Proverbs 28:18
Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.
Original Language Analysis
הוֹלֵ֣ךְ
Whoso walketh
H1980
הוֹלֵ֣ךְ
Whoso walketh
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
1 of 7
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
תָּ֭מִים
uprightly
H8549
תָּ֭מִים
uprightly
Strong's:
H8549
Word #:
2 of 7
entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also (as noun) integrity, truth
יִוָּשֵׁ֑עַ
shall be saved
H3467
יִוָּשֵׁ֑עַ
shall be saved
Strong's:
H3467
Word #:
3 of 7
properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor
וְנֶעְקַ֥שׁ
but he that is perverse
H6140
וְנֶעְקַ֥שׁ
but he that is perverse
Strong's:
H6140
Word #:
4 of 7
to knot or distort; figuratively, to pervert (act or declare perverse)
דְּ֝רָכַ֗יִם
in his ways
H1870
דְּ֝רָכַ֗יִם
in his ways
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
5 of 7
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
Cross References
Proverbs 10:9He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.Proverbs 28:6Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.Revelation 3:3Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.Psalms 84:11For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.Numbers 22:32And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me:Psalms 125:5As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: but peace shall be upon Israel.Psalms 25:21Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee.Psalms 26:11But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me.Proverbs 10:25As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.1 Thessalonians 5:3For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
Historical Context
The metaphor of 'walking' pervades biblical ethics—not static belief but dynamic obedience. Israel's covenant called for walking in God's ways (Deuteronomy 5:33, 8:6). The wisdom tradition consistently contrasts the straight path of the righteous with the crooked path of the wicked (Proverbs 2:15, 4:18-19).
Questions for Reflection
- In what areas of life might you be walking 'perversely' (with a divided heart) rather than 'uprightly' (with integrity)?
- How does the promise of being 'saved' through upright living relate to salvation by grace through faith?
- What crooked paths are you tempted to take that promise shortcuts but threaten sudden collapse?
Analysis & Commentary
Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved (הוֹלֵךְ תָּמִים יִוָּשֵׁעַ, holekh tamim yivvashea)—הָלַךְ (halakh, 'to walk, go, behave') describes the תָּמִים (tamim, 'blameless, complete, having integrity') life. This one will be יָשַׁע (yasha, 'saved, delivered, rescued'). Note: תָּמִים does not mean sinless perfection but wholehearted devotion, walking in covenant faithfulness (Genesis 17:1, 'Walk before me and be blameless').
But he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once (וְנֶעְקַשׁ דְּרָכַיִם יִפּוֹל בְּאֶחָת, vene'qash derakhayim yippol be'echat)—עָקַשׁ (aqash, 'twisted, crooked, perverse') in דֶּרֶךְ (derekh, 'way, path, manner of life') results in נָפַל (nafal, 'to fall, collapse') בְּאֶחָת (be'echat, 'at once, suddenly, in one moment'). Integrity brings gradual deliverance; duplicity brings sudden destruction. Ananias and Sapphira exemplify this principle (Acts 5:1-11).