Proverbs - 24:31



31 Behold, it was all grown over with thorns. Its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down.

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of Proverbs 24:31.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.
And behold it was all filled with nettles, and thorns had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall was broken down.
and lo, it was all grown over with thistles, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and its stone wall was broken down.
And lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face of it, and its stone wall was broken down.
And lo, it hath gone up, all of it, thorns! Covered its face have nettles, And its stone wall hath been broken down.
And it was all full of thorns, and covered with waste plants, and its stone wall was broken down.
And, lo, it was all grown over with thistles, The face thereof was covered with nettles, And the stone wall thereof was broken down.
and behold, it was entirely filled with nettles, and thorns had covered its surface, and the stonewall was destroyed.

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns,.... Or "thistles" (y); which grow up of themselves, are the fruit of the curse, and the effect of slothfulness;
and nettles had covered the face thereof; so that nothing was to be seen but thorns and thistles, nettles and weeds; and such is the case of the souls of men when neglected, and no concern is had for them; so it is with carnal and worldly professors, who are overrun with the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things, comparable to thorns and nettles for their piercing and stinging nature, and the unfruitfulness and unprofitableness of them; such are the thorny ground hearers, Matthew 13:22; and such is the case of all unregenerate persons, whose souls are like an uncultivated field, and a neglected vineyard; in which grow naturally the weeds of sin and corruption, comparable to thorns and nettles for their spontaneous production, for the number of them, for their unfruitfulness, and for the pain and distress they bring when conscience is awakened; and because as such ground that bears thorns and nettles is nigh to cursing, and its end to be burned, which is their case; see Hebrews 6:8;
and the stone wall thereof was broken down; the fence about the fields, the wall about the vineyard, to keep out men and beasts; see Isaiah 5:2; which through slothfulness, and want of repair and keeping up, fell to decay, Ecclesiastes 10:18; and thus carnal professors and unregenerate men, having no guard upon themselves, are open and exposed to every sin, snare, and temptation; Satan has free egress and regress; the evil spirit can go out and come in when he pleases, and bring seven evil spirits more wicked than himself: indeed such is the evil heart of man that it needs no tempter; he is drawn aside of his own lust, and enticed; he is liable to every sin, and to fall into the utmost ruin; he has nothing to protect and defend him; not the Spirit, nor grace, nor power of God.
(y) "chamaeleones", Junius & Tremellius; "cardui", Piscator, Cocceius; "carduis", Michaelis, Schultens.

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