Christian Standard Bible
Proverbs 5:21
21For a man’s ways are before the Lord’s eyes, and he considers all his paths.
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 deer, a graceful doe — let her breasts always satisfy you; be lost in her love forever. 20Why, my son, would you lose yourself with a forbidden woman or embrace a wayward woman? For a man’s ways are before the Lord’s eyes, and he considers all his paths. 22A wicked man’s iniquities will trap him; he will become tangled in the ropes of his own sin. 23He will die because there is no discipline, and be lost because of his great stupidity.
Read all of Proverbs 5Proverbs 5:21 word by word
כִּ֤י נֹ֨כַח׀ עֵינֵ֣י יְ֭הוָה דַּרְכֵי־אִ֑ישׁ וְֽכָל־מַעְגְּלֹתָ֥יו מְפַלֵּֽס׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 5:21
- Proverbs 15:3The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, observing the wicked and the good.
- 2 Chronicles 16:9For the eyes of the Lord roam throughout the earth to show himself strong for those who are wholeheartedly devoted to him. You have been foolish in this matter. Therefore, you will have wars from now on.”
- Job 31:4Does he not see my ways and number all my steps?
- Job 34:21For his eyes watch over a man’s ways, and he observes all his steps.
- Psalms 11:4The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord—his throne is in heaven. His eyes watch; his gaze examines everyone.
- Psalms 17:3You have tested my heart; you have examined me at night. You have tried me and found nothing evil; I have determined that my mouth will not sin.
- Psalms 139:1Lord, you have searched me and known me.
- Jeremiah 16:17for my gaze takes in all their ways. They are not concealed from me, and their iniquity is not hidden from my sight.
- Jeremiah 17:10I, the Lord, examine the mind, I test the heart to give to each according to his way, according to what his actions deserve.
- Jeremiah 23:24Can a person hide in secret places where I cannot see him?” — the Lord’s declaration. “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?” — the Lord’s declaration.
- Jeremiah 32:19the one great in counsel and powerful in action. Your eyes are on all the ways of the children of men in order to reward each person according to his ways and as the result of his actions.
- Hosea 7:2But they never consider that I remember all their evil. Now their actions are all around them; they are right in front of my face.
- Hebrews 4:13No creature is hidden from him, but all things are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give an account.
- Revelation 2:18“Write to the angel of the church in Thyatira: Thus says the Son of God, the one whose eyes are like a fiery flame and whose feet are like fine 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
In the dictionaries
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
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