Bible Strands
Proverbs 19:2
Even zeal is no good without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps misses the mark.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Solomon's instruction, likely to his son, mid-chapter in a collection of aphorisms. It bridges a contrast of integrity versus perversity (v. 1) and a statement on folly and rage against God (v. 3).
The words — The BSB's "zeal" renders נֶ֣פֶשׁ (nefesh), literally "soul" or "a person," broader than passion. The verb אָץ ('atz), "hasten," carries the sense of rushing forward without checking the ground.
The thread — Haste paired with lack of wisdom recurs in Proverbs 21:5 (haste leads to poverty) and Proverbs 29:20 (hasty speech). Philippians 1:9 pairs love with knowledge and insight as a corrective to undirected feeling.
Why it lands — It asks the reader to test whether their drive is informed or merely fast. The standard is not effort but direction.
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
Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 21:5 The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty.
- Proverbs 29:20 Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
- Philippians 1:9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,
- Ecclesiastes 7:9 Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger settles in the lap of a fool.
- Isaiah 28:16 So this is what the Lord GOD says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will never be shaken.
- Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.
- John 16:3 They will do these things because they have not known the Father or Me.
- Romans 10:2 For I testify about them that they are zealous for God, but not on the basis of knowledge.
- Proverbs 1:16 For their feet run to evil, and they are swift to shed blood.
- Proverbs 14:29 A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man promotes folly.