Christian Standard Bible
Proverbs 4:19
19But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they don’t know what makes them stumble.
Proverbs 4:19 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.
- New International Version (NIV)But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.
- English Standard Version (ESV)The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.
- New King James Version (NKJV)The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know what makes them stumble.
Context of Proverbs 4:19
17They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence. 18The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday. But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they don’t know what makes them stumble. 20My son, pay attention to my words; listen closely to my sayings. 21Don’t lose sight of them; keep them within your heart.
Read all of Proverbs 4Proverbs 4:19 word by word
דֶּ֣רֶךְ רְ֭שָׁעִים כָּֽאֲפֵלָ֑ה לֹ֥א יָ֝דְע֗וּ בַּמֶּ֥ה יִכָּשֵֽׁלוּ׃ פRead the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 4:19
- 1 Samuel 2:9He guards the steps of his faithful ones, but the wicked perish in darkness, for a person does not prevail by his own strength.
- Job 5:14They encounter darkness by day, and they grope at noon as if it were night.
- Job 12:25They grope around in darkness without light; he makes them stagger like a drunkard.
- Job 18:5Yes, the light of the wicked is extinguished; the flame of his fire does not glow.
- Isaiah 59:9Therefore justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us. We hope for light, but there is darkness; for brightness, but we live in the night.
- Jeremiah 13:16Give glory to the Lord your God before he brings darkness, before your feet stumble on the mountains at dusk. You wait for light, but he brings darkest gloom and makes total darkness.
- Jeremiah 23:12Therefore, their way will seem like slippery paths in the gloom. They will be driven away and fall down there, for I will bring disaster on them, the year of their punishment. This is the Lord’s declaration.
- Matthew 7:23Then I will announce to them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you lawbreakers!’
- Matthew 15:14Leave them alone! They are blind guides. And if the blind guide the blind, both will fall into a pit.”
- John 12:35Jesus answered, “The light will be with you only a little longer. Walk while you have the light so that darkness doesn’t overtake you. The one who walks in darkness doesn’t know where he’s going.
- 1 John 2:11But the one who hates his brother or sister is in the darkness, walks in the darkness, and doesn’t know where he’s going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
Commentaries on Proverbs 4:19
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4-20Verses 4-20 The counsel which has come to him, in substance, from his father. Compare it with 2 Samuel 23:2 etc.; 1 Chronicles 28:9; 1 Chronicles 29:17; Psalm 15:1-5; Psalm 24:1-10; Proverbs 4:7 Or, “The beginning of wisdom is - get wisdom.” To seek is to find, to desire is to obtain. Proverbs 4:12 The ever-recurring parable of the journey of life. In the way of wisdom the path is clear and open, obstacles disappear; in the quickest activity (“when thou…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 14-27Verses 14-27 The way of evil men may seem pleasant, and the nearest way to compass some end; but it is an evil way, and will end ill; if thou love thy God and thy soul, avoid it. It is not said, Keep at a due distance, but at a great distance; never think you can get far enough from it. The way of the righteous is light; Christ is their Way, and he is the Light. The saints will not be perfect till they reach heaven, but there they shall shine as the sun…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 18-19Light symbolizes wisdom and righteousness, while darkness represents foolishness and wickedness (see Ecclesiastes 2:12–14). Light reveals actions; darkness conceals them. Righteous people have nothing to hide, but the wicked try to hide their actions and stumble over obstacles in the dark (see Matthew 4:16; 5:14–16; John 1:14; Romans 2:19).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 18-1918-19. As shining light increases from twilight to noonday splendor, so the course of the just increases in purity, but that of the wicked is as thickest darkness, in which one knows not on what he stumbles.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 4:19
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 4
- 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
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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