Proverbs 4:11 — Word Study
WLCבְּדֶ֣רֶךְ חָ֭כְמָה הֹרֵתִ֑יךָ הִ֝דְרַכְתִּ֗יךָ בְּמַעְגְּלֵי־ יֹֽשֶׁר׃
BSAI will guide youyârâh■ [teach, show] in the wayderek [path, manner of life] of wisdomchokmâh [skill, prudence, good judgment] I will lead youdârak■ [direct, cause to tread] on straightyôsher [right, upright] pathsmaʻgâl [tracks, circular ramparts]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| בְּדֶ֣רֶךְ | [the] way of | Preposition, noun common both singular construct |
| חָ֭כְמָה | wisdom | Noun common, feminine singular absolute |
| הֹרֵתִ֑יךָ | I taught you | Verb hiphil perfect first person common singular, suffix |
| הִ֝דְרַכְתִּ֗יךָ | I led you | Verb hiphil perfect first person common singular, suffix |
| בְּמַעְגְּלֵי־ | in tracks of | Preposition, noun common masculine plural construct |
| יֹֽשֶׁר׃ | uprightness | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | I will guide you in the way of wisdom; I will lead you on straight paths. |
| KJV | I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. |
| ASV | I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in paths of uprightness. |
| YLT | In a way of wisdom I have directed thee, I have caused thee to tread in paths of uprightness. |
| WEB | I have taught you in the way of wisdom. I have led you in straight paths. |
| BBE | I have given you teaching in the way of wisdom, guiding your steps in the straight way. |
The translations agree on the meanings of wisdom and straight paths, focusing on guidance and moral integrity.
The sentence contains two main clauses, each expressing a promise of guidance and leadership, emphasizing the importance of wisdom and uprightness.
5 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Proverbs 4:11
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Path of Wisdomgenerated
Proverbs 4:11 is part of a father’s instruction to his son, emphasizing the importance of wisdom in guiding one's life. This passage encourages the listener to embrace wisdom as a path that leads to a fulfilling and upright life, contrasting the narrow beginnings of wise actions with their broader implications over time.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 4:4 | he taught me and said, “Let your heart lay hold of my words; keep my commands and you will live. |
| 2 | Deuteronomy 4:5 | See, I have taught you statutes and ordinances just as the LORD my God has commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land that you are about to enter and possess. |
| 3 | 1 Samuel 12:24 | Above all, fear the LORD and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you. |
| 4 | Ecclesiastes 12:9 | Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also taught the people knowledge; he pondered, searched out, and arranged many proverbs. |
| 5 | Proverbs 8:6–9 | Listen, for I speak of noble things, and the opening of my lips will reveal right. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 8 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — חָכְמָה, chokh.mahgenerated
The Hebrew word חָכְמָה (chokmah) signifies wisdom and encompasses various forms of skill and good judgment. It includes practical skills in areas such as war and administration, and it reflects ethical prudence. The term is built from the root word for wisdom, חָכַם (chakam), indicating a depth of understanding that is both practical and moral.
In this verse, wisdom is presented as a guiding principle for life, suggesting that true wisdom shapes not only decisions but also the character of the individual. The speaker promises to teach and lead the listener along this path, highlighting the importance of wisdom in navigating life's challenges.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, which uses wisdom for חָכְמָה and straight paths for יֹשֶׁר.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb is הֹרֵתִ֑יךָ, I taught you, which governs the subsequent actions of leading and guiding. The structure emphasizes the speaker's role in directing the listener's life.
The sentence is constructed with two main actions: teaching and leading, each followed by a description of the paths — one of wisdom and the other of uprightness. This parallel structure reinforces the connection between wisdom and moral integrity.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates חָכְמָה as σοφίας (sophias), which carries a similar meaning of wisdom. This choice aligns closely with the Hebrew, emphasizing the concept of skill and good judgment.
