New King James Version
Proverbs 5:21
21For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, And He ponders 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 Living Translation (NLT)For the Lord sees clearly what a man does, examining every path he takes.
Context of Proverbs 5:21
19As a loving deer and a graceful doe, Let her breasts satisfy you at all times; And always be enraptured with her love. 20For why should you, my son, be enraptured by an immoral woman, And be embraced in the arms of a seductress? For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, And He ponders all his paths. 22His own iniquities entrap the wicked man, And he is caught in the cords of his sin. 23He shall die for lack of instruction, And in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.
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 in every place, Keeping watch on the evil and the good.
- 2 Chronicles 16:9For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.”
- Job 31:4Does He not see my ways, And count all my steps?
- Job 34:21“For His eyes are on the ways of man, And He sees all his steps.
- Psalms 11:4The Lord is in His holy temple, The Lord’s throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men.
- Psalms 17:3You have tested my heart; You have visited me in the night; You have tried me and have found nothing; I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.
- 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, nor is their iniquity hidden from My eyes.
- Jeremiah 17:10I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.
- Jeremiah 23:24Can anyone hide himself in secret places, So I shall not see him?” says the Lord; “Do I not fill heaven and earth?” says the Lord.
- Jeremiah 32:19You are great in counsel and mighty in work, for Your eyes are open to all the ways of the sons of men, to give everyone according to his ways and according to the fruit of his doings.
- Hosea 7:2They do not consider in their hearts That I remember all their wickedness; Now their own deeds have surrounded them; They are before My face.
- Hebrews 4:13And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
- Revelation 2:18“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, ‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass:
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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries