New International Version But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble. New Living Translation But the way of the wicked is like total darkness. They have no idea what they are stumbling over. English Standard Version The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble. Berean Standard Bible But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they do not know what makes them stumble. Berean Literal Bible The way of the wicked is like the darkness—they do not know over what they stumble. King James Bible The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble. New King James Version The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know what makes them stumble. New American Standard Bible The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know over what they stumble. NASB 1995 The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know over what they stumble. NASB 1977 The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know over what they stumble. Legacy Standard Bible The way of the wicked is like thick darkness; They do not know over what they stumble. Amplified Bible The way of the wicked is like [deep] darkness; They do not know over what they stumble. Berean Annotated Bible But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they do not know what makes them stumble. Christian Standard Bible But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they don’t know what makes them stumble. Holman Christian Standard Bible But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they don’t know what makes them stumble. American Standard Version The way of the wicked is as darkness: They know not at what they stumble. Contemporary English Version The lifestyle of the wicked is like total darkness, and they will never know what makes them stumble. English Revised Version The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble. GOD'S WORD® Translation The way of wicked people is like deep darkness. They do not know what makes them stumble. Good News Translation The road of the wicked, however, is dark as night. They fall, but cannot see what they have stumbled over. International Standard Version But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness, and they do not know what they are stumbling over. NET Bible The way of the wicked is like gloomy darkness; they do not know what causes them to stumble. New Heart English Bible The way of the wicked is like darkness. They do not know what they stumble over. Webster's Bible Translation The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleBut the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they do not know what makes them stumble. World English Bible The way of the wicked is like darkness. They don’t know what they stumble over. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionThe way of the wicked [is] as darkness, "" They have not known at what they stumble. Berean Literal Bible The way of the wicked is like the darkness—they do not know over what they stumble. Young's Literal Translation The way of the wicked is as darkness, They have not known at what they stumble. Smith's Literal Translation The way of the unjust as darkness: they shall not know in what they shall stumble. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThe way of the wicked is darksome: they know not where they fall. Catholic Public Domain Version The way of the impious is darkened. They do not know where they may fall. New American Bible The way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know on what they stumble. New Revised Standard Version The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what they stumble over. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThe way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know at what they stumble. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated But the way of the wicked is darkness and they do not know on what they stumble. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917The way of the wicked is as darkness; They know not at what they stumble. Brenton Septuagint Translation But the ways of the ungodly are dark; they know not how they stumble. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible (Voice ▾ Musical ▾) Context A Father's Instruction…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.… Cross References But the way of the wicked Psalm 1:6 For the LORD guards the path of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. Proverbs 15:9 The LORD detests the way of the wicked, but He loves those who pursue righteousness. Proverbs 12:26 A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the ways of the wicked lead them astray. is like the darkest gloom; Jude 1:13 They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever. 2 Peter 2:17 These men are springs without water and mists driven by a storm. Blackest darkness is reserved for them. Job 10:21-22 before I go—never to return—to a land of darkness and gloom, / to a land of utter darkness, of deep shadow and disorder, where even the light is like darkness.” they do not know what makes them stumble. John 11:10 But if anyone walks at night, he will stumble, because he has no light.” 1 John 2:11 But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness. He does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. Isaiah 59:10 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. 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. 