He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die.
The verse belongs to the writings of Solomon found among the last fifteen chapters of Proverbs, written about the year one thousand and later. It gives practical counsel about moral and religious duty, in which piety is rewarded and evil is punished. Keeping God's commandment preserves one's own life and soul, while despising His ways brings death and destruction upon the despiser.
The warning covers even a command considered small, since every command carries divine authority. Knowingly allowing oneself to break one shows contempt for God and leaves one in a perishing condition.
Since all people die the first death regardless of obedience, the death threatened here is a second death incurred through disobedience. That death means utter loss of life and cessation of existence. It describes the end of the wicked, is their punishment, and declares their destruction.
The verse belongs to the writings of Solomon found among the last fifteen chapters of Proverbs, written about the year one thousand and later. It gives practical counsel about moral and religious duty, in which piety is rewarded and evil is punished. Keeping God's commandment preserves one's own life and soul, while despising His ways brings death and destruction upon the despiser.
The warning covers even a command considered small, since every command carries divine authority. Knowingly allowing oneself to break one shows contempt for God and leaves one in a perishing condition.
Since all people die the first death regardless of obedience, the death threatened here is a second death incurred through disobedience. That death means utter loss of life and cessation of existence. It describes the end of the wicked, is their punishment, and declares their destruction.