but the wicked will be cut off from the land
This phrase reflects a common biblical theme where the wicked face divine judgment and are removed from the blessings of the land. In the Old Testament, the land often symbolizes God's promise and blessing to His people, as seen in the covenant with Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3). The idea of being "cut off" suggests a complete separation from God's favor and community, akin to the fate of the Canaanites who were expelled from the Promised Land due to their iniquity (Deuteronomy 9:4-5). This phrase also echoes the warnings found in Psalm 37:9, where evildoers are contrasted with those who wait on the Lord and inherit the land. The concept of divine retribution is consistent with the wisdom literature's emphasis on moral order and justice.

and the unfaithful will be uprooted
The imagery of being "uprooted" conveys a sense of instability and removal from one's foundation, much like a plant that is torn from the soil. This reflects the consequences of unfaithfulness, which in biblical terms often refers to a breach of covenant with God. The unfaithful, or those who turn away from God's commandments, are likened to plants without roots, easily removed and lacking permanence. This is reminiscent of Jesus' parable of the sower, where seeds that fall on rocky ground wither because they have no root (Matthew 13:5-6). The prophetic literature, such as Jeremiah 12:14-17, also uses similar language to describe the fate of nations that oppose God's will. The uprooting serves as a metaphor for divine judgment and the loss of spiritual inheritance.

1. The Wicked
Refers to those who live in opposition to God's commandments and moral order. In the Hebrew text, the word used is (resha'im), which denotes those who are guilty of sin and injustice.

2. The Unfaithful
These are individuals who betray trust and do not adhere to the covenant with God. The Hebrew term (bogedim) implies treachery and deceit.

3. The Land
In the context of ancient Israel, "the land" often refers to the Promised Land, a place of blessing and inheritance for God's people. It symbolizes God's provision and the fulfillment of His promises.

4. Cut Off
This phrase indicates a severance or removal, often used in the context of divine judgment. It implies a loss of blessing and separation from God's people.

5. Uprooted
This term suggests a complete removal, akin to pulling a plant out by its roots, signifying total displacement and destruction.The Consequences of Wickedness
Living in opposition to God's ways leads to separation from His blessings and ultimately, His judgment.

The Importance of Faithfulness
Faithfulness to God and His covenant is crucial for maintaining one's place in His promises and blessings.

God's Justice
God's justice ensures that wickedness and unfaithfulness do not go unpunished, affirming His righteousness and holiness.

The Security of the Righteous
While the wicked are cut off, the righteous have the assurance of God's protection and inheritance.

The Call to Repentance
This verse serves as a warning and a call to repentance, urging individuals to turn from wickedness and embrace faithfulness to God.1. What is the meaning of Proverbs 2:22?

2. How can we ensure we are among the "upright" mentioned in Proverbs 2:22?

3. What actions lead to being "cut off" as described in Proverbs 2:22?

4. How does Proverbs 2:22 connect with Jesus' teachings on righteousness?

5. In what ways can we avoid the fate of the "wicked" in Proverbs 2:22?

6. How does Proverbs 2:22 encourage us to pursue a life of integrity?

7. What does Proverbs 2:22 imply about the fate of the wicked?

8. How does Proverbs 2:22 align with the concept of divine justice?

9. What historical context influenced the writing of Proverbs 2:22?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 2?

11. What does the Bible say about Christian debt?

12. Psalm 52:5 promises God will “uproot” the wicked—why does history record many powerful oppressors who died peacefully?

13. Who is a ransom for whom? Mark 10:45 and I Timothy 2:5-6 say Christ is a ransom for many/all. Proverbs 21:18 says the wicked is a ransom for the righteous.

14. Proverbs 22:2: How can a just God create both rich and poor yet allow extreme wealth inequality to persist?but the wicked

• Scripture consistently draws a clear line between those who reverence the Lord and “the wicked,” the ones who stubbornly resist His ways (Psalm 1:4–6; Proverbs 10:27).

• In Proverbs 2 the contrast builds: wisdom guards the righteous (vv. 7–11), while moral collapse stalks those who despise it (vv. 12–19). Verse 22 gathers that warning into a single, sobering outcome.

• Notice the little word “but.” It signals an unbreakable principle—no matter how prosperous the wicked may seem for a season (Psalm 37:10), God’s justice will prevail.

---

will be cut off from the land

• “Cut off” speaks of decisive, sudden removal. Under the covenant given through Moses, remaining “in the land” was a tangible blessing for obedience (Deuteronomy 28:1–14) and expulsion was the penalty for rebellion (Deuteronomy 28:63).

• The phrase therefore affirms God’s promise to protect His people while assuring them that evil will not be allowed to occupy His inheritance indefinitely (Proverbs 10:30; Psalm 52:5).

• For us, it is a vivid reminder that security isn’t tied to geography or circumstance but to living in right relationship with the Lord (John 15:4–6).