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. Matthew 15:14 Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.” Ephesians 4:18 They are darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts. 2 Corinthians 4:4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 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. Isaiah 8:20 To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn. Treasury of Scripture The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble. 1 Samuel 2:9 He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail. Job 5:14 They meet with darkness in the daytime, and grope in the noonday as in the night. Job 12:25 They grope in the dark without light, and he maketh them to stagger like a drunken man. Jump to Previous Cause Dark Darkness Deep Fall Makes Sinners Stumble Way WickedJump to Next Cause Dark Darkness Deep Fall Makes Sinners Stumble Way WickedProverbs 4 1. persuades to wisdom14. and to show wickedness 20. He exhorts to sanctification But the way of the wicked But the way of the wicked is marked by spiritual darkness, rebellion against God’s wisdom, and a path that leads toward judgment rather than life. Psa 1:6 For the LORD guards the path of the righteous,… is like the darkest gloom; Their path is marked by moral and spiritual darkness, leaving them without clear direction or discernment. Sin obscures the consequences of their choices and separates them from the light of God’s truth. Jud 1:13 They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame;… they do not know what makes them stumble. Though their lives are marked by repeated ruin, they fail to recognize that their rejection of God’s instruction is the cause. Their blindness leaves them unable to see the danger before them or the source of their fall. Jhn 11:10 But if anyone walks at night, he will stumble,… Persons / Places / Events 1. Solomon- Traditionally considered the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. He wrote Proverbs to impart wisdom and understanding. 2. The Wicked - This term refers to those who live in opposition to God's ways, often characterized by moral corruption and spiritual blindness. 3. The Path of Darkness - A metaphorical description of the life and choices of the wicked, symbolizing confusion, danger, and lack of direction. Teaching Points The Consequences of WickednessThe path of the wicked leads to confusion and stumbling. Living apart from God's wisdom results in spiritual blindness and moral failure. The Importance of Spiritual Light Just as physical light guides our steps, spiritual light—God's Word—illuminates our path and prevents us from stumbling. The Call to Discernment Believers are called to discern the paths they choose, ensuring they align with God's wisdom rather than the darkness of the world. The Role of God's Word Scripture serves as a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, guiding us away from the pitfalls of wickedness. The Urgency of Repentance Those who find themselves on the path of darkness are urged to repent and seek the light of Christ, who offers clarity and direction. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Proverbs 4:19?2. How does Proverbs 4:19 describe the path of the wicked? 3. What practical steps can we take to avoid the "deep darkness" mentioned? 4. How does Proverbs 4:19 connect with Jesus' teachings on light and darkness? 5. What are the consequences of walking in "deep darkness" according to Proverbs 4:19? 6. How can we help others avoid the path described in Proverbs 4:19? 7. How does Proverbs 4:19 describe the path of the wicked? 8. What theological implications arise from Proverbs 4:19's depiction of darkness? 9. How does Proverbs 4:19 challenge our understanding of moral blindness? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 4? (19) The way of the wicked is as darkness.--By refusing to "walk in the light" of God's Word, and conscience (1John 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.Verse 19. - The way of the wicked is as darkness. In contrast with the path of the just is the way of the wicked, which is described as darkness itself: i.e. so deeply enveloped in gloom that the wicked are not able even to see the obstacles and impediments against which they stumble, and which are the cause of their ruin. It is a way dark throughout - a via tenebrosa (Vulgate) - terminating at length in "the blackness of darkness." As light is emblematical of knowledge, holiness, and joy, so darkness represents ignorance, unholiness, and misery (see Isaiah 8:22). Darkness (aphelah); strictly, thick darkness, midnight gloom, the entire absence of light. It is the word used of the plague of "thick darkness" that settled over all the land of Egypt, even a darkness that "might be felt," when the Egyptians "saw not one another, nor any arose from his place for three days" (Exodus 10:21-23). It occurs again in ch. 7:9, "in the black and dark night." In this darkness the wicked cannot help but stumble. Compare our Lord's teaching, "But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him" (John 11:10; cf. 12:36). The expression, they know not at what they stumble, carries with it the idea that they are so ignorant that they neither know wickedness as wickedness, nor do they apprehend the destruction which it involves. "Sins, however great and detestable they may be, are looked upon as trivial, or as not sins at all, when men get accustomed to them" (St. Augustine, 'Enchiridion,' cap. 80). On "stumble" (kashal), see ver. 12; and on the destruction of the wicked implied in the stumbling, see Proverbs 1:27, seq., 2:18-22; 3:35. Proverbs 4:19 paints a sober, literal picture: the person who turns from God walks a road of thick darkness, unaware of both present dangers and ultimate destruction. Darkness breeds ignorance; ignorance leads to repeated falls. By contrast, embracing the Lord’s wisdom floods the path with light, clarity, and safety. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew But the wayדֶּ֣רֶךְ (de·reḵ) Noun - common singular construct Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action of the wicked רְ֭שָׁעִים (rə·šā·‘îm) Adjective - masculine plural Strong's 7563: Wrong, an, bad person is like the darkest gloom; כָּֽאֲפֵלָ֑ה (kā·’ă·p̄ê·lāh) Preposition-k, Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 653: Duskiness, misfortune, concealment they do not לֹ֥א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no know יָ֝דְע֗וּ (yā·ḏə·‘ū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 3045: To know what בַּמֶּ֥ה (bam·meh) Preposition-b | Interrogative Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what makes them stumble. יִכָּשֵֽׁלוּ׃ (yik·kā·šê·lū) Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 3782: To totter, waver, to falter, stumble, faint, fall Additonal Resources Proverbs 4:19 Blue Letter BibleProverbs 4:19 Bible Gateway Proverbs 4:19 Bible.com Proverbs 4:19 NIV |
    |