What Does Proverbs 24:17 Mean in the King James?
Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The verse names two forms of joy because another person’s fall can draw both gladness and inward exultation from the heart.
THE MEANING
When someone who opposes you falters, their collapse does not make delight in it harmless. The verse reaches from the first glad response to the exultation the heart welcomes.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The lie is: “Because this person is my enemy, their failure is automatically good news.” Their fall does not make delight in it harmless.
THE ROOT
תִּשְׂמָח
tismaḥ
GROWS FROM
שׂמח
ś-m-ḥ
Be glad; rejoice.
“rejoice” in this verse is tismaḥ. The root’s family includes שִׂמְחָה (simḥāh), joy itself, so the verse addresses an inward state as well as an outward reaction. The next clause uses a different root for joy, extending the warning beyond one form of delight.
ALSO GROWS
simḥāh: Joy, gladness
שִׂמְחָה
The noun makes clear that the warning reaches the gladness itself, not only its expression.
sameaḥ: Glad, joyful
שָׂמֵחַ
This adjective carries the same root into a description of someone’s inward state.
יָגֵל
yagel
GROWS FROM
גיל
g-y-l
Exult, rejoice.
“glad” in this verse is yagel. The second clause does not repeat שׂמח (ś-m-ḥ); it uses גיל (g-y-l), another root for rejoicing, often with the force of exulting. The paired roots widen the warning from being pleased at the fall to celebrating it inwardly.
ALSO GROWS
gīl: Rejoicing, exultation
גִּיל
This noun names the exultant joy that the second clause keeps from taking hold.
gīlāh: Gladness, joy
גִּילָה
This related form shows the root’s reach into the state of gladness, not just a single burst of celebration.
THE PATTERN
Another person’s misfortune does not become rightful fuel for your joy.
Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.If I rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him:Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.THE THREAD
Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.The next verse says the LORD sees this delight and is displeased, then turns his anger away from the person who fell. Their collapse does not settle their standing; the response in your heart remains visible and can reverse what you expect to happen.
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