For they will bring sudden destruction.
This phrase warns of the consequences that come from associating with those who rebel against authority or engage in wickedness. The suddenness of the destruction implies an unexpected and swift judgment, reminiscent of the sudden downfall of the wicked in other parts of Scripture, such as the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:24-25). The idea of sudden destruction is also echoed in the New Testament, where Paul warns of the suddenness of the Day of the Lord (1 Thessalonians 5:3). This serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of divine judgment and the importance of living righteously.

Who knows what ruin they can bring?
This rhetorical question emphasizes the uncertainty and potential severity of the consequences of aligning with those who oppose God's ways. The unpredictability of the ruin suggests that it could be more extensive and devastating than anticipated. This echoes the wisdom literature's theme of the limits of human understanding and the need for reliance on God's wisdom (Proverbs 3:5-6). The phrase also serves as a caution against complacency, urging believers to remain vigilant and discerning in their associations and actions. The ruin brought by the wicked can be both physical and spiritual, affecting not only individuals but entire communities, as seen in the historical accounts of Israel's disobedience leading to exile (2 Kings 17:6-23).

1. Solomon
- Traditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. His writings often provide practical guidance for living a life that honors God.

2. The Wise and the Foolish
- Throughout Proverbs, Solomon contrasts the wise, who fear the Lord and follow His commandments, with the foolish, who reject wisdom and face destruction.

3. Rulers and Authorities
- The context of this verse involves the potential for rulers or authorities to bring about sudden destruction, emphasizing the need for discernment and respect for authority.Respect for Authority
Christians are called to respect and submit to authorities, recognizing that God has established them for order and justice.

The Consequences of Rebellion
Rebelling against authority can lead to sudden and unforeseen destruction. Believers should exercise wisdom and discernment in their interactions with those in power.

The Unpredictability of Judgment
The verse warns of the unpredictability of judgment and destruction. It serves as a reminder to live righteously and be prepared for the consequences of our actions.

The Fear of the Lord
True wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord. By aligning our lives with His will, we can avoid the pitfalls of foolishness and destruction.Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 24

Proverbs 24:21–22: Why is fearing both God and the king endorsed, given numerous biblical accounts of corrupt or idolatrous kings?

Has there been any historical or archaeological evidence to support the fulfillment of Malachi 4:3, where the righteous literally tread on the ashes of the wicked?

How can Psalm 37:9 ('evildoers shall be cut off') be taken seriously when many wicked individuals throughout history have lived long and prosperous lives?

Proverbs 14:34: How do we explain the rise and fall of nations that show little adherence to righteous or biblical principles?(22) The ruin of them both--i.e., the rebels against God and the king.

Verse 22. - For their calamity shall rise suddenly. Though these dissidents seem to succeed for a time, yet retribution shall fall suddenly upon them. And who knoweth the ruin of them both? This seems to mean the two classes, those who dishonour God and those who dishonour the king; but no such distinction is made in the previous verse; the rebels are classed under one category. Wordsworth renders, "the stroke of vengeance from them both," i.e. from God and the king. Otherwise, we must give another signification to שׁניהם, and, with the Syriac and many modern commentators, take it in the sense of "years," which שְׁנֵיהֶם will bear, as Job 36:11, and translate, "The destruction [equivalent to 'end'] of their years, who knoweth?" No one can tell when the crisis of their fate shall come; but it will arrive some day, and then the time of their prosperity will be at an end. Septuagint, "For they (God and the king) will suddenly punish the ungodly; and who shall know the vengeance of both (τὰς τιμωρίας ἀμφοτέρων)?" After this the LXX. inserts three proverbs not found now in the Hebrew, which, however, Ewald ('Jahrb. der Bibl. Wissensch.,' 11:17, etc.) considers to have been translated from a Hebrew original: "A son that keepeth the commandment shall be safe from destruction (Proverbs 29:27, Vulgate), and he hath fully received it (the word). Let no lie be spoken by the tongue of the king; and no he shall proceed from his tongue. The king's tongue is a sword, and not of flesh; and whosoever shall be delivered unto it shall be destroyed; for if his anger be inflamed, he consumes men with their nerves, and devours men's bones, and burns them up as a flame, so that they are not food for the young eagles." The allusion at the end is to animals killed by lightning. Here follows the series of proverbs (Proverbs 30:1-14) called in the Hebrew, "The words of Agur." The second part of "the words of Agur," and "the words of Lemuel" (Proverbs 30:15-31:9) follow in the Greek after Proverbs 24:34 of the Hebrew. Delitzsch explains the matter thus: In the copy from which the Alexandrines translated, the appendix (Proverbs 30-31:9) was divided into two parts, half of it standing after "the words of the wise" (Proverbs 22:17-24:22), and half after the supplement containing further sayings of wise men (Proverbs 24:23-34).

Parallel Commentaries ...


For
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

[those two] will bring
יָק֣וּם (yā·qūm)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand

sudden
פִ֭תְאֹם (p̄iṯ·’ōm)
Adverb
Strong's 6597: Suddenness, suddenly

destruction;
אֵידָ֑ם (’ê·ḏām)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 343: Oppression, misfortune, ruin

who
מִ֣י (mî)
Interrogative
Strong's 4310: Who?, whoever, in oblique construction with prefix, suffix

knows
יוֹדֵֽעַ׃ (yō·w·ḏê·a‘)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3045: To know

what ruin
וּפִ֥יד (ū·p̄îḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6365: Ruin, disaster

[they] can bring?
שְׁ֝נֵיהֶ֗ם (nê·hem)
Number - mdc | third person masculine plural
Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number)


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 24:22 For their calamity will rise suddenly (Prov. Pro Pr)