Proverbs 24:17 (KJV)

What does Proverbs 24:17 mean?

Proverbs 24:17 warns against feeling joy or satisfaction when someone you consider an enemy experiences trouble or misfortune. The verse teaches that it is not right to let your heart be glad when someone who opposes you stumbles or falls.

This proverb comes from a collection of wise sayings, likely compiled by Solomon, and is directed toward anyone seeking to live wisely and honorably. The verse addresses the natural human tendency to celebrate when someone who has wronged us suffers, but it calls for restraint and a higher standard of character.

The Hebrew behind Proverbs 24:17

• "Rejoice" (שָׂמַח, samach H8055) means to be glad or to celebrate. Here, it points to an inward or outward expression of happiness, which the proverb says should not be directed at an enemy’s downfall.
• "Enemy" (אֹיֵב, oyev H341) refers to someone who is hostile or opposed to you. The word does not specify the reason for the enmity, making the warning broad and applicable to any adversary.
• "Falleth" (נָפַל, naphal H5307) means to fall, fail, or be brought down. In this context, it covers any kind of setback or defeat.
• "Heart" (לֵב, lev H3820) is a common Hebrew word for the inner self, including thoughts and emotions. The verse goes beyond outward actions and addresses the attitude or feeling inside a person.
• "Glad" (גִּיל, gil H1523) means to rejoice or exult, often with a sense of gloating or triumphant joy. The proverb warns against this kind of inner satisfaction at another’s misfortune.
• "Stumbleth" (כָּשַׁל, kashal H3782) means to trip, stagger, or falter. It suggests a moment of weakness or failure, not necessarily a complete downfall.

Why Proverbs 24:17 matters

• Proverbs 24:17 corrects the common but unhealthy impulse to take pleasure in the hardships of those we dislike, reminding readers that true wisdom involves compassion and self-control.
• The verse emphasizes that moral character is measured not just by actions but by the attitudes and feelings we harbor in our hearts, even when no one else sees them.
• In the wider context of Proverbs, this teaching fits with the book’s overall call to humility, restraint, and a life that reflects God’s justice and mercy, even toward those we might consider adversaries.