Proverbs 4:19
The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.
Original Language Analysis
דֶּ֣רֶךְ
The way
H1870
דֶּ֣רֶךְ
The way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
1 of 7
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
רְ֭שָׁעִים
of the wicked
H7563
רְ֭שָׁעִים
of the wicked
Strong's:
H7563
Word #:
2 of 7
morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
כָּֽאֲפֵלָ֑ה
is as darkness
H653
כָּֽאֲפֵלָ֑ה
is as darkness
Strong's:
H653
Word #:
3 of 7
duskiness, figuratively, misfortune; concrete, concealment
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
4 of 7
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָ֝דְע֗וּ
they know
H3045
יָ֝דְע֗וּ
they know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
5 of 7
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
Cross References
John 12:35Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth.Jeremiah 23:12Wherefore their way shall be unto them as slippery ways in the darkness: they shall be driven on, and fall therein: for I will bring evil upon them, even the year of their visitation, saith the LORD.1 Samuel 2:9He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.Jeremiah 13:16Give glory to the LORD your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness.Job 18:18He shall be driven from light into darkness, and chased out of the world.Job 5:14They meet with darkness in the daytime, and grope in the noonday as in the night.Job 12:25They grope in the dark without light, and he maketh them to stagger like a drunken man.Proverbs 2:13Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;Matthew 7:23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.Matthew 15:14Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
Historical Context
Continues the path/light imagery common in wisdom literature. Ancient night travel was perilous without illumination; the metaphor effectively conveyed spiritual danger of moral darkness.
Questions for Reflection
- What areas of spiritual darkness in your life are causing you to stumble repeatedly?
- How can you seek God's light to illuminate dangers you're currently blind to?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The wicked's way is like darkness - they stumble and don't know what trips them. Moral darkness produces both disorientation and ignorance of danger. The wicked lack understanding of what causes their downfall because they lack moral and spiritual light. This contrasts with the righteous's increasing light (v.18). The verse exposes wickedness's self-destructive nature - sin blinds to its own consequences until destruction arrives.