Proverbs 5:21
Proverbs 5:21 in Multiple Translations
For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the LORD, and the LORD examines all his paths.
For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.
For the ways of man are before the eyes of Jehovah; And he maketh level all his paths.
For a man's ways are before the eyes of the Lord, and he puts all his goings in the scales.
For the Lord sees everything people do, the Lord investigates everywhere they go.
For the waies of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his pathes.
For over-against the eyes of Jehovah are the ways of each, And all his paths He is pondering.
For the ways of man are before the LORD’s eyes. He examines all his paths.
For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.
The Lord beholdeth the ways of man, and considereth all his steps.
I say that because Yahweh sees clearly everything that we do; he knows where we are going on the roads that we walk on.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 5:21
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 5:21 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
כִּ֤י
נֹ֨כַח
עֵינֵ֣י
יְ֭הוָה
דַּרְכֵי
אִ֑ישׁ
וְֽ/כָל
מַעְגְּלֹתָ֥י/ו
מְפַלֵּֽס
כִּ֤י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
נֹ֨כַח
nôkach
H5227
before
Prep
עֵינֵ֣י
ʻayin
H5869
eye
N-cd
יְ֭הוָה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
דַּרְכֵי
derek
H1870
way
N-cp
אִ֑ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
man
N-ms
וְֽ/כָל
kôl
H3605
all
Conj | N-ms
מַעְגְּלֹתָ֥י/ו
maʻgâl
H4570
track
N-mp | Suff
מְפַלֵּֽס
pâlaç
H6424
to envy
V-Piel
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 5:21
כִּ֤י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
נֹ֨כַח
nôkach
H5227
"before"
Prep
Refers to something being in front of or before something else, often describing location or direction. Used in Deuteronomy to describe the Israelites' position relative to the Promised Land. It can also mean on behalf of someone.
Definition: subst 1) be in front of adv 2) in front of, opposite to, in the sight of, before, to the front, right on prep 3) towards the front of, in front of, on behalf of, as far as in front of Also means: ne.khach (נֵכַח "before" H5226)
Usage: Occurs in 22 OT verses. KJV: (over) against, before, direct(-ly), for, right (on). See also: Genesis 25:21; 1 Kings 22:35; Proverbs 4:25.
עֵינֵ֣י
ʻayin
H5869
"eye"
N-cd
This word can mean a spring or fountain, but also refers to the eye or a source of something. It is often translated as affliction, outward appearance, or countenance, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : eye 1) eye 1a) eye 1a1) of physical eye 1a2) as showing mental qualities 1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 828 OT verses. KJV: affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves). See also: Genesis 3:5; Exodus 34:9; Deuteronomy 28:67.
יְ֭הוָה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
דַּרְכֵי
derek
H1870
"way"
N-cp
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.
אִ֑ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
"man"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.
וְֽ/כָל
kôl
H3605
"all"
Conj | N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
מַעְגְּלֹתָ֥י/ו
maʻgâl
H4570
"track"
N-mp | Suff
This word refers to a path or track, either physical or figurative. It can also describe a circular rampart or entrenchment. In the Bible, it is translated as path, trench, or way.
Definition: 1) entrenchment, track 1a) circumvallation, entrenchment 1b) track
Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: going, path, trench, way(-side). See also: 1 Samuel 17:20; Proverbs 2:15; Psalms 17:5.
מְפַלֵּֽס
pâlaç
H6424
"to envy"
V-Piel
This verb means to weigh or balance things, like preparing a road or thinking deeply. In the Bible, it can also mean to envy or ponder something. It appears in various forms, like 'make' or 'weigh'.
Definition: 1) (Piel) to weigh, make level, balance 1a) to weigh out 1b) to make level or smooth
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: make, ponder, weigh. See also: Psalms 58:3; Proverbs 5:6; Psalms 78:50.
Study Notes — Proverbs 5:21
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 5:21 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 5:21
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 5:21
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 5:21
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 5:21
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 5:21
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 5:21
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 5:21
- Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 5:21
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 5:21
- Sermons on Proverbs 5:21
Context — Avoiding Immorality
19A loving doe, a graceful fawn— may her breasts satisfy you always; may you be captivated by her love forever.
20Why be captivated, my son, by an adulteress, or embrace the bosom of a stranger?
21For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the LORD, and the LORD examines all his paths.
22The iniquities of a wicked man entrap him; the cords of his sin entangle him. 23He dies for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hebrews 4:13 | Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. |
| 2 | Proverbs 15:3 | The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good. |
| 3 | Job 34:21 | For His eyes are on the ways of a man, and He sees his every step. |
| 4 | Jeremiah 32:19 | the One great in counsel and mighty in deed, whose eyes are on all the ways of the sons of men, to reward each one according to his ways and according to the fruit of his deeds. |
| 5 | Jeremiah 16:17 | For My eyes are on all their ways. They are not hidden from My face, and their guilt is not concealed from My eyes. |
| 6 | Hosea 7:2 | But they fail to consider in their hearts that I remember all their evil. Now their deeds are all around them; they are before My face. |
| 7 | Jeremiah 23:24 | “Can a man hide in secret places where I cannot see him?” declares the LORD. “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?” declares the LORD. |
| 8 | Psalms 11:4 | The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD is on His heavenly throne. His eyes are watching closely; they examine the sons of men. |
| 9 | Job 31:4 | Does He not see my ways and count my every step? |
| 10 | Psalms 119:168 | I obey Your precepts and Your testimonies, for all my ways are before You. |
Proverbs 5:21 Summary
This verse reminds us that God is always watching and aware of everything we do. He examines all our paths and considers the consequences of our actions. This means that we are responsible for our actions, and we will be held accountable for them. As we seek to follow God's will, we can trust that He will guide and direct us, as promised in Psalm 32:8, and that He will help us to live in a way that is pleasing to Him, as stated in Colossians 1:10.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that a man's ways are before the eyes of the LORD?
