16:27
The first line of this proverb indicates that a scoundrel makes plans to harm other people. The second line draws attention to the harmful words that he speaks. It compares them to a very hot fire that destroys what it burns.
27a A worthless man digs up evil,
27b and his speech is like a scorching fire.
The parallelism implies that there is a close connection between his plans and his destructive words. It probably implies that he specifically plans to use destructive words in his efforts to cause harm and trouble to others.
16:27a
A worthless man digs up evil: In Hebrew, this line is more literally “A scoundrel digs evil.” There are two main ways to interpret the meaning of this line:
(1) The word “digs” means “plots ” or “plans.” A scoundrel exerts effort to design a plan to harm other people. For example:
Worthless people plan trouble (Contemporary English Version)
(2) The word “digs” means “digs up.” A scoundrel exerts effort to find information that will harm other people. For example:
A worthless man digs up evil (New American Standard Bible)
It is recommended that you follow interpretation (1), along with most versions and scholars.
A worthless man: The Hebrew phrase (“person of worthlessness”) that the Berean Standard Bible translates as worthless man refers to a person who is both wicked and produces no good. (See the note on 6:12a.) Some other ways to translate this phrase are:
A wicked scoundrel (NET Bible)
-or-
A worthless person (New Jerusalem Bible)
digs up evil: In this context, the word evil means “harm,” “misfortune,” or “trouble.”
Some other ways to translate this line are:
Useless people make evil plans (New Century Version)
-or-
Evil people look for ways to harm others (Good News Translation)
16:27b
and his speech is like a scorching fire: This line is a simile that compares the scoundrel’s words to the destructive effects of a scorching fire. The verse does not specifically define the scoundrel’s speech. It may refer to insults, malicious gossip, slander, or any words that destroy another person’s reputation or the harmony of a group of people.
In some languages, it may be necessary to use a word or phrase that refers specifically to one kind of harmful speech. For example, the NET Bible refers specifically to slander. It has:
and his slander is like a scorching fire
If possible, use a word or phrase that can refer to more than one kind of destructive speech. For example:
and their words are like a burning fire (New Century Version)
-or-
Even their words burn like a flaming fire. (Contemporary English Version)
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