Pro 10:27 | NETfull | STEP | Fearing the Lord prolongs life, but the life span of the wicked will be shortened.

Proverbs 10:27

27 Fearing the Lord ^{▼▼ Heb “the fear of the Lord.” The term יְהוָה (y^ehvah, “the Lord”) functions as an objective genitive.} prolongs life, ^{▼▼ Heb “days” (so KJV, ASV).}
but the life span ^{▼▼ Heb “years.” The term “years” functions as a synecdoche of part (= years) for the whole (= lifespan).} of the wicked will be shortened. ^{▼▼ This general saying has to be qualified with the problem of the righteous suffering and dying young, a problem that perplexed the sages of the entire ancient world. But this is the general principle: The righteous live longer because their life is the natural one and because God blesses them.}