Proverbs 6:15 (KJV)

What does Proverbs 6:15 mean?

Proverbs 6:15 warns that a person who acts with evil intent or causes trouble will suddenly face disaster, and when it happens, there will be no way to fix or escape the consequences. The verse emphasizes that the downfall will be both unexpected and final, leaving no chance for recovery.

In the context of Proverbs, this verse is part of a warning from a wise teacher (traditionally Solomon) to his listener—often imagined as a son or young person—about the dangers of wicked behavior. The surrounding verses describe the actions and attitudes of a troublemaker, and Proverbs 6:15 sums up the outcome: sudden and irreversible ruin for those who persist in such ways.

The Hebrew behind Proverbs 6:15

• "calamity" (אֵיד, 'eid): This word means disaster or ruin, often with a sense of something destructive and overwhelming. Its use here stresses the seriousness of the trouble that will come.
• "suddenly" (פִּתְאֹם, pit'om and פֶּתַע, peta): Two different Hebrew words for "suddenly" appear in this verse, both highlighting the unexpected and abrupt nature of the disaster. The repetition drives home how quickly things can change for someone acting wickedly.
• "broken" (שָׁבַר, shavar): This word means to be shattered or destroyed, not just harmed but completely undone. The image is of something that cannot be put back together.
• "remedy" (מַרְפֵּא, marpe): This word means healing or cure. The verse says there will be no "remedy," meaning no chance for repair or healing after the disaster strikes.

Why Proverbs 6:15 matters

• Proverbs 6:15 clarifies that the consequences for persistent wrongdoing are not just severe but also irreversible, countering any idea that one can always fix things later.
• The double use of "suddenly" in the original language underlines how quickly judgment can come, emphasizing the unpredictability of consequences for evil actions.
• This verse ties together the warnings in the surrounding passage, showing that the behaviors described earlier are not just morally wrong but also self-destructive in a very real and final way.