Proverbs 26:27 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.

NIV: Whoever digs a pit will fall into it; if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them.

NASB: One who digs a pit will fall into it, And one who rolls a stone, it will come back on him.

CSB: The one who digs a pit will fall into it, and whoever rolls a stone -- it will come back on him.

NLT: If you set a trap for others, you will get caught in it yourself. If you roll a boulder down on others, it will crush you instead.

KJV: Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.

NKJV: Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, And he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.

Other proverbs note that those who plan evil can expect to suffer as a result (Proverbs 5:22; 15:27; 19:16). This is a general statement, not a prophecy; not all evil acts are punished in this life. Yet they will be noticed and judged by God (Proverbs 8:34–36; 24:16, 19–22). Still, it's often the case that those who plan evil get caught in the aftermath of their own sin.

The imagery here is drawn from a hunter's efforts to trap an animal. Other lessons in the book of Proverbs use the metaphor of traps (Proverbs 12:13; 22:25; 23:27; 28:10). Some traps are simple, such as disguising a hole in the ground. Others require weight; rolling a large rock indicates the arduous work an evil man puts forth to destroy his victim. Eventually, however, retribution comes to him.

The book of Esther relates the story of wicked Haman's scheming to kill righteous Mordecai and all the Jews in Persia. In the end, however, Haman was hanged on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. God protected Mordecai and his fellow Jews. Psalm 9:16 says, "The LORD has made himself known; he has executed judgment; the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands."

Proverbs 26:17–28 turns from a focus on laziness to discussion about conflict. Solomon (Proverbs 25:1) warns against prying into other people's arguments, gossip, and dishonest speech. He also cautions about the danger of casual lies. How and when a person chooses to speak greatly influences their involvement in conflict.

This chapter includes three main sections. The first repeatedly refers to a "fool," meaning someone lacking godly wisdom (Proverbs 1:7). The second warns against being lazy. The third condemns careless conflict, lying, and warns about those who disguise their hate with words. Several statements in this passage repeat or echo others made in the book of Proverbs.

Chapter 25 introduced another section of Solomon's proverbs (Proverbs 25:1). These were collected by later scribes; the list runs through the end of chapter 29. This chapter covers topics such as foolishness, laziness, and conflict. This echoes principles given in other proverbs.

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.