israelite youth and leaders, recording Solomon’s wisdom instruction regarding daily conduct and divine sovereignty. The verse appears in a wisdom discourse that contrasts human planning with God’s ultimate control over all events.
The words — The Hebrew כֹּ֤ל (kol) translates literally as "everything," while רָ֝שָׁ֗ע (ra.Sha') means "[the] wicked." The phrase לַֽ/מַּעֲנֵ֑/הוּ (la./ma.'a.Ne./hu) denotes "for its purpose," establishing the grammatical link between creation and divine intent.
The thread — This theme of God’s sovereign preparation of individuals for specific outcomes appears in Isaiah 43:21 and Romans 9:22. The New Testament echoes the concept in 2 Peter 2:9, which notes God’s knowledge of how to hold the unrighteous for punishment.
Why it lands — The text asserts that Yahweh orchestrates all circumstances, including the judgment of the wicked, without attributing moral evil to Himself. A reader must acknowledge divine sovereignty over history and submit personal plans to His authority rather than relying on autonomous control.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
The Lord hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
Cross-references
- Isaiah 43:21 The people I formed for Myself will declare My praise.
- Romans 9:22 What if God, intending to show His wrath and make His power known, bore with great patience the vessels of His wrath, prepared for destruction?
- 2 Peter 2:9 if all this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.
- Isaiah 43:7 everyone called by My name and created for My glory, whom I have indeed formed and made.”
- 1 Peter 2:8 and, “A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word—and to this they were appointed.
- Revelation 4:11 “Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things; by Your will they exist and were created.”
- Job 21:30 Indeed, the evil man is spared from the day of calamity, delivered from the day of wrath.
- 2 Peter 2:3 In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep.
- Romans 11:36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.