Proverbs 4:19
Proverbs 4:19 in Multiple Translations
But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they do not know what makes them stumble.
The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.
The way of the wicked is as darkness: They know not at what they stumble.
The way of sinners is dark; they see not the cause of their fall.
But the way of life of the wicked is like complete darkness; they don't even know what they're tripping over.
The way of the wicked is as the darkenes: they knowe not wherein they shall fall.
The way of the wicked [is] as darkness, They have not known at what they stumble.
The way of the wicked is like darkness. They don’t know what they stumble over.
The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.
The way of the wicked is darksome: they know not where they fall.
But the behavior of wicked people is like deep/thick darkness. Because it is very dark, they cannot see the things that cause them to stumble.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 4:19
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Proverbs 4:19 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
דֶּ֣רֶךְ
רְ֭שָׁעִים
כָּֽ/אֲפֵלָ֑ה
לֹ֥א
יָ֝דְע֗וּ
בַּ/מֶּ֥ה
יִכָּשֵֽׁלוּ
דֶּ֣רֶךְ
derek
H1870
way
N-cs
רְ֭שָׁעִים
râshâʻ
H7563
wicked
Adj
כָּֽ/אֲפֵלָ֑ה
ʼăphêlâh
H653
darkness
Prep | N-fs
לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
יָ֝דְע֗וּ
yâdaʻ
H3045
to know
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
בַּ/מֶּ֥ה
mâh
H4100
what?
Prep | Part
יִכָּשֵֽׁלוּ
kâshal
H3782
to stumble
V-Niphal-Imperf-3mp
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 4:19
דֶּ֣רֶךְ
derek
H1870
"way"
N-cs
Derek refers to a road or path, and can also mean a way of life or manner of action. It is often used to describe a journey or direction, and can be used figuratively to describe a person's character or moral path.
Definition: : road/route 1) way, road, distance, journey, manner 1a) road, way, path 1b) journey 1c) direction 1d) manner, habit, way 1e) of course of life (fig.) 1f) of moral character (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 626 OT verses. KJV: along, away, because of, [phrase] by, conversation, custom, (east-) ward, journey, manner, passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-) way(-side), whither(-soever). See also: Genesis 3:24; Deuteronomy 28:29; 1 Kings 15:34.
רְ֭שָׁעִים
râshâʻ
H7563
"wicked"
Adj
This word describes someone who is morally wrong, a bad person who is guilty of crime or sin against God or others. It is used to describe the wicked in biblical stories, such as in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) wicked, criminal 1a) guilty one, one guilty of crime (subst) 1b) wicked (hostile to God) 1c) wicked, guilty of sin (against God or man)
Usage: Occurs in 248 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did wrong. See also: Genesis 18:23; Psalms 101:8; Psalms 1:1.
כָּֽ/אֲפֵלָ֑ה
ʼăphêlâh
H653
"darkness"
Prep | N-fs
This Hebrew word describes a state of darkness or gloom, often used to describe a difficult or trying time. In the book of Isaiah, it is used to describe a time of sadness and despair.
Definition: 1) darkness, gloominess, calamity 2) wickedness (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 10 OT verses. KJV: dark, darkness, gloominess, [idiom] thick. See also: Exodus 10:22; Isaiah 58:10; Proverbs 4:19.
לֹ֥א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
יָ֝דְע֗וּ
yâdaʻ
H3045
"to know"
V-Qal-Perf-3cp
The Hebrew word for to know means to ascertain by seeing, and is used in many senses, including to learn, perceive, and recognize, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to know 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to know 1a1a) to know, learn to know 1a1b) to perceive 1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern 1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish 1a1e) to know by experience 1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess 1a1g) to consider 1a2) to know, be acquainted with 1a3) to know (a person carnally) 1a4) to know how, be skilful in 1a5) to have knowledge, be wise 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed 1b2) to make oneself known 1b3) to be perceived 1b4) to be instructed 1c) (Piel) to cause to know 1d) (Poal) to cause to know 1e) (Pual) 1e1) to be known 1e2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle) 1f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare 1g) (Hophal) to be made known 1h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדַע "to know" H3046)
Usage: Occurs in 874 OT verses. KJV: acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot. See also: Genesis 3:5; Leviticus 5:4; Judges 21:12.
בַּ/מֶּ֥ה
mâh
H4100
"what?"
