Proverbs 4:26 — Word Study
WLCפַּ֭לֵּס מַעְגַּ֣ל רַגְלֶ֑ךָ וְֽכָל־ דְּרָכֶ֥יךָ יִכֹּֽנוּ׃
BSAMake a levelpâlaç [straight, smooth] pathmaʻgâl for your feetregel [steps, journey] and allkôl [every aspect of] your waysderek [roads, manner of life] will be surekûwn▸ [established, firmly set, confirmed, secure, stable]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| פַּ֭לֵּס | make level | Verb, Piel, imperative second person masculine singular |
| מַעְגַּ֣ל | [the] track of | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| רַגְלֶ֑ךָ | foot your | Noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| וְֽכָל־ | and all | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular construct |
| דְּרָכֶ֥יךָ | ways your | Noun common masculine plural construct, suffix |
| יִכֹּֽנוּ׃ | let them be steadfast | Verb, Niphal, imperfect third person masculine plural |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Make a level path for your feet, and all your ways will be sure. |
| KJV | Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. |
| ASV | Make level the path of thy feet, And let all thy ways be established. |
| YLT | Ponder thou the path of thy feet, And all thy ways [are] established. |
| WEB | Make the path of your feet level. Let all of your ways be established. |
| BBE | Keep a watch on your behaviour; let all your ways be rightly ordered. |
The translations agree on the essential meaning of the verse, emphasizing the importance of making a level path.
The sentence has a main clause followed by a conjunction and a noun phrase, creating a straightforward directive with a promise.







8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbפָּלַס
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 4:26
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 — Practical Wisdom for Daily Livinggenerated
Proverbs 4:26 is part of a larger section where the teacher offers guidance on avoiding deception and focusing on a righteous path. The verses preceding and following this one emphasize the importance of integrity in speech and vision, culminating in the call to create a level path for one's actions. This teaching aligns with the broader themes of wisdom literature, which often stresses the significance of moral and ethical living.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 5:6 | She does not consider the path of life; she does not know that her ways are unstable. |
| 2 | Psalm 119:59 | I considered my ways and turned my steps to Your testimonies. |
| 3 | Ezekiel 18:28 | Because he considered and turned from all the transgressions he had committed, he will surely live; he will not die. |
| 4 | Haggai 1:5–7 | Now this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Consider carefully your ways. |
| 5 | Ephesians 5:15–17 | Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 10 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — פַּ֭לֵּס, Pa.lesgenerated
The verb פָּלַס (Pa.les) means to make level or smooth, suggesting the act of preparing a path for safe travel. It conveys the idea of weighing options or balancing decisions, emphasizing careful consideration in one's journey.
In the Piel form, it indicates a deliberate action, such as smoothing a road or thoughtfully weighing one's choices. This reflects the importance of intentionality in one's life decisions, ensuring that the path taken is both clear and secure.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
All translations agree on the rendering of פַּ֭לֵּס as make level, emphasizing the need for a straight path.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb פַּ֭לֵּס governs the whole verse, with a noun phrase following it that describes the object — the path for one's feet. The structure emphasizes the action of making a level path as foundational to the assurance of one's ways.
The sentence is straightforward, with a clear cause-and-effect relationship: making a level path leads to sure ways. This clarity reflects the practical nature of wisdom literature.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates פַּ֭לֵּס with ὀρθὰς (orthas), meaning 'straight'. This choice emphasizes the importance of a straight path in the context of moral and ethical living.
The use of ὀρθὰς suggests a focus on uprightness and integrity, aligning with the overall message of the verse about ensuring a secure journey.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 4:26 tells us to make a level path for our feet, which means to prepare our way carefully. If we do this, all our ways will be secure. This verse teaches us the importance of planning and living wisely.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Making a level path means preparing a clear and safe way for one's actions and decisions, ensuring stability in life.
Having sure ways means that one's actions are reliable and lead to positive outcomes, reflecting a life lived with wisdom.
You can apply this verse by being intentional in your decisions, seeking to align your actions with your values, and ensuring that your path is clear.
This verse teaches that wisdom involves careful planning and consideration of one's actions to ensure a secure and stable life.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what areas of my life do I need to make a level path?
- How can I ensure that my decisions lead to stability and security?
- What practices can I adopt to align my actions with my values?
- How does this verse encourage me to think about my journey in life?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Church Fathers referenced this verse to emphasize the importance of living a straight path in faith and actions, as seen in their writings.
“Invite the poor,” he says, those who are poor in words, so that you can make them rich. Invite “the crippled,” those whose minds are injured, so that you can heal them.Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 4 →
We remember holy Scripture crying out, “Make straight the path for your feet, and direct your ways.” They who honor the straight paths “run toward the goal to the prize of the heavenly calling in Christ.” But those who pay no heed to the…Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 4 →
Make straight paths for your feet. Namely, that you do not err in actions or faith. And all your ways will be established. May you not be swayed from your good purpose by fickleness of mind.Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 4 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 4:26 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BiblePonder the path of thy feet,.... Consider well what path it is, whether right or wrong; or weigh it in the balances of thought, as Aben Ezra; or rather in the balances of the word, and see whether it agrees with that or not.
