Topical Bible: Paths

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In biblical literature, the concept of "paths" often symbolizes the journey of life, moral choices, and the guidance provided by God. The imagery of paths is used extensively throughout the Scriptures to illustrate the direction one takes in life, whether righteous or wicked, and the consequences thereof.

Divine Guidance and Righteous Paths

The Bible frequently emphasizes the importance of following the paths laid out by God, which lead to righteousness and life. In Proverbs 3:5-6 , it is written, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." This passage underscores the belief that reliance on God results in a clear and righteous path.

Psalm 23:3 also reflects this theme: "He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for the sake of His name." Here, the psalmist acknowledges God's role as a shepherd who leads His followers along paths that align with His holy nature.

The Path of the Wicked

In contrast, the Bible warns against the paths of the wicked, which lead to destruction. Proverbs 4:14-15 advises, "Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. Avoid it; do not travel on it. Turn from it and go on your way." This passage highlights the danger and moral peril associated with straying from God's guidance.

Psalm 1:6 further contrasts the paths of the righteous and the wicked: "For the LORD guards the path of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish." The imagery here is clear—God actively protects those who follow His ways, while those who choose wickedness face inevitable ruin.

Wisdom and Understanding

The pursuit of wisdom is often depicted as a journey along a path. Proverbs 2:9 states, "Then you will discern righteousness and justice and equity—every good path." Wisdom, therefore, is not only a gift from God but also a guide that helps believers navigate life's complexities.

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is portrayed as the ultimate path to God. In John 14:6 , Jesus declares, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." This statement affirms that the path to eternal life and communion with God is found exclusively through faith in Christ.

The Narrow and Wide Paths

Jesus also teaches about the narrow and wide paths in Matthew 7:13-14 : "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it." This teaching emphasizes the difficulty and commitment required to follow the path of righteousness, as opposed to the ease of following the path of sin.

Conclusion

Throughout the Bible, paths serve as a powerful metaphor for the choices individuals make and the spiritual journeys they undertake. Whether illustrating divine guidance, the consequences of wickedness, or the pursuit of wisdom, the imagery of paths calls believers to a life of faithfulness and obedience to God's will.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

(n.) Plural of Path.

Greek

5163. trochia -- the track of a wheel, hence a track, path
... a path. Word Origin from trochos Definition the track of a wheel, hence
a track, path NASB Word Usage paths (1). path. From trochos ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5163.htm - 6k

5147. tribos -- a beaten track, a path
... Mal 3:6; Heb 13:8). Word Origin from tribo (to rub, thresh out) Definition
a beaten track, a path NASB Word Usage paths (3). path. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5147.htm - 7k

3598. hodos -- a way, road
... word Definition a way, road NASB Word Usage highways (2), journey (7), path (1),
paths (1), road (24), roads (1), streets (1), way (54), ways (9). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3598.htm - 6k

Strong's Hebrew

5410b. nethibah -- path, pathway
... 5410a, 5410b. nethibah. 5411 . path, pathway. Transliteration: nethibah
Short Definition: paths. Word Origin from the same as nathib ...
/hebrew/5410b.htm - 5k

7635. shebil -- a way, path
shebil or shebul. 7634, 7635. shebil or shebul. 7636 . a way, path.
Transliteration: shebil or shebul Phonetic Spelling: (shaw-beel') Short Definition: ...
/hebrew/7635.htm - 6k

734. orach -- a way, path
... 733, 734. orach. 735 . a way, path. Transliteration: orach Phonetic Spelling:
(o'-rakh) Short Definition: paths. Word Origin from ...
/hebrew/734.htm - 6k

4570. magal -- an entrenchment, track
... 4569b, 4570. magal or magalah. 4571 . an entrenchment, track. Transliteration:
magal or magalah Phonetic Spelling: (mah-gawl') Short Definition: paths. ...
/hebrew/4570.htm - 6k

