As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.
When a whirlwind passes through, it's gone quickly - that's how it is with wicked people: they don't last. But righteous people are like a foundation that lasts forever.
This verse is saying that evil people's influence is temporary like a passing storm, while good people create something lasting and stable.
📚 Historical Context
This proverb was likely written during Solomon's reign when Israel was experiencing prosperity and establishing wisdom literature. The imagery of whirlwinds was familiar to ancient Middle Eastern people who regularly witnessed sudden, destructive storms that would sweep through and then disappear. The concept of foundations was especially meaningful in a culture focused on building permanent structures and establishing lasting legacies.
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