Proverbs 4:27
Proverbs 4:27 in Multiple Translations
Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your feet away from evil.
Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.
Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: Remove thy foot from evil.
Let there be no turning to the right or to the left, keep your feet from evil.
Don't deviate to the right or the left, and turn away from evil.
Turne not to the right hande, nor to the left, but remooue thy foote from euill.
Incline not [to] the right or to the left, Turn aside thy foot from evil!
Don’t turn to the right hand nor to the left. Remove your foot from evil.
Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.
Decline not to the right hand, nor to the left: turn away thy foot from evil. For the Lord knoweth the ways that are on the right hand: but those are perverse which are on the left hand. But he will make thy courses straight, he will bring forward thy ways in peace.
Do not leave the straight road by turning to the left or to the right. Do only what is right and keep yourself from doing what is evil.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 4:27
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 4:27 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אַֽל
תֵּט
יָמִ֥ין
וּ/שְׂמֹ֑אול
הָסֵ֖ר
רַגְלְ/ךָ֣
מֵ/רָֽע
אַֽל
ʼal
H408
not
Part
תֵּט
nâṭâh
H5186
to stretch
V-Qal-Juss-2ms
יָמִ֥ין
yâmîyn
H3225
Ben]jamin
N-fs
וּ/שְׂמֹ֑אול
sᵉmôʼwl
H8040
left
Conj | N-ms
הָסֵ֖ר
çûwr
H5493
to turn aside
V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms
רַגְלְ/ךָ֣
regel
H7272
foot
N-fs | Suff
מֵ/רָֽע
raʻ
H7451
bad
Prep | Adj
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 4:27
אַֽל
ʼal
H408
"not"
Part
Means not or nothing, used to express negation, as in the phrase do not or let not be.
Definition: 1) not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference) 1a) do not, let not (with a verb) 1b) let there not be (with a verb understood) 1c) not, no (with substantive) 1d) nothing (as substantive) Aramaic equivalent: al (אַל "not" H0409)
Usage: Occurs in 572 OT verses. KJV: nay, neither, [phrase] never, no, nor, not, nothing (worth), rather than. See also: Genesis 13:8; Joshua 11:6; 1 Chronicles 22:13.
תֵּט
nâṭâh
H5186
"to stretch"
V-Qal-Juss-2ms
To stretch or spread out, often used to describe physical movement, but also moral deflection, as seen in the story of Israel's decline in the book of Judges.
Definition: 1) to stretch out, extend, spread out, pitch, turn, pervert, incline, bend, bow 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to stretch out, extend, stretch, offer 1a2) to spread out, pitch (tent) 1a3) to bend, turn, incline 1a3a) to turn aside, incline, decline, bend down 1a3b) to bend, bow 1a3c) to hold out, extend (fig.) 1b) (Niphal) to be stretched out 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to stretch out 1c2) to spread out 1c3) to turn, incline, influence, bend down, hold out, extend, thrust aside, thrust away
Usage: Occurs in 207 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afternoon, apply, bow (down, -ing), carry aside, decline, deliver, extend, go down, be gone, incline, intend, lay, let down, offer, outstretched, overthrown, pervert, pitch, prolong, put away, shew, spread (out), stretch (forth, out), take (aside), turn (aside, away), wrest, cause to yield. See also: Genesis 12:8; Psalms 31:3; Psalms 17:6.
יָמִ֥ין
yâmîyn
H3225
"Ben]jamin"
N-fs
Benjamin was a son of Israel and Rachel, and the brother of Joseph, mentioned in Genesis 35:18. The name also refers to the right hand or south direction.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Benjamin living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.35.18; son of: Israel (H3478) and Rachel (H7354); brother of: Joseph (H3130); half-brother of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074) and Dinah (H1783); father of: Bela (H1106A), Becher (H1071), Ashbel (H0788), Gera (H1617), Naaman (H5283), Ehi (H0278), Rosh (H7220), Muppim (H4649), Huppim (H2650H), Ard (H0714), Ahiram (H0297) and Jediael (H3043); also called Jamin at 1Sa.9.1,4; 22.7; 1x Another name of bin.ya.min (בִּנְיָמִין "Benjamin" H1144G)
Usage: Occurs in 134 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] left-handed, right (hand, side), south. See also: Genesis 13:9; Psalms 18:36; Psalms 16:8.
וּ/שְׂמֹ֑אול
sᵉmôʼwl
H8040
"left"
Conj | N-ms
This word means 'left' or 'north', referring to the left hand or side, as seen in KJV translations. It describes direction or orientation.
Definition: 1) the left, the left hand, the left side 1a) left 1b) left hand 1c) north (as one faces east)
Usage: Occurs in 53 OT verses. KJV: left (hand, side). See also: Genesis 13:9; 1 Kings 22:19; Proverbs 3:16.
הָסֵ֖ר
çûwr
H5493
"to turn aside"
V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms
To turn aside or remove is the meaning of this verb, used in various forms throughout the Bible. It can mean to depart, avoid, or put something away, and is often used in the context of turning away from sin or wrongdoing, as seen in the actions of prophets and leaders in the Old Testament.