Prep | Part
This Hebrew word means what or how, often used to ask questions or express surprise, like in Genesis when God asks Adam what he has done. It can also mean why or when, and is used in various ways throughout the Old Testament. It appears in many KJV translations, including how or what.
Definition: interr pron 1) what, how, of what kind 1a) (interrogative) 1a1) what? 1a2) of what kind 1a3) what? (rhetorical) 1a4) whatsoever, whatever, what 1b) (adverb) 1b1) how, how now 1b2) why 1b3) how! (exclamation) 1c) (with prep) 1c1) wherein?, whereby?, wherewith?, by what means? 1c2) because of what? 1c3) the like of what? 1c3a) how much?, how many?, how often? 1c3b) for how long? 1c4) for what reason?, why?, to what purpose? 1c5) until when?, how long?, upon what?, wherefore? indef pron 2) anything, aught, what may
Usage: Occurs in 655 OT verses. KJV: how (long, oft, (-soever)), (no-) thing, what (end, good, purpose, thing), whereby(-fore, -in, -to, -with), (for) why. See also: Genesis 2:19; Numbers 21:5; 1 Samuel 19:5.
יִכָּשֵֽׁלוּ
kâshal
H3782
"to stumble"
V-Niphal-Imperf-3mp
To stumble means to lose your balance and almost fall, often because of weakness. In the Bible, it can also mean to falter or fail spiritually. This word is used in many books, including Psalms and Proverbs.
Definition: 1) to stumble, stagger, totter 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to stumble 1a2) to totter 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to stumble 1b2) to be tottering, be feeble 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to stumble, bring injury or ruin to, overthrow 1c2) to make feeble, make weak 1d) (Hophal) to be made to stumble 1e) (Piel) bereave
Usage: Occurs in 59 OT verses. KJV: bereave (from the margin), cast down, be decayed, (cause to) fail, (cause, make to) fall (down, -ing), feeble, be (the) ruin(-ed, of), (be) overthrown, (cause to) stumble, [idiom] utterly, be weak. See also: Leviticus 26:37; Jeremiah 6:15; Psalms 9:4.
Study Notes — Proverbs 4:19
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 4:19 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 4:19
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 4:19
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 4:19
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 4:19
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 4:19
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 4:19
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 4:19
- Sermons on Proverbs 4:19
Context — A Father’s Instruction
17For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.
18The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday.
19But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they do not know what makes them stumble.
20My son, pay attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. 21Do not lose sight of them; keep them within your heart.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | John 12:35 | Then Jesus told them, “For a little while longer, the Light will be among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. |
| 2 | Isaiah 59:9–10 | Therefore justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us. We hope for light, but there is darkness; for brightness, but we walk in gloom. Like the blind, we feel our way along the wall, groping like those without eyes. We stumble at midday as in the twilight; among the vigorous we are like the dead. |
| 3 | Job 18:5–6 | Indeed, the lamp of the wicked is extinguished; the flame of his fire does not glow. The light in his tent grows dark, and the lamp beside him goes out. |
| 4 | Jeremiah 23:12 | “Therefore their path will become slick; they will be driven away into the darkness and fall into it. For I will bring disaster upon them in the year of their punishment,” declares the LORD. |
| 5 | 1 Samuel 2:9 | He guards the steps of His faithful ones, but the wicked perish in darkness; for by his own strength shall no man prevail. |
| 6 | Jeremiah 13:16 | Give glory to the LORD your God before He brings darkness, before your feet stumble on the dusky mountains. You wait for light, but He turns it into deep gloom and thick darkness. |
| 7 | Job 5:14 | They encounter darkness by day and grope at noon as in the night. |
| 8 | Matthew 15:14 | Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.” |
| 9 | John 11:10 | But if anyone walks at night, he will stumble, because he has no light.” |
| 10 | Proverbs 2:13 | from those who leave the straight paths to walk in the ways of darkness, |
Proverbs 4:19 Summary
[This verse is saying that when people choose to live in sin and reject God, their lives become filled with confusion and darkness, like walking in a very dark room without a light. This is in contrast to those who follow God, whose path is filled with light and direction, as seen in Proverbs 4:18. By following God's ways, we can have confidence and direction in our lives, whereas rejecting God's ways leads to uncertainty and stumbling (Psalm 119:105).]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for the way of the wicked to be like the darkest gloom?
This means that the path of those who reject God and live in sin is marked by confusion, uncertainty, and spiritual darkness, as seen in Ephesians 4:18 where it says they are darkened in their understanding.
Why do the wicked not know what makes them stumble?
