Bible Strands
Proverbs 14:12
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The text functions as a standalone wisdom observation placed between a warning about the wicked's destruction and a note on sorrow beneath laughter, addressing human self-assessment without specifying a named speaker or historical moment.
The words — The Hebrew יֵשׁ (yesh, "there is") introduces a דֶּרֶךְ (derekh, singular "way") that appears יָשָׁר (yashar, "right") לִפְנֵי אִישׁ (lifnei ish, "to a man"), yet its אַחֲרִיתָהּ (acharitah, "end") becomes דַּרְכֵי מָוֶת (darkei mavet, construct plural "ways of death").
The thread — The identical phrasing occurs in Proverbs 16:25, the theme of self-deceived judgment connects to Proverbs 12:15, and the destructive trajectory mirrors the broad path to ruin described in Matthew 7:13.
Why it lands — It requires readers to verify their own judgments against established wisdom rather than relying on subjective certainty, because perceived correctness does not prevent a fatal outcome.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 16:25 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.
- Matthew 7:13 Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.
- Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to counsel.
- Galatians 6:3 If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
- Luke 13:24 “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able.
- Romans 6:21 What fruit did you reap at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? The outcome of those things is death.
- Proverbs 30:12 There is a generation of those who are pure in their own eyes and yet unwashed of their filth.
- James 1:22 Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves.
- Ephesians 5:6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience.