The Meaning of Proverbs 29:16 Explained

Proverbs 29:16

KJV: When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall.

YLT: In the multiplying of the wicked transgression multiplieth, And the righteous on their fall do look.

Darby: When the wicked increase, transgression increaseth; but the righteous shall see their fall.

ASV: When the wicked are increased, transgression increaseth; But the righteous shall look upon their fall.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

When the wicked  are multiplied,  transgression  increaseth:  but the righteous  shall see  their fall. 

What does Proverbs 29:16 Mean?

Verse Meaning

We must take the divine perspective here as in all the proverbs. Some individual cases may not fit the principle, but generally the principle holds true. The righteous will prevail, and the wicked will fail, eventually.

Chapter Summary: Proverbs 29

1  observations of public government
15  and of private
22  Of anger, pride, thievery, cowardice and corruption

What do the individual words in Proverbs 29:16 mean?

When are multiplied the wicked increases transgression but the righteous their fall will see
בִּרְב֣וֹת רְ֭שָׁעִים יִרְבֶּה־ פָּ֑שַׁע וְ֝צַדִּיקִ֗ים בְּֽמַפַּלְתָּ֥ם יִרְאֽוּ

בִּרְב֣וֹת  When  are  multiplied 
Parse: Preposition-b, Verb, Qal, Infinitive construct
Root: הַרְבָּה 
Sense: be or become great, be or become many, be or become much, be or become numerous.
רְ֭שָׁעִים  the  wicked 
Parse: Adjective, masculine plural
Root: רָשָׁע  
Sense: wicked, criminal.
יִרְבֶּה־  increases 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: הַרְבָּה 
Sense: be or become great, be or become many, be or become much, be or become numerous.
פָּ֑שַׁע  transgression 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: פֶּשַׁע  
Sense: transgression, rebellion.
וְ֝צַדִּיקִ֗ים  but  the  righteous 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adjective, masculine plural
Root: צַדִּיק  
Sense: just, lawful, righteous.
בְּֽמַפַּלְתָּ֥ם  their  fall 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, feminine singular construct, third person masculine plural
Root: מַפֶּלֶת  
Sense: carcass, ruin, overthrow.
יִרְאֽוּ  will  see 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: רָאָה 
Sense: to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider.