Proverbs 2:14

Study note

Setting — The passage addresses a student warned against departing from straight paths, describing the internal disposition of those who choose darkness. The speaker frames this description as a direct contrast to the path of wisdom.

The words — שׂמחים (se.me.chim) denotes the joyful ones who take delight, while תַהְפּוּכוֹת (tah.pu.Khot) means perverse things or twistedness. The supplied verbs modify the people who delight, not the root רע, which functions strictly as the object of the infinitive and the genitive modifier of תַהְפּוּכוֹת.

The thread — This pattern of finding satisfaction in wrongdoing runs through Proverbs 10:23, Romans 1:32, and Jeremiah 11:15. Each reference records individuals or groups who continue practices known to violate divine decree or covenant boundaries.

Why it lands — The text requires a reader to identify the internal motivation behind wicked actions rather than merely cataloging the acts. It demands that the reader examine where their own delight is fixed and actively turn away from perverse pursuits.

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.