The term ὁδοὺς (hodous), used for paths, suggests a focus on the journey one takes, reinforcing the idea that wisdom is not just a destination but a continuous path of moral and ethical living.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 4:11 shows a father teaching his son about the importance of wisdom. The father promises to guide him on the right path, suggesting that following wisdom leads to a good and upright life.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Walking in the way of wisdom means making choices that reflect good judgment and moral integrity, leading to a fulfilling life.
You can apply these teachings by seeking wisdom in your decisions, learning from others, and striving to live with integrity.
Straight paths symbolize a clear and direct route in life, free from moral ambiguity and obstacles, guided by wisdom.
Wisdom is compared to a path to illustrate that it is a journey requiring direction and choices that shape one's life.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life do I need more wisdom and guidance?
- How can I actively seek wisdom in my daily decisions?
- What does it mean to me to walk on straight paths?
- How can I help others find wisdom in their lives?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early commentators, such as Bede, reference this verse to discuss the moral implications of wisdom and the paths it leads to, illustrating the transformative power of wise actions.
I will lead you in the paths of equity, etc. Paths, that is, actions of equity, while they begin, seem narrow and strait; but when they take progress, already by habit they seem spacious and broad, as the Psalmist testifies,Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 4 →
Commentators on this verse — 5 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 4:11 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleI have taught thee in the way of wisdom,.... In the way that leads to it, or is concerning it; in the Gospel, which is the wisdom of God in a mystery, the manifold wisdom of God, and which directs to
Read John Gill on Proverbs 4 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryI have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 4 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleIn the way of wisdom; either 1. Which procureth wisdom. Or, 2. Which wisdom directeth thee to walk in.
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 4 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 4:11 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.Ver. 11. I have led thee in right paths.] Impli ambulant in circuitu, The wicked walk the round. So doth the devil, that great peripatetic. "How long wilt thou go about, O thou backsliding daughter?" "How long wilt thou run retrograde, or turn aside unto crooked ways?" "The ways of the Lord are right, and the righteous shall walk in them; but the transgressors shall fall therein."
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 4 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and CollegesEighth Address. Chap. Proverbs 4:10-1911. right paths] Rather, paths of uprightness, R.V., as at once being a more exact rendering and preserving better the parallelism.
Read Cambridge on Proverbs 4 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
I will guide you in the way of wisdom; I will lead you on straight paths.
I have taught you in the way of wisdom. I have led you in straight paths.
I will guide you in the way of wisdom; I will lead you on straight paths.
I will guide you in the way of wisdom and I will lead you in upright paths.
Tyndale line
I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.
I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in paths of uprightness.
I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in paths of uprightness.
I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.
I haue taught thee in ye way of wisedom, and led thee in the pathes of righteousnesse.
Strictly literal
I will teach thee in the way of wisdom, I will lead thee in paths of uprightness.
In a way of wisdom I have directed thee, I have caused thee to tread in paths of uprightness.
I have directed you in a way of wisdom, || I have caused you to tread in paths of uprightness.
In the way of wisdom have I instructed thee: I have led thee in the tracks of uprightness.
I direct you in the way of wisdom; I lead you down straight paths.
From the Latin
I will shew thee the way of wisdom, I will lead thee by the paths of equity:
Simplified
I have explained to you the way of wisdom; I have guided you along the right paths.
I have given you teaching in the way of wisdom, guiding your steps in the straight way.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree on the wording of this verse, with all six words matched between the two texts. This consistency indicates a strong preservation of the original meaning across these traditions.
בְּדֶ֣רֶךְ חָ֭כְמָה הֹרֵתִ֑יךָ הִ֝דְרַכְתִּ֗יךָ בְּמַעְגְּלֵי־ יֹֽשֶׁר׃
6 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Proverbs 4:11
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (derek) means way, road, or journey, and can refer to both literal paths and figurative courses of life or actions. It encompasses various aspects such as direction, manner, and moral character, often highlighting the nature of one's conduct. The term is used in both positive and negative contexts, reflecting the moral implications of one's path.
