Proverbs 24:8 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Whoever plans to do evil will be called a schemer.

NIV: Whoever plots evil will be known as a schemer.

NASB: One who plans to do evil, People will call a schemer.

CSB: The one who plots evil will be called a schemer.

NLT: A person who plans evil will get a reputation as a troublemaker.

KJV: He that deviseth to do evil shall be called a mischievous person.

NKJV: He who plots to do evil Will be called a schemer.

This lesson uses the Hebrew phrase ba'al mezimmot' to refer to a "schemer." This literally means something like "master of plots" or "owner of evil plans" or "deviser of wickedness." A word derived from the same root word is used in the following verse to explicitly call such things a sin (Proverbs 24:9). Similar terms are used in other proverbs (Proverbs 12:2; 14:17). This is not only a reference to sin, but also a note about reputation. Eventually, liars and schemers are found out. They become known as unreliable and crooked; others openly call them by such terms.

The book of Romans points out those who ignore God's revelation in human experience (Romans 1:18–20). They are labelled "inventors of evil" (Romans 1:30) as well as "foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless" (Romans 1:31). Scripture often warns about such persons (Proverbs 6:14; 14:22).

Haman the Agagite is often mentioned as an example of the fate of "schemers." Esther 8:3 indicts him with the evil of devising a plot against the Jews. He conspired to destroy all the Jews in Persia (Esther 8:5). However, God protected the Jews and overturned Haman's wicked plot. Eventually, the king "gave orders in writing that [Haman's] evil plan that he had devised against the Jews should return on his own head, and that he and his sons should be hanged on the gallows" (Esther 9:25).

Proverbs 24:1–12 exhorts Solomon's son, or student, not to be jealous of immoral people or desire their friendship. Solomon contrasts godly wisdom (Proverbs 1:7) with foolishness and calls upon his son to rescue those who are unjustly oppressed. Failing to do so, under the all-seeing eyes of the Lord, cannot be excused. This continues a series of wise sayings endorsed by Solomon (Proverbs 22:17–21).

Solomon continues to list wise sayings (Proverbs 22:17–21), rounding out his promised list of thirty teachings. These endorse integrity, accepting good advice, reputation, and ethical actions. The lessons also stress godly attitudes about vengeance, bitterness, and companionship. After verse 23 come additional proverbs. These may or may not have been Solomon's own words, but at least some appear to be his thoughts. Key points in these verses are the need for impartiality in judgment, godly reputation, and work ethic.

This chapter continues thirty sayings of wise people (Proverbs 22:17–21), as collected and endorsed by Solomon. The remainder of the passage are additional wise statements, which are not as clearly attributed. Some of the lessons are framed as warnings, followed by reasons. The lessons contained here are more detailed than most of the proverbs in this book.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.