Proverbs 24:16 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

For a just man falleth seven times— i.e. Into trouble or affliction, not into wilful sin. The Hebrew word נפל napal, rendered falleth, is never applied to sin; but, when set in opposition to the word קום kum, riseth up, implies affliction or calamity; as in Micah 7:8. Amos 8:4. Jeremiah 25:27 and Psalms 34:19-20. These words are commonly not only in sermons, but in books, applied to the falling into sin; and that men may the more securely indulge themselves in their sins, and yet think themselves good men, they have added something to them; for they are commonly, cited thus, A just man falleth seven times a day; which last words are not in any translation of the Bible, much less in the original; but only in some corrupt editions of the Vulgate. The plain meaning of the text is what we have given; and therefore we must take heed of reading the Holy Scriptures so carelessly, as to turn our medicine into poison; which is the fault of those, who, from such mistakes, give way to their evil affections, and let them carry them into sin.