---

and the unfaithful

• “Unfaithful” highlights betrayal—those who once seemed part of God’s community yet prove disloyal (Hosea 6:7; Jeremiah 3:20).

• Throughout Scripture, unfaithfulness isn’t merely moral lapse; it is covenant treachery, choosing self over God. Jesus echoes this in His parable of the two servants—faithful and faithless—where judgment falls on the one who abandons his Master’s will (Luke 12:46).

• The verse therefore doubles down on accountability: casual religion that masks a faithless heart cannot stand (1 Corinthians 6:9–10).

---

will be uprooted

• The image shifts from cutting to uprooting. While “cut off” implies swift judgment, “uprooted” suggests total, irreversible removal—roots and all (Job 18:14; Proverbs 12:7).

• God often uses agricultural pictures to show how He deals with people: “Every plant that My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted” (Matthew 15:13).

• In practical terms, persistent unbelief eventually tears a person out of every place of blessing—present and eternal (Jeremiah 12:14–17).

---

summary

Proverbs 2:22 closes Solomon’s lesson on wisdom with a solemn guarantee: rebellion ends in separation from God’s blessings—first “cut off” from the land of promise, then “uprooted” so thoroughly that no trace of security remains. The righteous may rest in God’s protection, but those who persist in wickedness or covenant infidelity will face certain, decisive judgment. The verse calls us to cling to wisdom, walk in faithfulness, and trust the Lord’s unwavering justice.

Verse 22. - But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth. The punishment of the wicked is contrasted with the blessings that are promised to the upright. Shall be cut off; יִפָרֵתוּ (yikkarethu), niph. future of כָרַת (karath), "to cut off, or destroy." LXX., ὀλοῦνται; Vulgate, perdentur.;The expression is used to convey the idea of extermination, as in Psalm 37:9 (cf. Job 18:17; Psalm 37:28; Psalm 104:35). The verb is found also in Genesis 17:14; Exodus 12:15. The earth; properly, the land. The same word (אַרֶצ arets) is used as in ver. 21. The transgressors (בּוגְדִים, bog'dim); here employed synonymously with "the wicked" (יְשָׁעִים, y'shaim), "the impious." The primary meaning of the verb from which it is derived (בָגַד, bagad) is "to cover," "to deal treacherously," and hence the word signifies those who act treacherously or perfidiously, the faithless. They are those who perfidiously depart from God, and break away from the covenant with Jehovah. LXX., παράνομοι (cf. Proverbs 11:3, 6; Proverbs 13:2, 25; Proverbs 22:12; Psalm 25:3; Psalm 59:5; Isaiah 33:1). Shall be rooted out (יסֶּחוּ, yiss'khu). This word is taken by Davidson as the future kal of נסַה (nasah), "to pluck up," and hence is equivalent to "they shall pluck up," or, passively, "they stroll be plucked up." Delitzsch remarks that it is as at Proverbs 15:25 and Psalm 52:7, active, "they shall pluck up," and this with the subject remaining indefinite is equivalent to the passive form, "they shall be plucked up." This indefinite "they" can be used of God, as also in Job 7:3 (Fleischer). The expression has been understood as referring to being driven into exile (Gesenius), and this view would be amply justified by the fate which overtook the apostate nation when both the kingdoms of Israel and Judah suffered this fate (cf. LXX. ἐξωθήσονται, "they shall be driven out"). It also derives colour from the language of the preceding verse, but the imagery appears to be derived from the cutting down and rooting up of trees. The destruction of the wicked and transgressors will be complete. They shall be exterminated (cf. Targum, eradicabuntur; Syriac evellentur; and Arabic, exterminabuntur).

Parallel Commentaries ...

but the wicked
וּ֭רְשָׁעִים (ū·rə·šā·‘îm)
Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 7563: Wrong, an, bad person

will be cut off
יִכָּרֵ֑תוּ (yik·kā·rê·ṯū)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3772: To cut, to destroy, consume, to covenant

from
מִמֶּֽנָּה׃ (mim·men·nāh)
Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

the land,
מֵאֶ֣רֶץ (mê·’e·reṣ)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

and the unfaithful
וּ֝בוֹגְדִ֗ים (ū·ḇō·wḡ·ḏîm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 898: To cover, to act covertly, to pillage

{will} be uprooted.
יִסְּח֥וּ (yis·sə·ḥū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5255: To pull or tear away


Proverbs 2:22 NIV
Proverbs 2:22 NLT
Proverbs 2:22 ESV
Proverbs 2:22 NASB
Proverbs 2:22 KJV

Proverbs 2:22 BibleApps.com
Proverbs 2:22 Biblia Paralela
Proverbs 2:22 Chinese Bible
Proverbs 2:22 French Bible
Proverbs 2:22 Catholic Bible

OT Poetry: Proverbs 2:22 But the wicked will be cut off (Prov. Pro Pr)