דֶּ֫רֶךְ 715 n.m. way, road, distance, journey, manner
way, road, path
journey
of direction, almost or quite = toward
way, manner
fig. of course of life, or action, undertakings
of moral action and character
of duty
specif.: in good sense
oftener in bad sense
way of י׳
base
H1870 דֶּ֫רֶךְ way, road, distance, journey, manner . way, road, path
. journey
. of direction, almost or quite = toward
. way, manner
. fig. of course of life, or action, undertakings
. . of moral action and character
. of duty
. specif.: in good sense
. oftener in bad sense
. way of י׳
1870 derek deh'-rek
from 1869; a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of
life or mode of action, often adverb:--along, away, because
of, + by, conversation, custom, (east-)ward, journey, manner,
passenger, through, toward, (high-) (path-)way(-side),
whither(-soever).
see HEBREW for 01869
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: conduct.
: conduct/lifestyle
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.)
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — Way.
This name means way, road
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — (King's) Highway.
This name means way, road
Combined with me.lekh (מֶ֫לֶךְ "King's" H4428I)
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: direction.
: direction
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.)
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: road.
: 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.)
דֶּ֫רֶךְ (de.rekh) — way: journey.
: journey
Prep | N-cs — Preposition · noun common both singular constructHR/Ncbsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
חָכְמָה (chokmah) means wisdom and encompasses various forms of skill, including in war and administration, as well as shrewdness and ethical prudence. It is built from the root word for wisdom, חָכַם (chakam). The term appears in contexts related to both practical and religious matters.
חָכְמָה n.f. wisdom
skill in war
wisdom, in administration
shrewdness, wisdom
wisdom, prudence in religious affairs
wisdom, ethical and religious
base
H2451 חָכְמָה wisdom . skill in war
. wisdom, in administration
. shrewdness, wisdom
. wisdom, prudence in religious affairs
. wisdom, ethical and religious
2451 chokmah khok-maw'
from 2449; wisdom (in a good sense):--skilful, wisdom,
wisely, wit.
see HEBREW for 02449
חׇכְמָה (chokh.mah) — wisdom.
1) wisdom
1a) skill (in war)
1b) wisdom (in administration)
1c) shrewdness, wisdom
1d) wisdom, prudence (in religious affairs)
1e) wisdom (ethical and religious)
N-fs — Noun common · feminine singular absoluteHNcfsa
wiz'-dum:
1. Linguistic
2. History
3. Religious Basis
4. Ideals
5. Teaching of Christ
6. Remainder of the New Testament
(1) James
(2) Paul
7. Hypostasis
LITERATURE
1. Linguistic:
In the Revised Version (British and American) the noun "wisdom" and its corresponding adjective and verb ("be wise," "act wisely," etc.) represent a variety of Hebrew words: bin (binah, and in the English Revised Version tebunah), sakhal (sekhel, sekhel), lebh (and in the English Revised Version labhabh), tushiyah (and in the English Revised Version Te`em, `ormah, piqqach. None of these, however, is of very frequent occurrence and by far the most common group is the verb chakham, with the adjective chakham, and the nouns chokhmah, chokhmoth, with something over 300 occurrences in the Old Testament (of which rather more than half are in Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes). Cokhmah, accordingly, may be treated as the Hebrew…
The Hebrew word יָרָא (*yarah*) encompasses meanings related to shooting, pouring, and throwing. It can refer to actions like shooting arrows or casting water, as well as figurative uses such as teaching or directing. The entries indicate that it has both a literal and a figurative range, with roots in the idea of flowing or pointing out.
