Proverbs 17:13 (KJV)

What does Proverbs 17:13 mean?

Proverbs 17:13 warns that anyone who repays good with evil will bring ongoing trouble upon their own household. The verse teaches that causing harm to someone who has done good will lead to lasting negative consequences for the wrongdoer and those close to them.

In Proverbs, these sayings are presented as wise advice from a teacher or parent to a listener, often imagined as a child or student. The focus here is on the seriousness of betraying kindness—showing that such actions are not just unfair, but also self-destructive. The verse uses strong language to stress that the harm done will not easily leave the person’s life or family.

The Hebrew behind Proverbs 17:13

• "rewardeth" (שׁוּב, shuv): This word often means "to return" or "to turn back." Here, it carries the sense of giving back or repaying, but in a negative way—returning evil for good.
• "evil" (רַע, ra‘): Used twice in this verse, this word means harm, wickedness, or bad things. It highlights the seriousness of the wrong being done and the trouble that will follow.
• "good" (טוֹב, tov): This word means goodness, kindness, or something beneficial. The contrast with "evil" makes the betrayal even more striking.
• "depart" (מוּשׁ, mush): This word means "to turn aside" or "to depart." The verse says evil will not "depart" from the house, emphasizing that the consequences will linger.
• "house" (בַּיִת, bayit): This word refers not just to a physical building, but to one’s family or household. The warning is that the trouble will affect more than just the individual.

Why Proverbs 17:13 matters

• Proverbs 17:13 clarifies that repaying kindness with harm is not just a personal failing, but something that brings lasting harm to one’s entire family or community.
• The verse highlights the seriousness with which the Bible treats betrayal and injustice, showing that such actions have ripple effects beyond the immediate situation.
• This proverb fits into a larger section warning against various forms of foolishness and wrongdoing, emphasizing that actions have real and lasting consequences.