Proverbs 4:19 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.

NIV: But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.

NASB: The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know over what they stumble.

CSB: But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they don't know what makes them stumble.

NLT: But the way of the wicked is like total darkness. They have no idea what they are stumbling over.

KJV: The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.

NKJV: The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know what makes them stumble.

In contrast to the blazing light where the righteous walk is the dark path of the wicked. Solomon compares the way of the wicked to deep darkness, and says the wicked stumble over what they cannot detect. Just as light characterizes the righteous and their walk, so darkness characterizes the wicked and their walk. This imagery emphasizes the way sin and spiritual ignorance cause men to become lost, to fall, and to be afraid.

Jesus portrayed the hard-hearted Pharisees as blind guides, and said, "If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit" (Matthew 15:14). Second Corinthians 4:4 identifies Satan, the god of this world, as the one who "has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God." The apostle John wrote in 1 John 5:19 that "the whole world lies in the power of the evil one." Although believers once followed the Devil, through faith in Jesus Christ, they passed from darkness to light (Ephesians 2:1; 5:8).

Proverbs 4:10–19 contains both positive and negative counsel: ''do'' and ''do not'' statements. Solomon urges his son to choose the positive path of wisdom and avoid the negative ways of wickedness. Those caught in evil are portrayed as overcome, addicted, and desperate. Solomon concludes this section by comparing the path of the righteous to bright light and the way of the wicked to deep darkness.

Common for the first nine chapters of Proverbs, Solomon urges his sons—possibly also other students—to listen to his words. He recalls his early years, when he heard some of these words from his father, David. Wisdom is upheld as the most beneficial thing a person can acquire in life. It brings honor and safety. In contrast, the wicked are perpetual wrongdoers whose goal is to lead others astray. They live for wickedness and violence, and they stumble in the darkness. Solomon urges his sons not to deviate from the path of godly wisdom, either ''to the right or to the left.''

The first nine chapters of the book of Proverbs focus on extolling the value of godly wisdom. In this chapter King Solomon continues to pass along this message to his son. His advice to his sons—possibly also meaning his students—in chapter 4 is similar to what he says in Proverbs 1:8–9; 2:1–6; 3:1–2, 21–26; 5:1–2; 6:20–22; 7:1–3, 24; and 8:22–36. The words of this chapter are partly taken from advice Solomon recalls hearing from his own father, David.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.

Accessed 5/6/2024 4:09:23 AM