The wicked do not know what makes them stumble because they are spiritually blind and do not have the light of God's word to guide them, as stated in Psalm 119:105 where it says God's word is a lamp to our feet.
How does this verse relate to the preceding verse about the path of the righteous?
This verse contrasts the path of the wicked with the path of the righteous, which is described in Proverbs 4:18 as shining brighter and brighter until midday, highlighting the stark difference between living in obedience to God and living in sin.
What can we learn from this verse about the importance of following God's ways?
This verse teaches us that following God's ways is crucial for living a life of purpose and direction, whereas rejecting God's ways leads to darkness and confusion, as seen in Isaiah 55:6-7 where it says we should seek the Lord while He may be found.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I may be walking in darkness, and how can I seek the light of God's word to guide me?
- How can I discern the difference between the path of the righteous and the way of the wicked in my own life?
- What are some areas where I may be stumbling due to a lack of spiritual understanding, and how can I seek God's guidance in these areas?
- How can I apply the principle of Psalm 119:105 to my life, using God's word as a lamp to my feet to guide me on the path of righteousness?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 4:19
The way of the wicked [is] as darkness,.... They are in the darkness of sin, ignorance, error, and unbelief; their works are works of darkness; the way in which they are leads to eternal darkness,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 4:19
The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 4:19
As darkness; full of gross ignorance and error, of uncertainty and confusion, of wickedness, of danger and misery; all which come under the name of darkness in Scripture use, and suit well with the context. Stumble, Heb. shall stumble. Though they are always in danger, yet they are always secure, and do not discern their danger, nor the cause, or manner, or time of their ruin, till they be surprised with it.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 4:19
Proverbs 4:19 The way of the wicked [is] as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.Ver. 19. Is as darkness.] That little light they had by nature they imprison, and are justly deprived of. And as for those sparkles of the light of joy and comfort that hypocrites have, it is but as a flash of lightning which is followed with a thunder clap, or like the light smitten out of the flint; (1.) they cannot warm themselves by it, nor see to direct their ways; (2.) it will quickly go out; (3.) and after that they must "lie down in sorrow." They know not at what they stumble.] They stumble sometimes at Christ himself, and at his word, "being disobedient, whereunto also they were appointed." A shrewd sign of reprobation. The Vulgate renders it, Ne sciunt ubi corruant. They know not how soon they may drop into hell, which even gapes for them.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 4:19
(19) The way of the wicked is as darkness.—By refusing to “walk in the light” of God’s Word, and conscience (1 John 1:7), the light that was in them has become darkness (Matthew 6:23); they know not whither they are going (John 12:35), and stumble (Proverbs 11:10) over difficulties which in the light they might have avoided.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 4:19
19. as darkness] Comp., for the contrast with the preceding verse, Proverbs 13:9.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 4:19
19. As darkness — Thick or dense darkness, the opposite of the shining of the righteous. See Proverbs 4:18; also John 11:9-10; John 12:35.
Sermons on Proverbs 4:19
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
I Am the Way, Truth Life by A.W. Pink | A.W. Pink emphasizes that Christ is the only way to God, bridging the gap between sinners and the divine. He argues that human efforts to reach God are futile and that true underst |
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The Blind Child by D.L. Moody | D.L. Moody shares a poignant story of a mother whose child is declared blind, illustrating the deep sorrow and anguish that accompanies such a loss. He emphasizes that while physic |
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The Wicked Stumbling in Their Darkness by Charles Finney | Charles Finney emphasizes the profound wisdom found in Proverbs, particularly the truth that the wicked stumble in darkness, unaware of their missteps. He explores the various ways |
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Matthew 2:19-23. Joseph's Return. by Favell Lee Mortimer | Favell Lee Mortimer reflects on the important charge committed to Joseph in protecting the infant Savior and His mother, emphasizing God's guidance through dreams in times of perpl |
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What Is the Individual in the Papal System? by Ian Paisley | Ian Paisley preaches about the dangers of the Romish system, highlighting how it leads individuals to blindness, superstition, and poverty. He emphasizes the importance of reading |
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(Men God Made) Isaiah by Willie Mullan | In this sermon, the preacher discusses how Jesus was rejected by the world but acknowledged by a few. He emphasizes that although Jesus came in glory, many people failed to truly u |
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Light Separated From Darkness by Erlo Stegen | In this sermon, the preacher begins by emphasizing the importance of light and darkness in the Bible. He references the creation story in Genesis, where God separates light from da |