Bible Strands
Proverbs 22:5
Thorns and snares lie on the path of the perverse; he who guards his soul stays far from them.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — A wisdom teacher addresses a student within a collection of moral instructions, contrasting the consequences of moral deviation with the discipline required for a secure life.
The words — צִנִּ֣ים (tzi.Nim) denotes sharp thorns, while פַּ֭חִים (Pa.chim) refers to bird snares or traps.
The thread — The contrast between a blocked path and a clear highway appears in Proverbs 15:19 and Proverbs 16:17, while the concept of divine protection from evil is echoed in 1 John 5:18.
Why it lands — The text demands deliberate moral vigilance, requiring the reader to actively avoid perverse conduct to prevent encountering unavoidable harm.
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
Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 16:17 The highway of the upright leads away from evil; he who guards his way protects his life.
- Proverbs 15:19 The way of the slacker is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a highway.
- 1 John 5:18 We know that anyone born of God does not keep on sinning; the One who was born of God protects him, and the evil one cannot touch him.
- Jude 1:20 But you, beloved, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit,
- Job 18:8 For his own feet lead him into a net, and he wanders into its mesh.
- Psalms 18:26 to the pure You show Yourself pure, but to the crooked You show Yourself shrewd.
- Proverbs 13:15 Good understanding wins favor, but the way of the faithless is difficult.
- Proverbs 19:16 He who keeps a commandment preserves his soul, but he who is careless in his ways will die.
- Psalms 91:1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
- Proverbs 13:3 He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.