Read John Gill on Proverbs 4 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryPonder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. The object of the tempter is to prevent your doing so (Proverbs 5:6).
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 4 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BiblePonder the path of thy feet; consider thine actions before thou doest them, and see that they agree with the rule. Let all thy ways be established; let thine actions be uniformly and constantly good in spite of all temptations to the contrary. Or, let thy ways be directed or disposed aright, as this Hebrew word signifies. Or, thy ways shall be established. So this is a promise to confirm the foregoing precept. If thou dost ponder them, thou mayst expect God’ s blessing and good success in them.
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 4 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 4:26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.Ver. 26. Ponder the path of thy feet.] Viz., By the weights of the word. Look to thine affections, for by these maids Satan woes the mistress. Take heed where you set gunpowder, since fire is in your hearts. Augustine thanks God that his heart and the temptation did not meet together. Walk accurately, tread right, ακριβωςορθοποδειν; step warily; lift not up one foot till you find firm footing for another, as those in Psalms 35:6. The way of this world is like the vale of Siddim, slimy and slippery: Cavete. Beware, We have an Eve, a tempter (each one) within us, our own flesh, saith Bernard. And Nemo sibi de suo…
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 4 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(26) Ponder the path of thy feet.—Rather, make it smooth, level: take all obstacles out of it which may prevent thy going in the way God is leading thee. Comp. the directions to cut off even the hand or the foot that offends (Matthew 18:8). This verse is quoted in Hebrews 12:13. Let all thy ways be established.—Or, directed aright; see that they lead straight to the end (Psalms 119:5).
Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 4 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 26. Ponder the path of thy feet] Weigh well the part thou shouldst act in life. See that thou contract no bad habits.
Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 4 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges26. ponder] So R.V. marg., weigh carefully; but R.V. text has make level, &c., with which agrees LXX. ὀρθὰςτροχιὰςποίεισοῖςποσίν: “make straight paths for thy feet.” So Hebrews 12:13. See Proverbs 5:21. established] Or, ordered aright, R.V. marg.
Read Cambridge on Proverbs 4 →
Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible26. Ponder — The word means, first, to make level; secondly, to weigh; and then, metaphorically, to consider, deliberate. Some render, Make smooth or straight the path, etc.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon 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
Make a level path for your feet, and all your ways will be sure.
Make the path of your feet level. Let all of your ways be established.
Make a level path for your feet, and all your ways will be sure.
Make the path for your feet level, so that all your ways may be established.
Tyndale line
Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.
Make level the path of thy feet, And let all thy ways be established.
Make level the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.
Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.
Ponder the path of thy feete, and let all thy waies be ordred aright.
Strictly literal
Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be well-ordered.
Ponder thou the path of thy feet, And all thy ways [are] established.
Ponder the path of your feet, || And all your ways [are] established.
Balance well the track of thy foot, and let all thy ways be firmly right.
Make a level path for your foot; then all your ways will be secure.
From the Latin
Make straight the path for thy feet, and all thy ways shall be established.
Simplified
Pay attention to the path you decide to follow, and you'll be safe wherever you go.
Keep a watch on your behaviour; let all your ways be rightly ordered.
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 closely, with all six words matched. This indicates a strong consistency in the transmission of the text across these two traditions.
פַּ֭לֵּס מַעְגַּ֣ל רַגְלֶ֑ךָ וְֽכָל־ דְּרָכֶ֥יךָ יִכֹּֽנוּ׃
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 4:26
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.
פָּלַס (palas) is a verb that primarily means to weigh or make level. It can also imply preparing a road by rolling it flat or mentally weighing options. The entries highlight its use in the Piel form, emphasizing actions like weighing out or smoothing surfaces.
[פָּלַס] vb. Pi. denom. weigh, make level
base
H6424 פָּלַס vb. Pi. denom. weigh, make level
6424 palac paw-las'
a primitive root; properly, to roll flat, i.e. prepare (a
road); also to revolve, i.e. weigh (mentally):--make, ponder,
weigh.
פָּלַס (pa.las) — to envy.
1) (Piel) to weigh, make level, balance
1a) to weigh out
1b) to make level or smooth
V-Piel-Impv-2ms — Verb · Piel · imperative second person masculine singularHVpv2ms
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
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
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…
רֶ֫גֶל (regel) means 'foot' and can refer to a foot or leg in various contexts, including anthropomorphic references to God and other beings. It also implies steps or paces. The word is derived from a root meaning related to walking, and it appears in multiple forms, such as feet and paces.
רֶ֫גֶל 247 n.f. foot
foot
three times (feet, paces)
base
H7272 רֶ֫גֶל foot . foot
. three times (feet, paces)
7272 regel reh'-gel
from 7270; a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a
step; by euphem. the pudenda:--X be able to endure, X
according as, X after, X coming, X follow,
((broken-))foot((-ed, -stool)), X great toe, X haunt, X
journey, leg, + piss, + possession, time.
see HEBREW for 07270
רֶ֫גֶל (re.gel) — foot.