2519. chalaqlaqqoth -- smoothness
... Word Origin by redupl. from chalaq Definition smoothness NASB Word Usage hypocrisy
(1), intrigue (1), slippery (1), slippery paths (1). flattery, slippery. ...
/hebrew/2519.htm - 6k

Library

The Two Paths
... THE PROVERBS THE TWO PATHS. 'Hear, O my ... many.11. I have taught thee in the
way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.12. When ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the two paths.htm

The Two Paths
... ST. MATTHEW Chaps. I to VIII THE TWO PATHS. 'Enter ... IV. That leads me to the last
point"viz. the contrasted ends of these two paths. Christ ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the two paths.htm

The Two Paths
... SONNETS iii The Two Paths. Hear, O my ... many. I have taught thee in the way of
wisdom; I have led thee in paths of uprightness. When thou ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/iii the two paths.htm

The Two Paths.
... Homily VII. Chapter VII."The Two Paths. "Knowing, then, these good and evil
deeds, I make known unto you as it were two paths, [1083 ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter vii the two paths.htm

Stedfastness in the Old Paths.
... SERMON XVIII. Stedfastness in the Old Paths. "Thus saith the Lord ... 6:16. Reverence
for the old paths is a chief Christian duty. We look ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon xviii stedfastness in the.htm

O Word of Truth! in Devious Paths
... ST. GREGORY O Word of Truth! in devious paths. tr., John Brownlie 8,6,8,6. AN EVENING
HYMN. ... I. O Word of Truth! in devious paths. My wayward feet have trod,. ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the greek church/o word of truth in.htm

He Leadeth Me in the Paths of Justice for his Name's Sake.
... VI. HE LEADETH ME IN THE PATHS OF JUSTICE FOR HIS NAME'S SAKE. The shepherd
country of the East is full of walks and pathways, some ...
//christianbookshelf.org/callan/the shepherd of my soul/vi he leadeth me in.htm

"I Lead in the Way of Righteousness, in the Midst of the Paths of ...
... "I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment, that
I may cause ... Waters still and pastures green,. Pleasant paths my soul hath seen. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/waring/hymns and meditations/i lead in the way.htm

Lead Us, O Father, in the Paths of Peace
... II. THE CHRISTIAN YEAR Sundays after Trinity: Divine Guidance 248. Lead us, O Father,
in the paths of peace. Four 10's ... Lead us, O Father, in the paths of peace; ...
/.../sundays after trinity divine guidance 5.htm

Comparison of the Statements of the Four Evangelists Respecting ...
... The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make
His paths straight." Now the words, "Make straight the way of the Lord," added ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of john/14 comparison of the statements.htm

Thesaurus

Paths (65 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Plural of Path. Multi-Version Concordance Paths
(65 Occurrences). ... Make his paths straight." (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/p/paths.htm - 24k

By-paths (1 Occurrence)
By-paths. Bypaths, By-paths. Byssus . Multi-Version Concordance
By-paths (1 Occurrence). Jeremiah 18:15 For my people ...
/b/by-paths.htm - 6k

Cross-paths (1 Occurrence)
Cross-paths. Cross-mark, Cross-paths. Crossroads . Multi-Version
Concordance Cross-paths (1 Occurrence). Proverbs 8:2 ...
/c/cross-paths.htm - 6k

Pathway (4 Occurrences)
... or evil (eg Proverbs 2:15), generally accompanied by a term defining the moral quality
of the conduct, either an abstract noun (eg "the paths of uprightness ...
/p/pathway.htm - 10k

Crooked (31 Occurrences)
... Judges 5:6 In the days of Shamgar son of Anath -- In the days of Jael -- The ways
have ceased, And those going in the paths go 'in' crooked ways. (YLT). ...
/c/crooked.htm - 17k

Going (2561 Occurrences)
... In Psalm 17:5 "Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not" becomes
in the Revised Version (British and American) "My steps have held fast to ...
/g/going.htm - 10k

Prepare (199 Occurrences)
... this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying
in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight ...
/p/prepare.htm - 36k

