In biblical literature, the term "slippery" is often used metaphorically to describe treacherous or unstable situations, paths, or behaviors. The imagery of a slippery path is employed to convey the danger and uncertainty faced by individuals who stray from righteousness or who are pursued by adversaries.

Biblical References:

1. Psalm 35:6 · "May their path be dark and slippery, as the angel of the LORD pursues them." In this verse, David calls upon God to bring confusion and instability to his enemies. The slippery path symbolizes the precarious and dangerous situation that the wicked find themselves in when opposed by divine justice.

2. Jeremiah 23:12 · "Therefore their path will become slippery; they will be driven away into the darkness and fall therein. For I will bring disaster upon them in the year of their punishment," declares the LORD. Here, the prophet Jeremiah warns of the impending judgment on false prophets and corrupt leaders. The slippery path signifies the inevitable downfall and calamity that awaits those who lead others astray.

Theological Implications:

The concept of slipperiness in the Bible often serves as a warning against moral and spiritual instability. It underscores the importance of adhering to God's commandments and the dangers of deviating from His path. The imagery suggests that those who engage in deceit, wickedness, or idolatry are on a precarious journey that leads to destruction.

Moral and Ethical Lessons:

From a moral standpoint, the metaphor of a slippery path encourages believers to remain steadfast in their faith and to avoid the pitfalls of sin. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of turning away from God's guidance and the importance of seeking His wisdom to navigate life's challenges.

Practical Application:

In practical terms, the biblical use of "slippery" can be applied to everyday life by encouraging individuals to evaluate their actions and decisions. It calls for vigilance in maintaining integrity and righteousness, recognizing that the allure of sin can lead to a treacherous and unstable existence.

Conclusion:

While the Bible does not provide an exhaustive definition of "slippery," its metaphorical use throughout Scripture offers profound insights into the nature of sin, judgment, and the necessity of divine guidance. By understanding the implications of a slippery path, believers are better equipped to pursue a life of faithfulness and obedience to God.1. (a.) Having the quality opposite to adhesiveness; allowing or causing anything to slip or move smoothly, rapidly, and easily upon the surface; smooth; glib; as, oily substances render things slippery.

2. (a.) Not affording firm ground for confidence; as, a slippery promise.

3. (a.) Not easily held; liable or apt to slip away.

4. (a.) Liable to slip; not standing firm.

5. (a.) Unstable; changeable; mutable; uncertain; inconstant; fickle.

6. (a.) Uncertain in effect.

7. (a.) Wanton; unchaste; loose in morals.

4452. malats -- probably to be smooth or slippery
... malats. 4453 . probably to be smooth or slippery. Transliteration: malats Phonetic
Spelling: (maw-lats') Short Definition: sweet. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/4452.htm - 6k

2505b. chalaq -- to be smooth, slippery
... 2505a, 2505b. chalaq. 2506 . to be smooth, slippery. Transliteration:
chalaq Short Definition: flatters. Word Origin a prim. root ...
/hebrew/2505b.htm - 5k

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

2513b. chelqah -- smooth part, smoothness, flattery
... Word Origin from chalaq Definition smooth part, smoothness, flattery NASB Word Usage
flattering (2), pleasant words (1), slippery places (1), smooth (1 ...
/hebrew/2513b.htm - 5k

2513. chelqah -- a portion (of ground)
... figuratively, flattery; also an allotment -- field, flattering(-ry), ground, parcel,
part, piece of land (ground), plat, portion, slippery place, smooth (thing ...
/hebrew/2513.htm - 5k

Psalm XXXV.
... Darkness alone who feareth not? A slippery way alone who avoids not? In
a dark and slippery way how shalt thou go? where set foot? ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xxxv.htm

Philippians iii. 13, 14
... Teach thy feet to be sure, for there are many slippery places, and if thou fallest,
straightway thou losest much. But yet if thou fall, rise up again. ...
/.../homily xii philippians iii 13.htm

Holding Fast and Held Fast
... which lies here, that the true source of steadfastness in character and conduct,
of victory over temptation, and of standing fast in slippery places, is simple ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/holding fast and held fast.htm

Sin the Mocker
... you cannot get away.' The prey is seduced into the trap by a carefully prepared
bait, and as soon as its hesitating foot steps on to the slippery floor, down ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/sin the mocker.htm

You Allude to vigilantius. What Dream this is that You have ...
... In the matter of the letter of the pope Anastasius, you seem to have come on a slippery
place; you walk unsteadily, and do not see where to plant your feet. ...
/.../19 you allude to vigilantius.htm

The Preface
... The Tongue is so slippery, that it easily deceives a drowsy or heedless guard. Nature
seems to have given it some unhappy advantages towards that. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/allestree/the government of the tongue/the preface.htm

How to Use the Present Life, and the Comforts of It.
... us to use this world without abusing it, and to buy possessions as if we were selling
them, (1 Corinthians 7:30, 31.) But as this is a slippery place, and ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/sergieff/on the christian life/chapter v how to use.htm

Book Four this is the Story of his Years among the Manicheans. ...
... And thou, O God, didst see me from afar, stumbling on that slippery path and sending
out some flashes of fidelity amid much smoke"guiding those who loved ...
/.../augustine/confessions and enchiridion/book four this is the.htm

Book Six Turmoil in the Twenties. ...
... And yet I was wandering about in a dark and slippery way, seeking thee
outside myself and thus not finding the God of my heart. ...
/.../augustine/confessions and enchiridion/book six turmoil in the.htm

Enduring to the End
... If the minister should fall, my brethren; if, set upon a pinnacle, he should be
cast down; if, standing in slippery places, he should falter; if the standard ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/enduring to the end.htm

Slippery (4 Occurrences)
... allowing or causing anything to slip or move smoothly, rapidly, and easily upon
the surface; smooth; glib; as, oily substances render things slippery. ...
/s/slippery.htm - 8k

Slipperiness (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The quality of being slippery. Multi-Version
Concordance Slipperiness (1 Occurrence). Psalms 35:6 ...
/s/slipperiness.htm - 6k

Inspection (23 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 23:12 Therefore is their way to them as slippery places, Into thick darkness
they are driven, And they have fallen in it, For I bring in against them ...
/i/inspection.htm - 13k

Elm
... The English elm is Ulmus campestris; the common American or white elm is U. Americana;
the slippery or red elm, U. fulva. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ELM. ...
/e/elm.htm - 7k

Dionysia
... After sacrificing a goat to the god, they filled the wine-skin with wine, made it
slippery on the outside with oil, and then tried to hop on it with one leg. ...
/d/dionysia.htm - 10k

Desolations (18 Occurrences)
... hid. (YLT). Psalms 73:18 Only, in slippery places Thou dost set them, Thou
hast caused them to fall to desolations. (YLT). Psalms ...
/d/desolations.htm - 12k

Banished (19 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/b/banished.htm - 12k

Castest (6 Occurrences)
... thee? (ASV JPS WBS). Psalms 73:18 Surely thou settest them in slippery places:
Thou castest them down to destruction. (ASV DBY). Psalms ...
/c/castest.htm - 7k

Castedst (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Castedst (1 Occurrence). Psalms 73:18 Surely thou didst
set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. (KJV). ...
/c/castedst.htm - 6k

Sliding (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) That slides or slips; gliding; moving smoothly.
2. (a.) Slippery; elusory. Multi-Version Concordance Sliding (1 Occurrence). ...
/s/sliding.htm - 6k

In what ways is sin a slippery slope? | GotQuestions.org

What is the “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” sermon? | GotQuestions.org

I am a Hindu, why should I consider becoming a Christian? | GotQuestions.org

Slippery: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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