What Does Proverbs 24:18 Mean in the King James?
Lest the LORD see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.
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 person gloating over an enemy’s fall may be the very sight that makes the LORD’s anger turn away from that enemy.
THE MEANING
When someone who opposes you falls, the LORD sees what their fall draws out of you, and that delight is evil in his sight. The heat of anger belongs to the LORD; he can turn it away from that person. Another person’s ruin does not put judgment under your control.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
Their downfall proves the LORD is against them, so my pleasure in their punishment is justified.
THE ROOT
וְהֵשִׁיב
weheshiv
GROWS FROM
שׁ־ו־ב
sh-v-b
To turn or return; in this form, to cause something to turn back.
“turn away” in this verse is weheshiv. The Hebrew verb comes from שׁוּב (shuv, return or turn back), in a form that means to turn something back. Here what turns is the LORD’s אַף (aph, nostril; anger or heat): the anger can be withdrawn from the fallen person, and the turning belongs to the LORD.
ALSO GROWS
shuv: Turn, return.
שׁוּב
The root itself makes the verse’s “turn away” part of a wider language of turning back.
yeshovev: Restore, bring back.
יְשׁוֹבֵב
This related form, used for restoring the soul in Psalm 23:3, shows that turning back can also mean restoration.
THE PATTERN
Another person’s calamity does not grant you ownership of judgment; the LORD’s anger remains his to turn.
Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;THE THREAD
Thou hast taken away all thy wrath: thou hast turned thyself from the fierceness of thine anger.The psalm uses the same root, שׁוּב (shuv, return or turn back), for turning away anger. Proverbs places that turning in the moment you see another person fall: the LORD can withdraw anger from them, and the turn belongs to God.
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