Proverbs 24:18

or the LORD will see and disapprove, and turn His wrath away from him.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — The wisdom author addresses a student tempted to gloat over an enemy's downfall. This instruction follows the direct command in Proverbs 24:17 to refrain from rejoicing when a foe stumbles.

The words — The Hebrew particle פֶּן־ (pen-) carries the literal sense "lest," while the verb יִרְאֶ֣ה (yir.'Eh) means "he will see." The phrase וְרַע בְּעֵינָיו (ve-ra be-einav) translates literally as "and it will be displeasing in his view."

The thread — The text warns against taking satisfaction in another's misfortune, a theme that runs through Lamentations 4:21 and Zechariah 1:15.

Why it lands — The passage states that divine observation will meet schadenfreude with disapproval and withdrawn wrath. It requires the reader to actively suppress triumph over an enemy's failure to maintain right standing.

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

פֶּן־pen-lest יִרְאֶ֣הyir.'Ehhe should see יְ֭הוָהYah.wehYahweh וְרַ֣עve./Ra'and/ it will be displeasing בְּעֵינָ֑יוbe./'ei.Na/vin/ view/ his וְהֵשִׁ֖יבve./he.Shivand/ he will turn back מֵעָלָ֣יוme./'a.La/vfrom/ towards <the>/ him אַפּֽוֹ׃'a.P/oanger/ his

King James Version

Lest the Lord see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.

Cross-references

Lamentations 4:21 So rejoice and be glad, O Daughter of Edom, you who dwell in the land of Uz. Yet the cup will pass to you as well; you will get drunk and expose yourself.
Zechariah 1:15 but I am fiercely angry with the nations that are at ease. For I was a little angry, but they have added to the calamity.’