16:4
The first line states a general principle. The second line gives a specific example of this principle.
4a The LORD has made everything for His purpose —
4b
even the wicked for the day of disaster.
16:4a
The LORD has made everything for His purpose: The verb that the Berean Standard Bible translates as has made can mean either “has done” or “has accomplished.” The phrase for His purpose can mean either his (the LORD’s) own ends/purposes or its (everything’s) own end/purpose. These ambiguities have resulted in at least three slightly different interpretations:
(1) The LORD causes everything to happen according to his own purpose. For example:
The Lord makes everything go as he pleases (New Century Version)
-or-
The Lord has a reason for everything he does (Contemporary English Version)
(2) The LORD has made everything for its own purpose. For example:
The Lord has made each thing for its own end (Revised English Bible)
-or-
Everything the Lord has made has its destiny (Good News Translation)
(3) The LORD has made everything for his own purpose. For example:
The Lord has made everything for his own purposes (New Living Translation (2004))
The Display will follow interpretation (1), but you may follow any of these interpretations. The purpose for everything is ultimately what the LORD intended to happen. The LORD also made everything in such a way that its end or destiny will be appropriate.
16:4b
even the wicked for the day of disaster: This line indicates that the LORD even made wicked people with an appropriate purpose or destiny in mind. That purpose is the day of disaster. This phrase refers to a time that God has designated when wicked people will undergo disaster, punishment, or judgment. Some other ways to translate this line are:
and the destiny of the wicked is destruction (Good News Translation)
-or-
He has even prepared a day of disaster for evil people. (New Century Version)
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