Proverbs 13 · Verse 9

Proverbs 13:9

The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
Proverbs 13:9, King James Version

Proverbs 13:9 in other translations

BSBThe light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is extinguished.
WEBThe light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.
ASVThe light of the righteous rejoiceth; But the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
YLTThe light of the righteous rejoiceth, And the lamp of the wicked is extinguished.
DARBYThe light of the righteous rejoiceth; but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.
BBEThere is a glad dawn for the upright man, but the light of the sinner will be put out.
WebsterThe light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be extinguished.

What does Proverbs 13:9 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
9. light ... lamp--prosperity; the first, the greater, and it rejoiceth--burns brightly, or continues, while the other, at best small, soon fails.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 9 The light of the righteous rejoiceth - They shall have that measure of prosperity which shall be best for them; but the wicked, howsoever prosperous for a time, shall be brought into desolation. Light and lamp in both cases may signify posterity. The righteous shall have a joyous posterity; but that of the wicked shall be cut off. So 1Kgs 11:36 : "And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light (נר ner, a lamp) always before me." 1Kgs 15:4 : "Nevertheless for David's sake did the Lord give them a lamp, to set up his son after him." See also Psa 132:17, and several other places.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
The light of the righteous is as that of the sun, which may be eclipsed and clouded, but will continue: the Spirit is their Light, he gives a fulness of joy: that of the wicked is as a lamp of their own kindling, easily put out.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Proverbs 13:9 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

אוֹר\־'or-[the] light ofH216
צַדִּיקִ֥יםtza.di.Kimrighteous [people]H6662
יִשְׂמָ֑חyis.Machit rejoicesH8055
וְנֵ֖רve.Nerand [the] lamp ofH5216
רְשָׁעִ֣יםre.sha.'Imwicked [people]H7563
יִדְעָֽךְ\׃yid.'Akhit is extinguishedH1846

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Proverbs 13:9

  • Proverbs 24:20

    For there shall be no reward to the evil man; the candle of the wicked shall be put out.

  • Proverbs 4:18

    But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

  • Proverbs 20:20

    Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness.

  • Psalms 97:11

    Light is sown for the righteous, and gladness for the upright in heart.

  • Psalms 112:4

    Unto the upright there ariseth light in the darkness: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.

  • Matthew 25:8

    And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

  • Job 18:5-6

    Yea, the light of the wicked shall be put out, and the spark of his fire shall not shine. The light shall be dark in his tabernacle, and his candle shall be put out with him.

  • 1 Kings 11:36

    And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light alway before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there.

  • Job 21:17

    How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and how oft cometh their destruction upon them! God distributeth sorrows in his anger.

  • Isaiah 50:10-11

    Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God. Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow.

  • Job 29:3

    When his candle shined upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkness;

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
light.
4:18; 1Ki 11:36; Ps 97:11; 112:4
lamp. or, candle.
20:20; 24:20; Job 18:5,6; 21:17; Isa 50:10,11; Mt 22:13; 25:8

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Proverbs 13:8

    The ransom of a man’s life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke.

  • Proverbs 13:9

    The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out.

  • Proverbs 13:10

    Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.

Read all of Proverbs 13

Proverbs 13:9 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		La luz de los justos se alegrará: mas apagaráse la lámpara de los impíos.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		La lumière des justes est joyeuse, mais la lampe des méchants s’éteindra.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Das Licht der Gerechten brennt fröhlich, aber die Leuchte der Gesetzlosen erlischt.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Lux justorum lætificat: lucerna autem impiorum extinguetur.