Proverbs 6:28
Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?
Original Language Analysis
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
1 of 8
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
יְהַלֵּ֣ךְ
go
H1980
יְהַלֵּ֣ךְ
go
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
2 of 8
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
אִ֭ישׁ
Can one
H376
אִ֭ישׁ
Can one
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
3 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)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
4 of 8
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
וְ֝רַגְלָ֗יו
and his feet
H7272
וְ֝רַגְלָ֗יו
and his feet
Strong's:
H7272
Word #:
6 of 8
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
Historical Context
Throughout Scripture, fire metaphorically represents both divine holiness and destructive judgment. Sexual sin burns - it consumes everything it touches: relationships, reputation, spiritual sensitivity, peace. James 1:14-15 describes sin's progression from desire to action to death. The fire imagery captures sin's consuming nature.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'fire' are you carrying in your bosom while naively thinking you won't be burned?
- How have you witnessed sin's 'burning' consequences despite attempts to manage or control it?
- What immediate action would remove dangerous 'fire' before burning begins?
Analysis & Commentary
Can a man take fire into his bosom without burning his clothes? The rhetorical question expects negative answer: impossible. Fire inevitably burns what it contacts. Similarly, sexual sin inevitably produces destructive consequences. The Hebrew 'esh' (fire) and 'sarap' (burn) create vivid imagery. Playing with sexual temptation while expecting to avoid consequences is as foolish as embracing fire while expecting not to burn.