[יָרָא] vb. shoot, pour
Qal shoot with arrows
Hiph. and they shot at; Pt. pl. the shooters, archers
Hoph. he that watereth shall himself also be watered
base
יָרָה vb. throw, shoot
Qal
throw, cast
cast (= lay, set), corner-stone; pillar
shoot arrows
throw water, rain
Niph. shot through (with arrows)
Hiph.
throw, cast
shoot (arrows)
throw water, rain
point out, shew
direct, teach, instruct
base
H3384a יָרָא shoot, pour H3384b יָרָה throw, shoot .. throw, cast
. cast (= lay, set), corner-stone; pillar
. shoot arrows
. throw water, rain
. shot through (with arrows)
. . throw, cast
. shoot (arrows)
. throw water, rain
. point out, shew
. direct, teach, instruct
3384 yarah yaw-raw'
or (2 Chr. 26:15) yara; {yaw-raw'}; a primitive root;
properly, to flow as water (i.e. to rain); transitively, to
lay or throw (especially an arrow, i.e. to shoot);
figuratively, to point out (as if by aiming the finger), to
teach:--(+) archer, cast, direct, inform, instruct, lay, shew,
shoot, teach(-er,-ing), through.
יָרָא (ya.ra) — to shoot.
1) to shoot, pour
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to shoot arrows
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to shoot at
1b2) part. shooter, archer
1c) to throw water, rain
יָרָה (ya.rah) — to show.
1) to point out, show
1b) to direct, teach, instruct
V-Hiphil-Perf-1cs | Suff — Verb hiphil perfect first person common singular · suffixHVhp1cs/Sp2ms
דָּרַךְ (darakh) is a Hebrew verb meaning to tread or march. It encompasses a range of actions including walking, leading, and bending a bow. The word appears in various forms, such as Qal and Hiphil, indicating both simple and causative actions. Notably, it can refer to treading down or guiding others.
דָּרַךְ vb. tread, march
Qal
tread, march, march forth
tread upon
tread wine- (or oil-) press
tread (i.e. bend) the bow
Hiph.
tread, tread down
tread (bend) the bow
causat. cause to tread or march, lead
base
H1869 דָּרַךְ tread, march
1869 darak daw-rak'
a primitive root; to tread; by implication, to walk; also to
string a bow (by treading on it in bending):--archer, bend,
come, draw, go (over), guide, lead (forth), thresh, tread
(down), walk.
דָּרַךְ (da.rakh) — to tread.
1) to tread, bend, lead, march
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to tread, march, march forth
1a2) to tread on, tread upon
1a3) to tread (a press)
1a4) to tread (bend) a bow
1a5) archer, bow-benders (participle)
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to tread, tread down
1b2) to tread (bend with the foot) a bow
1b3) to cause to go, lead, march, tread
V-Hiphil-Perf-1cs | Suff — Verb hiphil perfect first person common singular · suffixHVhp1cs/Sp2ms
מַעְגָּל (ma`gal) refers to a track or entrenchment, with meanings that include a literal path or figurative way. It can also denote a circular rampart or trench. The entries consistently emphasize its use in contexts related to movement or fortification.
מַעְגָּל n.m. 1. entrenchment. 2. track
base
H4570 מַעְגָּל 1. entrenchment. 2. track
4570 ma`gal mah-gawl'
or feminine mapgalah {mah-gaw-law'}; from the same as 5696; a
track (literally or figuratively); also a rampart (as
circular):--going, path, trench, way((-side)).
see HEBREW for 05696
מַעְגָּל (ma.gal) — track.
1) entrenchment, track
1a) circumvallation, entrenchment
1b) track
Prep | N-mp — Preposition · noun common masculine plural constructHR/Ncmpc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
The Hebrew word יֹ֫שֶׁר (*yosher*) refers to concepts of straightness and uprightness, encompassing moral implications of rightness and what is due. It is derived from a root meaning to be straight. The entries consistently highlight its application to both physical paths and ethical conduct.
יֹ֫שֶׁר n.m. straightness, uprightness
straightness, evenness, of paths
rightness, uprightness
what is due, right
base
H3476 יֹ֫שֶׁר straightness, uprightness . straightness, evenness, of paths
. rightness, uprightness
. what is due, right
3476 yosher yo'-sher
from 3474; the right:--equity, meet, right, upright(-ness).
see HEBREW for 03474
יֹ֫שֶׁר (yo.sher) — uprightness.
1) straightness, uprightness
1a) straightness, evenness (moral implications)
1b) rightness, uprightness
1c) what is right, what is due
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
→ See RIGHTEOUSNESS