The first part of this saying expressed in different terms is found in Psa 7.15 (Hebrew verse 16). The thought expressed here is that the person who plans someone else’s downfall will be crushed by his own evil.

“He who digs a pit will fall in to it”: “A pit” refers to a hole, a ditch, or a similar opening in the ground. It may be necessary in translation to make clear that the “pit” is dug to trap someone other than the digger; for example, “If you dig a pit to catch somebody, you will fall into it yourself.”

“And a stone will come back upon him who starts it rolling”: This line parallels the first by referring to a person who causes a “stone” to start rolling downhill (to crush somebody below). It is important that the reader understand that this refers to a round, heavy stone. “Will come back upon him who . . .” means “will roll backward upon the person pushing the stone.” Note that Good News Translation has shifted to “set traps” in line 1 and “start landslides” in line 2. Biblia Dios Habla Hoy says “He who digs a grave falls into it; and the one who makes a rock roll is crushed by the rock.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .