Proverbs 16:25
There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Original Language Analysis
יֵ֤שׁ
There is
H3426
יֵ֤שׁ
There is
Strong's:
H3426
Word #:
1 of 8
there is or are (or any other form of the verb to be, as may suit the connection)
דַּרְכֵי
a way
H1870
דַּרְכֵי
a way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
2 of 8
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
לִפְנֵי
that seemeth
H6440
לִפְנֵי
that seemeth
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
4 of 8
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
אִ֑ישׁ
unto a man
H376
אִ֑ישׁ
unto a man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
5 of 8
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
וְ֝אַחֲרִיתָ֗הּ
but the end
H319
וְ֝אַחֲרִיתָ֗הּ
but the end
Strong's:
H319
Word #:
6 of 8
the last or end, hence, the future; also posterity
Cross References
Proverbs 14:12There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.Proverbs 12:15The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.Proverbs 12:26The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.2 Corinthians 13:5Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?John 9:40And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also?Acts 26:9I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
Historical Context
Echoes Genesis 3 where the tree 'seemed good' yet brought death. Human moral intuitions, corrupted by fall, confidently pursue destruction. Only divine revelation corrects fallen reason.
Questions for Reflection
- What currently seems right to you that might actually lead to death?
- How do you subject your moral intuitions to Scripture's authority?
Analysis & Commentary
There is a way that seems right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. This critical verse (repeated at 14:12) warns that subjective certainty doesn't guarantee truth. Autonomous human reason, unaided by revelation, confidently walks toward death despite subjective assurance of rightness. The verse refutes both moral relativism ('seems right to me') and rationalistic confidence in unaided human reason. Only God's Word reliably guides to life.