Proverbs 3:23
Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
Original Language Analysis
אָ֤ז
H227
תֵּלֵ֣ךְ
H1980
תֵּלֵ֣ךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
2 of 7
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
לָבֶ֣טַח
safely
H983
לָבֶ֣טַח
safely
Strong's:
H983
Word #:
3 of 7
properly, a place of refuge; abstract, safety, both the fact (security) and the feeling (trust); often (adverb with or without preposition) safely
דַּרְכֶּ֑ךָ
in thy way
H1870
דַּרְכֶּ֑ךָ
in thy way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
4 of 7
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
וְ֝רַגְלְךָ֗
and thy foot
H7272
וְ֝רַגְלְךָ֗
and thy foot
Strong's:
H7272
Word #:
5 of 7
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
Cross References
Proverbs 10:9He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.Proverbs 4:12When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.Psalms 121:3He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.Psalms 37:31The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.Psalms 121:8The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.Proverbs 2:8He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.Zechariah 10:12And I will strengthen them in the LORD; and they shall walk up and down in his name, saith the LORD.
Historical Context
Ancient travel involved genuine physical danger - rocky terrain, wild animals, bandits. The metaphor would resonate powerfully with original audience. Spiritually, Israel's journey from Egypt to Canaan demonstrated that following God's guidance provides safe passage through dangerous territory.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'stumbling blocks' in your life might be avoided by following wisdom more carefully?
- How does walking in wisdom provide security that no amount of human planning can achieve?
- In what areas of life do you need confidence that God's wisdom will keep you from falling?
Analysis & Commentary
The promise of safe walking without stumbling assumes wisdom guides our path. The Hebrew 'betach' (safely/securely) and 'nagaph' (stumble) use pedestrian imagery for life navigation. Wisdom provides sure-footedness on life's hazardous paths. This isn't promise of trouble-free existence but confident traversing of difficulties without catastrophic failure. The stumbling-free path comes from following divine wisdom rather than human cleverness.