The wanderer from the way of knowledge will have his resting-place among the shades.
MESSAGE
Whoever wanders off the straight and narrow ends up in a congregation of ghosts.
NKJV
A man who wanders from the way of understanding Will rest in the assembly of the dead.
PHILIPS
RWEBSTR
The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
GWV
A person who wanders from the way of wise behavior will rest in the assembly of the dead.
NET
The one who wanders* from the way of wisdom* will end up* in the company of the departed.*
NET
21:16 The one who wanders1851
tn The text uses “man” as the subject and the active participle תּוֹעֶה (to’eh) as the predicate. The image of “wandering off the path” signifies leaving a life of knowledge, prudence, and discipline.
tnHeb “will remain” or “will rest.” The Hebrew word נוּחַ (nuakh) does not here carry any of the connotations of comforting repose in death that the righteous enjoy; it simply means “to remain; to reside; to dwell.” The choice of this verb might have an ironic twist to it, reminding the wicked what might have been.
in the company of the departed.1854
snThe departed are the Shades (the Rephaim). The literal expression “will rest among the Shades” means “will be numbered among the dead.” So once again physical death is presented as the punishment for folly.