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)
N-fs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHNcfsc/Sp2ms
כֹּל (kol) means 'all' or 'the whole.' It can refer to totality, including every person or thing, and is often used with a following genitive to specify what is included. The term can also denote a broader sense of everything in existence or all circumstances of life. The lexicons do not show significant disagreement on its meanings.
כֹּל once כּוֹל n.m. the whole, all
with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every
Absolutely:
without the art., all things, all
with the art. הַכֹּל
where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned
in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)
base
H3605 כֹּל once כּוֹל the whole, all . with foll. gen. (as usually) the whole of, to be rendered, however, often in our idiom, to avoid stiffness, any or every
. Absolutely: . without the art., all things, all
. with the art. הַכֹּל . where the sense is limited by the context to things (or persons) just mentioned
. in a wider sense, all, whether of all mankind or of all living things, the universe, or of all the circumstances of life (chiefly late)
3605 kol kole
or (Jer. 33:8) kowl {kole}; from 3634; properly, the whole;
hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a
plural sense):--(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 HEBREW for 03634
כֹּל (kol) — all.
1) all, the whole
1a) all, the whole of
1b) any, each, every, anything
1c) totality, everything
Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Conj | N-ms — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular constructHC/Ncmsc
ol: Used in various combinations, and with different meanings.
(1) All along, "Weeping all along as he went" (Jer 41:6), i.e. throughout the whole way he went, feigning equal concern with the men from Shiloh, etc., for the destruction of the Temple, so as to put them off their guard.
(2) All in all, "That God may be all in all" (1Co 15:28, Greek: panta en pasin, "all things in all (persons and) things"). "The universe, with all it comprises, will wholly answer to God's will and reflect His mind" (Dummelow).
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
N-cp | Suff — Noun common masculine plural construct · suffixHNcmpc/Sp2ms
כּוּן (kuwn) is a Hebrew verb meaning to establish or prepare. It encompasses a range of meanings, including to be firm, to fix, to direct, and to be ready, with applications in both literal and figurative contexts. The entries indicate various forms of the verb, such as Niph'al (to be established) and Hiph'il (to establish), but there is a note on a noun form, נָכוֹן (nakhon), meaning 'blow'.
[כּוּן] 218 vb. prob. be firm, only in der. conj.
Niph.
be set up, established, fixed
in a moral sense, be directed aright, of ways
prepare, be ready
pass. be prepared, of judgments
Hiph.
establish, set up
fix, so as to be ready, make ready, prepare, a gift
provide for, provide, furnish
direct one's face toward
arrange, order
Hoph.
be established, of throne
be prepared for
Po‛lēl.
set up, establish
constitute, make, a man (in womb)
fix, so as to be ready
direct
Po‛lal. be established
Hithpo‛l. be established
base
נָכוֹן n. [m.] = blow Jb 12:5
ref
H3559a כּוּן prob. be firm, only in der. conj. . . be set up, established, fixed
. in a moral sense, be directed aright, of ways
. prepare, be ready
. pass. be prepared, of judgments
. . establish, set up
. . fix, so as to be ready, make ready, prepare, a gift
. provide for, provide, furnish
. direct one's face toward
. arrange, order
. . be established, of throne
. be prepared for
. . set up, establish
. constitute, make, a man (in womb)
. fix, so as to be ready
. direct
. be established
. be established
H3559b נָכוֹן n. [m.] = blow
3559 kuwn koon
a primitive root; properly, to be erect (i.e. stand
perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great
variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,
prepare, apply), or figurative (appoint, render sure, proper
or prosperous):--certain(-ty), confirm, direct, faithfulness,
fashion, fasten, firm, be fitted, be fixed, frame, be meet,
ordain, order, perfect, (make) preparation, prepare (self),
provide, make provision, (be, make) ready, right, set (aright,
fast, forth), be stable, (e-)stablish, stand, tarry, X very
deed.
כּוּן (kun) — to establish: prepare.
: prepare/direct
1) to be firm, be stable, be established
1a) (Niphal)
1a1) to be set up, be established, be fixed
1a1a) to be firmly established
1a1b) to be established, be stable, be secure, be enduring
1a1c) to be fixed, be securely determined
1a2) to be directed aright, be fixed aright, be steadfast (moral sense)
1a3) to prepare, be ready
1a4) to be prepared, be arranged, be settled
1b) (Hiphil)
1b1) to establish, set up, accomplish, do, make firm
1b2) to fix, make ready, prepare, provide, provide for, furnish
1b3) to direct toward (moral sense)
1b4) to arrange, order
1c) (Hophal)
1c1) to be established, be fastened
1c2) to be prepared, be ready
1d) (Polel)
1d1) to set up, establish
1d2) to constitute, make
1d3) to fix
1d4) to direct
1e) (Pulal) to be established, be prepared
1f) (Hithpolel) to be established, be restored
נָכוֹן (na.khon) — blow.
V-Niphal-Imperf-3mp — Verb · Niphal · imperfect third person masculine pluralHVNi3mp