Definition: : remove 1) to turn aside, depart 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn aside, turn in unto 1a2) to depart, depart from way, avoid 1a3) to be removed 1a4) to come to an end 1b) (Polel) to turn aside 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to cause to turn aside, cause to depart, remove, take away, put away, depose 1c2) to put aside, leave undone, retract, reject, abolish 1d) (Hophal) to be taken away, be removed
Usage: Occurs in 284 OT verses. KJV: be(-head), bring, call back, decline, depart, eschew, get (you), go (aside), [idiom] grievous, lay away (by), leave undone, be past, pluck away, put (away, down), rebel, remove (to and fro), revolt, [idiom] be sour, take (away, off), turn (aside, away, in), withdraw, be without. See also: Genesis 8:13; 2 Samuel 6:10; Psalms 6:9.
רַגְלְ/ךָ֣
regel
H7272
"foot"
N-fs | Suff
This word also means a foot, like when God says he will tread on the wicked in Malachi 4:3. It's used to describe human and animal feet, as well as the base of objects like tables or idols.
Definition: 1) foot 1a) foot, leg 1b) of God (anthropomorphic) 1c) of seraphim, cherubim, idols, animals, table 1d) according to the pace of (with prep) 1e) three times (feet, paces) Aramaic equivalent: re.gal (רְגַל "foot" H7271)
Usage: Occurs in 232 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] be able to endure, [idiom] according as, [idiom] after, [idiom] coming, [idiom] follow, (broken-)foot(-ed, -stool), [idiom] great toe, [idiom] haunt, [idiom] journey, leg, [phrase] piss, [phrase] possession, time. See also: Genesis 8:9; 2 Samuel 22:39; Psalms 8:7.
מֵ/רָֽע
raʻ
H7451
"bad"
Prep | Adj
Ra means bad or evil, referring to moral or natural harm. It describes adversity, affliction, or distress, and is often used to convey a sense of misery or injury.
Definition: : harmful adj 1) bad, evil 1a) bad, disagreeable, malignant 1b) bad, unpleasant, evil (giving pain, unhappiness, misery) 1c) evil, displeasing 1d) bad (of its kind-land, water, etc) 1e) bad (of value) 1f) worse than, worst (comparison) 1g) sad, unhappy 1h) evil (hurtful) 1i) bad, unkind (vicious in disposition) 1j) bad, evil, wicked (ethically) 1j1) in general, of persons, of thoughts 1j2) deeds, actions
Usage: Occurs in 623 OT verses. KJV: adversity, affliction, bad, calamity, [phrase] displease(-ure), distress, evil((-favouredness), man, thing), [phrase] exceedingly, [idiom] great, grief(-vous), harm, heavy, hurt(-ful), ill (favoured), [phrase] mark, mischief(-vous), misery, naught(-ty), noisome, [phrase] not please, sad(-ly), sore, sorrow, trouble, vex, wicked(-ly, -ness, one), worse(-st), wretchedness, wrong. (Incl. feminine raaah; as adjective or noun.). See also: Genesis 2:9; Judges 9:57; 2 Kings 21:6.
Study Notes — Proverbs 4:27
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 4:27 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 4:27
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 4:27
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 4:27
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 4:27
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 4:27
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 4:27
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 4:27
- Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 4:27
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 4:27
- Sermons on Proverbs 4:27
Context — A Father’s Instruction
25Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead.
26Make a level path for your feet, and all your ways will be sure.
27Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your feet away from evil.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deuteronomy 5:32 | So be careful to do as the LORD your God has commanded you; you are not to turn aside to the right or to the left. |
| 2 | Joshua 1:7 | Above all, be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe all the law that My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may prosper wherever you go. |
| 3 | Deuteronomy 28:14 | Do not turn aside to the right or to the left from any of the words I command you today, and do not go after other gods to serve them. |
| 4 | Deuteronomy 12:32 | See that you do everything I command you; do not add to it or subtract from it. |
| 5 | Proverbs 16:17 | The highway of the upright leads away from evil; he who guards his way protects his life. |
| 6 | Isaiah 1:16 | Wash and cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. Stop doing evil! |
| 7 | Romans 12:9 | Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good. |
Proverbs 4:27 Summary
[This verse is telling us to stay on the path that God has set before us and not to wander off to the right or to the left, which means to avoid sin and stay close to God, as we are reminded in Psalm 16:11. By keeping our eyes fixed on God and trusting in His guidance, we can stay on the straight and narrow path. As we walk in obedience to God's Word, we can be confident that He will direct our steps, as Proverbs 3:5-6 promises.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to swerve to the right or to the left in Proverbs 4:27?
In this context, swerving to the right or to the left means to deviate from the path of righteousness, as described in Psalm 119:105, where the Word of God is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, guiding us to stay on the straight and narrow way.
How can I make sure I am not turning my feet away from the path of righteousness?