It means that God is always watching and aware of everything we do, as stated in Proverbs 5:21, and this is reinforced by Jeremiah 32:19, which says that God's eyes are open to all the ways of the sons of men.
How does the LORD examine all our paths?
The LORD examines our paths by testing our hearts and motives, as seen in Proverbs 17:3, which says that the LORD tests the heart, and by considering the consequences of our actions, as mentioned in Galatians 6:7-8.
Does this verse imply that we are responsible for our actions?
Yes, this verse implies that we are responsible for our actions, and we will be held accountable for them, as stated in Romans 14:12, which says that each of us will give an account of himself to God.
How can we ensure that our ways are pleasing to the LORD?
We can ensure that our ways are pleasing to the LORD by seeking to obey His commandments and follow His will, as stated in John 14:15, which says that if we love Jesus, we will keep His commandments.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I may be trying to hide my actions from God?
- How can I cultivate a sense of awareness that God is always watching and examining my paths?
- In what ways can I seek to align my ways with God's will and purposes, as stated in Proverbs 3:5-6?
- What are some potential consequences of ignoring God's examination of my paths, as warned in Proverbs 5:22-23?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 5:21
For the ways of a man [are] before the eyes of the Lord,.... Both good and bad; the ways of a chaste and virtuous man, who cleaves to his own wife and shuns the harlot, which are approved of by the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 5:21
For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 5:21
Before the eyes of the Lord; God sees all thy filthy actions, though done with all possible cunning and secrecy. He taketh an exact account of all their doings, that he may recompense them according to the kinds, degrees, numbers, and aggravations of all their unchaste actions.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 5:21
Proverbs 5:21 For the ways of man [are] before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.Ver. 21. For the ways of man, &c.] Turpe quid acturus te sine teste time. A man that is about any evil should stand in awe of himself; how much more of God, since he is πανοφθαλμος, all eye, and beholdeth the most secret of thine actions. The proverb is, Si non caste, saltem caute, Carry the matter, if not honestly, yet so closely and cleanly that the world may be never the wiser. How cunningly did David art it to hide his sip! But it would not be. "There is nothing covered that shall not be revealed." "If I make my bed in hell," said he, - as indeed the places where fornicators use to lodge are little better, - "behold thou art there." This God allegeth as a forcible reason against this sin. "I have seeu the lewdness of thy whoredoms"; and, "Even I know, and am a witness, saith the Lord." Auson
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 5:21
(21) For the ways of man . . .—Another reason for avoiding sin is the certainty of detection by the Judge, whose “eyes run to and fro through the whole earth” (2 Chronicles 16:9), comp. Psalms 11:4.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Proverbs 5:21
Verse 21. For the ways of a man] Whether they are public or private, God sees all the steps thou takest in life.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 5:21
21. For; as an additional reason for avoiding sin. pondereth] The primary sense of the Heb. word, which is the same as in Proverbs 5:6 of this chapter, is adhered to in R.V. text: he maketh level, i.e. however intricate and tortuous man makes them, before God’s all-seeing eye they lie spread out like a map (Hebrews 4:13). εἰςδὲπάσαςτὰςτροχιὰςαὐτοῦσκοπεύει, LXX. It may mean, however, that God makes man’s ways level, in the sense of making them lead swiftly and surely to their appointed end (Proverbs 5:22-23). Others take it in contrast with the next verse: God makes a man’s ways level (right), but sin involves him in difficulties from which he cannot extricate himself. The derived sense pondereth (or, weigheth carefully, R.V. marg.) comes from holding the balances in weighing till the two scales are even, and so making level. Comp. Job 31:4.
Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 5:21
One more warning. The sin is not against man, nor dependent on man’s detection only. The secret sin is open before the eyes of Yahweh. In the balance of His righteous judgment are weighed all human acts.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 5:21
21. The ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord — Who marks all his movements; and he who has ordained marriage for the comfort and benefit of mankind and the preservation of society will not let
Sermons on Proverbs 5:21
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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America Is Finished, unless... by Pierre Bynum | Pierre Bynum preaches about the impending judgment on America due to its sins and departure from God, emphasizing the need for national repentance and a God-sent Awakening to avert |
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The Eyes of the Lord by Thomas Brooks | Thomas Brooks emphasizes the omnipresence and omniscience of God, illustrating that nothing escapes His sight. He describes God as attentive to every aspect of our lives, from our |
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Two Infamous Strumpets by Thomas Brooks | Thomas Brooks emphasizes the omnipresence and omniscience of God, asserting that no sin, whether secret or open, can escape His watchful eye. He illustrates that even the most hidd |
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Letter 196. by James Bourne | James Bourne shares about his spiritual journey, expressing gratitude for the guidance of the Lord in his recent experiences. Through prayer and reflection on God's word, he found |
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2 Corinthians Teaching - God Who Raises the Dead by K.P. Yohannan | K.P. Yohannan discusses the profound motivations behind Christian ministry as illustrated in 2 Corinthians, emphasizing the duality of the fear of the Lord and the love of Christ. |
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Attributes of God (Series 2): The Omniscience of God by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher uses the analogy of a cracked piece of glass being transformed into a beautiful piece of art to illustrate how God can turn our brokenness into somethi |
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(1 John #26) the Love That Casts Out Fear by J. Glyn Owen | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on 1 John chapter 4 verses 17 and 18. He emphasizes that our love is made perfect through our relationship with God. He explains that because G |