Bible Strands
Proverbs 4:19
But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they do not know what makes them stumble.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Solomon addresses his son, concluding a parental instruction that contrasts two opposing moral trajectories. The verse marks the moment of decision between the path of righteousness and the path of wickedness.
The words — The Hebrew term רְשָׁעִים (re.sha.'im) identifies the "wicked," while אֲפֵלָה (a.fe.Lah) denotes "darkness" or "gloom." The phrase לֹא יָדְעוּ (lo' ya.de.'U) literally renders "they do not know" what causes their stumbling.
The thread — This imagery of moral blindness parallels Isaiah 59:9, where hope for light yields only darkness, and Job 18:5, which describes the extinguished lamp of the wicked. Jesus later warns in John 12:35 to walk while possessing the Light to avoid similar spiritual darkness.
Why it lands — The text states that the wicked walk in complete darkness and lack awareness of their own faults. It requires the reader to pursue discernment to avoid unexplained failure.
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
The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.
Cross-references
- John 12:35 Then Jesus told them, “For a little while longer, the Light will be among you. Walk while you have the Light, so that darkness will not overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going.
- Isaiah 59:9 Therefore justice is far from us, and righteousness does not reach us. We hope for light, but there is darkness; for brightness, but we walk in gloom.
- Job 18:5 Indeed, the lamp of the wicked is extinguished; the flame of his fire does not glow.
- Jeremiah 23:12 “Therefore their path will become slick; they will be driven away into the darkness and fall into it. For I will bring disaster upon them in the year of their punishment,” declares the LORD.
- 1 Samuel 2:9 He guards the steps of His faithful ones, but the wicked perish in darkness; for by his own strength shall no man prevail.
- Jeremiah 13:16 Give glory to the LORD your God before He brings darkness, before your feet stumble on the dusky mountains. You wait for light, but He turns it into deep gloom and thick darkness.
- Job 5:14 They encounter darkness by day and grope at noon as in the night.
- Job 12:25 They grope in the darkness without light; He makes them stagger like drunkards.
- Job 18:18 He is driven from light into darkness and is chased from the inhabited world.
- Proverbs 2:13 from those who leave the straight paths to walk in the ways of darkness,