Goings (42 Occurrences)
... In Psalm 17:5 "Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not" becomes
in the Revised Version (British and American) "My steps have held fast to ...
/g/goings.htm - 22k

Path (91 Occurrences)
... or evil (eg Proverbs 2:15), generally accompanied by a term defining the moral quality
of the conduct, either an abstract noun (eg "the paths of uprightness ...
/p/path.htm - 33k

Wilderness (304 Occurrences)
... Lord. Make his paths straight." (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). ... Lord! Make
his paths straight!'" (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). ...
/w/wilderness.htm - 43k

Resources

What are the greatest promises in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to “in all your ways acknowledge Him” in Proverbs 3:6? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about gangs? | GotQuestions.org

Paths: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus

Concordance

Paths (65 Occurrences)

Matthew 3:3
For this is he who was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, make ready the way of the Lord. Make his paths straight."
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Mark 1:3
The voice of one crying in the wilderness,'Make ready the way of the Lord! Make his paths straight!'"
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Luke 3:4
As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, "The voice of one crying in the wilderness,'Make ready the way of the Lord. Make his paths straight.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 2:28
Thou hast made known to me the paths of life, thou wilt fill me with joy with thy countenance.
(DBY NIV)

Acts 13:10
said, "You who are full of every kind of craftiness and unscrupulous cunning--you son of the Devil and foe to all that is right--will you never cease to misrepresent the straight paths of the Lord?
(WEY DBY RSV)

Romans 3:16
Ruin and misery mark their path;
(See NAS RSV)

Romans 11:33
Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past tracing out!
(See NIV)

Hebrews 3:10
Therefore I was greatly grieved with that generation, and I said, 'They are ever going astray in heart, and have not learnt to know My paths.'
(WEY)

Hebrews 12:13
and make straight paths for your feet, so that which is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Judges 5:6
In the days of Shamgar son of Anath -- In the days of Jael -- The ways have ceased, And those going in the paths go 'in' crooked ways.
(YLT NIV)

2 Chronicles 9:11
And the king made of the algum-trees terraces for the house of Jehovah, and for the king's house, and harps and psalteries for the singers: and there were none such seen before in the land of Judah.
(See JPS)

Job 6:18
The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish.
(KJV JPS DBY WBS YLT NAS)

Job 8:13
So are the paths of all who forget God. The hope of the godless man shall perish,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Job 13:27
You also put my feet in the stocks, and mark all my paths. You set a bound to the soles of my feet,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Job 19:8
He has walled up my way so that I can't pass, and has set darkness in my paths.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Job 24:13
"These are of those who rebel against the light. They don't know its ways, nor abide in its paths.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Job 30:12
On the right hand doth a brood arise, My feet they have cast away, And they raise up against me, Their paths of calamity.
(YLT)

Job 33:11
He puts my feet in the stocks. He marks all my paths.'
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Job 38:20
that you should take it to its bound, that you should discern the paths to its house?
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 8:8
The birds of the sky, the fish of the sea, and whatever passes through the paths of the seas.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 17:4
Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.
(KJV DBY WBS YLT NAS)

Psalms 17:5
My steps have held fast to your paths. My feet have not slipped.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 23:3
He restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 25:4
Show me your ways, Yahweh. Teach me your paths.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 25:10
All the paths of Yahweh are loving kindness and truth to such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Psalms 65:11
Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS)

Psalms 77:19
Your way was through the sea; your paths through the great waters. Your footsteps were not known.
(WEB ASV DBY YLT NAS)

Psalms 119:15
I will meditate upon thy precepts, and have respect unto thy paths.
(DBY YLT)

Proverbs 1:15
My son, walk not thou in the way with them, restrain thy foot from their path;
(See RSV NIV)

Proverbs 1:19
So are the paths of every one that is greedy of gain: it taketh away the life of its possessors.
(DBY YLT)

Proverbs 2:8
that he may guard the paths of justice, and preserve the way of his saints.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Proverbs 2:13
who forsake the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Proverbs 2:15
who are crooked in their ways, and wayward in their paths:
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Proverbs 2:18
for her house leads down to death, her paths to the dead.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV)

