Proverbs 16:27

27 Worthless people dig up trouble; their lips are like a scorching fire.

Proverbs 16:27 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 16:27

An ungodly man diggeth up evil
Or "a man of Belial" ^F16, a worthless unprofitable man; a man without a yoke, not obedient to the law of God; such a man digs for sin as for a treasure; nor need he go far for it, he has enough in his own heart, out of the evil treasure of which he brings forth evil things; though he is more solicitious and diligent to search into the sins of others, and dig up them, which have long lain buried; as the Manichees raked up the sins of Austin in his youth; and as the Papists served Beza: but perhaps the evil of mischief is here rather intended, which a wicked man contrives and devises; a ditch he digs for others, though oftentimes he falls into it himself; and so the Septuagint and Arabic versions render it, "digs evils for himself"; not intentionally but eventually; see ( Psalms 7:15 ) ; and in his lips [there is] as a burning fire;
his tongue is a fire, it is set on fire of hell, and it sets on fire the course of nature; and with its lies, calumnies, and detractions, devours and consumer the good names, characters, and credit of men; and deserves no other than sharp arrows of the Almighty, and coals of juniper; even the everlasting fire and flames of hell, ( James 3:6 ) ( Psalms 52:2 Psalms 52:4 ) ( Psalms 120:3 Psalms 120:4 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F16 (leylb vya) "vir Belijahal", Montanus, Tigurine version, Mercerus.

Proverbs 16:27 In-Context

25 There is a path that may seem straight to someone, but in the end it is the path of death.

26 The appetite of workers labors for them, for their hunger presses them on.

27 Worthless people dig up trouble; their lips are like a scorching fire.

28 Destructive people produce conflict; gossips alienate close friends.

29 Violent people entice their neighbors and walk them down a path that isn't good.