To stay on the path of righteousness, we must continually seek wisdom and guidance from God, as Proverbs 2:6 reminds us, and trust in His sovereignty, as stated in Proverbs 3:5-6, to direct our steps.
What is the relationship between this verse and the preceding verses?
Proverbs 4:25-26 sets the stage for verse 27 by emphasizing the importance of fixing our gaze straight ahead and making a level path for our feet, which in turn enables us to avoid swerving to the right or to the left and to turn our feet away from evil.
How does this verse relate to the broader biblical theme of spiritual warfare?
This verse is part of the larger biblical narrative of spiritual warfare, as described in Ephesians 6:10-18, where believers are encouraged to put on the whole armor of God to stand against the schemes of the devil, and to trust in God's power to overcome evil, as stated in 1 John 4:4.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I may be swerving to the right or to the left, and how can I realign myself with God's path?
- In what ways can I practically turn my feet away from evil, as instructed in this verse?
- How does the command to turn my feet away from evil relate to my thought life, and what are some strategies for taking every thought captive to obey Christ, as stated in 2 Corinthians 10:5?
- What role does trust in God's sovereignty play in my ability to stay on the path of righteousness, and how can I cultivate greater trust in my life?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 4:27
Turn not to the right hand nor to the left,.... Either into the road of immorality and profaneness, or into that of error, superstition, and false worship; but attend to the way of holiness and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 4:27
Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left - (Proverbs 4:25.) The image is from the king's highway (Numbers 20:17; Deuteronomy 2:27).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 4:27
Fly all extremes, and neither add to God’ s commands, nor take from them.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 4:27
Proverbs 4:27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.Ver. 27. Turn not to the right.] Keep the king’ s highway; keep within God’ s precincts, and ye keep under his protection. The heathen orator could say, A recta conscientia ne latum quidem unguem discedendum; A man may not depart a hair’ s breadth all his life long from the dictates of a good conscience. Remove thy foot from evil.] Bestir thee no otherwise than if thou hadst trod upon a snake. "Abhor that which is evil"; "abstain from all appearance," all shows and shadows of it. Run from the occasions of it; "come not near the doors of her house." Cic. in Offic.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 4:27
(27) Turn not aside . . .—Comp. the direction of Jos 1:7, and the praise accorded to David (1 Kings 15:5).
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 4:27
Verse 27. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left] Avoid all crooked ways. Be an upright, downright, and straight-forward man. Avoid tricks, wiles, and deceptions of this kind. To this the Septuagint and Vulgate add the following verse: Αυτοςδεορθαςποιησειταςτροχιαςσου, ταςδεπορειαςσουενειρηνηπροαξει. Ipse autem rectos faciet cursus tuos; itinera autem tua in pace producet. "For himself will make thy paths straight and thy journeyings will he conduct in prosperity." The Arabic has also a clause to the same effect. But nothing like this is found in the Hebrew, Chaldee, or Syriac; nor in the Vulgate, as printed in the Complutensian Polyglot; nor in that of Antwerp or of Paris; but it is in the Greek text of those editions, in the editio princeps of the Vulgate, in five of my own MSS., and in the old MS. Bible. De Lyra rejects the clause as a gloss that stands on no authority.
If an addition, it is certainly very ancient; and the promise it contains is true whether the clause be authentic or not.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 4:27
27. At the end of this verse the LXX. add: “For the ways on the right God knoweth, But the ways on the left are crooked. And He will make straight thy paths, And thy goings will He conduct in peace.”
Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 4:27
The ever-recurring image of the straight road on which no one ever loses his way represents here as elsewhere the onward course through life of the man who seeks and finds wisdom.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 4:27
27. Turn not… right hand nor to the left — Let nothing turn thee aside from the path of virtue, honesty, and fair dealing; of morality and religion.
Sermons on Proverbs 4:27
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
(Through the Bible) 1 Kings 9-16 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the preacher discusses various biblical stories and teachings. He emphasizes the importance of obeying God's commands and following His word. The sermon includes th |
|
Josiah - God Working in Revival Power by Erlo Stegen | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Gideon from the Bible. Gideon was chosen by God to lead the Israelites against their enemies. Despite being from a crooked and m |
|
Old Testament Survey - Part 22 by Dick Woodward | This sermon delves into the book of Deuteronomy, emphasizing the importance of obeying God's laws and remembering His miracles. It highlights the need to guard against affluence an |
|
Christian Fundamentalism - 1 by Anton Bosch | Anton Bosch discusses the varying definitions of Christian labels and emphasizes the importance of understanding Christian Fundamentalism according to Professor Malan's comprehensi |
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Fear of Trying by Mary Wilder Tileston | Mary Wilder Tileston emphasizes the importance of obeying God's commands without turning aside, as stated in Deuteronomy 5:32. She highlights that failing to fulfill our duties is |
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The Ultimate Test of Faith by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of the children of Israel in Exodus. He highlights how they witnessed a great miracle when God saved them and led them through the |
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Joshua's Obedience by C.H. Spurgeon | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of staying close to the word of God and one's conscience in order to prosper in life. The sermon highlights the folly of bein |