Proverbs 2:19
None who go to her return again, neither do they attain to the paths of life:
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Proverbs 2:20
that you may walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Proverbs 3:6
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Proverbs 3:17
Her ways are ways of pleasantness. All her paths are peace.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Proverbs 4:11
I have taught you in the way of wisdom. I have led you in straight paths.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Proverbs 4:26
Make plain the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.
(See NIV)

Proverbs 5:6
The path of life -- lest thou ponder, Moved have her paths -- thou knowest not.
(YLT NIV)

Proverbs 5:21
For the ways of man are before the eyes of Yahweh. He examines all his paths.
(WEB JPS ASV DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Proverbs 7:25
Don't let your heart turn to her ways. Don't go astray in her paths,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Proverbs 8:2
On the top of high places by the way, where the paths meet, she stands.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Proverbs 8:20
I walk in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of justice;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Proverbs 9:15
To call to those passing by the way, Who are going straight 'on' their paths.
(YLT NAS)

Proverbs 10:9
He whose ways are upright will go safely, but he whose ways are twisted will be made low.
(See NIV)

Proverbs 17:23
A wicked man taketh a gift out of the bosom, to pervert the paths of judgment.
(DBY YLT)

Proverbs 22:25
lest thou learn his paths, and get a snare to thy soul.
(DBY YLT)

Isaiah 2:3
Many peoples shall go and say, "Come, let's go up to the mountain of Yahweh, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths." For out of Zion the law shall go forth, and the word of Yahweh from Jerusalem.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Isaiah 3:12
As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. My people, those who lead you cause you to err, and destroy the way of your paths.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Isaiah 41:3
He pursueth them, he passeth over in safety A path with his feet he entereth not.
(See RSV)

Isaiah 42:16
I will bring the blind by a way that they don't know. I will lead them in paths that they don't know. I will make darkness light before them, and crooked places straight. I will do these things, and I will not forsake them.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Isaiah 58:12
Those who shall be of you shall build the old waste places; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; and you shall be called The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT)

Isaiah 59:7
Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; desolation and destruction are in their paths.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS)

Isaiah 59:8
The way of peace they don't know; and there is no justice in their goings: they have made them crooked paths; whoever goes therein does not know peace.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 6:16
Thus says Yahweh, Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way; and walk therein, and you shall find rest for your souls: but they said, We will not walk therein.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 18:15
For my people have forgotten me, they have burned incense to false gods; and they have been made to stumble in their ways, in the ancient paths, to walk in byways, in a way not built up;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 23:12
Therefore their way shall be to them as slippery places in the darkness: they shall be driven on, and fall therein; for I will bring evil on them, even the year of their visitation, says Yahweh.
(See NAS RSV)

Lamentations 3:9
He has walled up my ways with cut stone; he has made my paths crooked.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Daniel 4:37
Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of the heavens, all whose works are truth, and his paths judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.
(DBY YLT)

Hosea 2:6
Therefore, behold, I will hedge up thy way with thorns, and make a wall, that she shall not find her paths.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Hosea 9:8
A prophet watches over Ephraim with my God. A fowler's snare is on all of his paths, and hostility in the house of his God.
(WEB NIV)

Joel 2:7
They run like mighty men; they climb the wall like men of war; and they march every one on his ways, and they break not their ranks.
(See JPS YLT NAS RSV)

Micah 4:2
Many nations will go and say, "Come, and let us go up to the mountain of Yahweh, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths." For out of Zion will go forth the law, and the word of Yahweh from Jerusalem;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Subtopics

Paths

Related Terms

Path (91 Occurrences)

Pathways (1 Occurrence)

Ark (212 Occurrences)

Paths (65 Occurrences)

Way (7551 Occurrences)

Exodus (2 Occurrences)

Babel (3 Occurrences)

Babylon (270 Occurrences)

Boats (11 Occurrences)