Proverbs 5:21

Proverbs 5:21 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his goings.
• New International Version (NIV)For your ways are in full view of the Lord, and he examines all your paths.
• English Standard Version (ESV)For a man's ways are before the eyes of the Lord, and he ponders all his paths.
• New King James Version (NKJV)For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, And He ponders all his paths.

Context of Proverbs 5:21

19A loving doe, a graceful fawn— may her breasts satisfy you always; may you be captivated by her love forever. 20Why be captivated, my son, by an adulteress, or embrace the bosom of a stranger? For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the LORD, and the LORD examines all his paths. 22The iniquities of a wicked man entrap him; the cords of his sin entangle him. 23He dies for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly.

Proverbs 5:21 word by word

כִּ֤י נֹ֨כַח׀ עֵינֵ֣י יְ֭הוָה דַּרְכֵי־אִ֑ישׁ וְֽכָל־מַעְגְּלֹתָ֥יו מְפַלֵּֽס׃Read the interlinear

• Forכִּיkîy · forH3588
• a man’sאִישׁ'îysh · manH376
• waysדֶּ֫רֶךְderek · way: conductH1870
• are beforeנֹ֫כַחnôkach · beforeH5227
• the eyesעַ֫יִן‛ayin · eyeH5869
• of the LORDיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
• and the LORD examinesפָּלַסpâlas · weighH6424
• allכֹּלkôl kôl · allH3605
• his pathsמַעְגָּלma‛gâl ma‛gâlâh · trackH4570

Cross-references for Proverbs 5:21

• Proverbs 15:3The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good.
• 2 Chronicles 16:9For the eyes of the LORD roam to and fro over all the earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are fully devoted to Him. You have acted foolishly in this matter. From now on, therefore, you will be at war.”
• Job 31:4Does He not see my ways and count my every step?
• Job 34:21For His eyes are on the ways of a man, and He sees his every step.
• Psalms 11:4The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD is on His heavenly throne. His eyes are watching closely; they examine the sons of men.
• Psalms 17:3You have tried my heart; You have visited me in the night. You have tested me and found no evil; I have resolved not to sin with my mouth.
• Psalms 139:1O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
• Jeremiah 16:17For My eyes are on all their ways. They are not hidden from My face, and their guilt is not concealed from My eyes.
• Jeremiah 17:10I, the LORD, search the heart; I examine the mind to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve.
• Jeremiah 23:24“Can a man hide in secret places where I cannot see him?” declares the LORD. “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?” declares the LORD.
• Jeremiah 32:19the One great in counsel and mighty in deed, whose eyes are on all the ways of the sons of men, to reward each one according to his ways and according to the fruit of his deeds.
• Hosea 7:2But they fail to consider in their hearts that I remember all their evil. Now their deeds are all around them; they are before My face.
• Hebrews 4:13Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
• Revelation 2:18To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like a blazing fire and whose feet are like polished bronze.

Commentaries on Proverbs 5:21

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 21For the ways of a man - Whether they are public or private, God sees all the steps thou takest in life.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 21One more warning. The sin is not against man, nor dependent on man‘s detection only. The secret sin is open before the eyes of Yahweh. In the balance of His righteous judgment are weighed all human acts. Pondereth - Note the recurrence of the word used of the harlot herself (see Proverbs 1:6 note): she ponders not, God does.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 15-23Verses 15-23 Lawful marriage is a means God has appointed to keep from these destructive vices. But we are not properly united, except as we attend to God's word, seeking his direction and blessing, and acting with affection. Ever remember, that though secret sins may escape the eyes of our fellow-creatures, yet a man's ways are before the eyes of the Lord, who not only sees, but ponders all his goings. Those who are so foolish as to choose the way of…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 21-23Even if a man hides an illicit relationship from his family and society, the Lord knows. Adultery is a sin against God (Genesis 39:8–9).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2121. The reason, God's eye is on you,Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 5:21

• Adultery
• Chastity
• God Continued...
• Heart
• Temptation
• Young Men

In the dictionaries

• Cord
• Mouth
• Education
• Foreknow; Foreknowledge
• Going; Goings
• Hezekiah (2)
• Omniscience
• Proverbs, the Book of
• Purity

Commentaries on Proverbs 5

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings