Proverbs 10:29 kjv
The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
Proverbs 10:29 nkjv
The way of the LORD is strength for the upright, But destruction will come to the workers of iniquity.
Proverbs 10:29 niv
The way of the LORD is a refuge for the blameless, but it is the ruin of those who do evil.
Proverbs 10:29 esv
The way of the LORD is a stronghold to the blameless, but destruction to evildoers.
Proverbs 10:29 nlt
The way of the LORD is a stronghold to those with integrity,
but it destroys the wicked.
Proverbs 10 29 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 1:6 | For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish. | God's knowledge and distinct outcomes for righteous/wicked. |
| Psa 18:2 | The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust;.. | God as strength and refuge for the trusting. |
| Psa 28:7-8 | The LORD is my strength and my shield; In Him my heart trusted, and I am helped;... | Trust in the Lord brings strength and help. |
| Psa 37:20 | But the wicked shall perish; And the enemies of the LORD, like the splendor of the meadows, shall vanish... | The eventual demise of the wicked. |
| Isa 40:29-31 | He gives power to the weak, And to those who have no might He increases strength... | God empowers the weary. |
| Nah 1:7 | The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him. | God is a stronghold for those who trust Him. |
| 2 Sam 22:3 | My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge... | God as ultimate strength and refuge. |
| Prov 1:32 | For the turning away of the simple will slay them, And the complacency of fools will destroy them; | Simplicity and foolishness lead to destruction. |
| Prov 2:7 | He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly; | Wisdom and protection for the upright. |
| Prov 11:5-6 | The righteousness of the blameless will direct his way aright, But the wicked will fall by his own wickedness... | Righteousness guides, wickedness causes downfall. |
| Prov 11:18-19 | The wicked man does deceptive work, But he who sows righteousness will have sure reward... | Reward for righteousness, lack for wickedness. |
| Prov 13:6 | Righteousness guards him whose way is blameless, But wickedness overthrows the sinner. | Righteousness protects, sin destroys. |
| Matt 7:13-14 | Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many... | Two distinct paths with different eternal outcomes. |
| Rom 2:5-9 | But in accordance with your hardness and impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath... | God's just judgment based on deeds. |
| Rom 6:23 | For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. | Sin leads to spiritual death, God's gift to life. |
| Php 3:18-19 | For many walk... whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things. | The destructive end of those focused on worldly desires. |
| 2 Thess 1:8-9 | In flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel... | Divine judgment and eternal destruction for the disobedient. |
| Heb 12:14 | Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: | Holiness is prerequisite for seeing the Lord. |
| 1 Pet 4:18 | Now "If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?" | The difficulty for even the righteous, and the inevitable judgment of the wicked. |
| Mal 3:18 | Then you shall again discern between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him. | The clear distinction God makes between righteous and wicked. |
Proverbs 10 verses
Proverbs 10 29 Meaning
Proverbs 10:29 declares that the path set by the Lord serves as a secure fortress and source of power for those who live with integrity, providing them stability and protection. Conversely, this very same path, characterized by God's established moral order, brings about the utter downfall and ruin of those who habitually practice wickedness. It underscores that God's consistent character inherently yields differing outcomes based on one's adherence to or rebellion against His principles.
Proverbs 10 29 Context
Proverbs 10 marks a shift in the book, initiating a long section dominated by antithetical parallelism, where the second line contrasts with the first. This chapter specifically focuses on the contrasting fates and characteristics of the righteous and the wicked, often attributing good outcomes to the former and negative consequences to the latter. Verse 29 fits perfectly within this pattern, illustrating a fundamental truth about divine justice and the moral order God has established in the world.
Historically and culturally, wisdom literature like Proverbs was part of ancient Near Eastern didactic traditions, often aimed at educating young men in how to live successfully and ethically. However, unlike some contemporary wisdom traditions that might attribute success purely to skill or capricious divine favor, Israelite wisdom tied true prosperity and safety directly to adherence to the covenant God, YHWH. The "way of the Lord" (דֶּרֶךְ יְהוָה - derekh YHWH) was understood not merely as a set of rules but as the inherent moral structure of the cosmos, reflecting God's character. Any departure from this way was seen as self-destructive. This polemicized against the often amoral or polytheistic perspectives of surrounding cultures where deities might be appeased irrespective of moral conduct.
Proverbs 10 29 Word analysis
- The way (דֶּרֶךְ - derekh): Literally "road" or "path." In wisdom literature, it frequently signifies a lifestyle, a course of conduct, or a moral orientation. It represents not just a route, but an active walking or living in accordance with particular principles.
- of the LORD (יְהוָה - YHWH): The personal, covenant name of God. This indicates that the "way" is not a generic path of virtue, but one specifically defined and upheld by the sovereign God of Israel. It emphasizes divine establishment and authority. The strength or destruction comes not just from a path, but from God himself through that path.
- is strength (מָעוֹז - ma'oz): Meaning "stronghold," "fortress," "refuge," or "security." It conveys a sense of stability, protection, and defensive power. It's not just a vague concept of strength, but a concrete place of safety and resilience. The way of the Lord actively becomes a source of unwavering support.
- for the upright (לַתָּם - latam): From tam, meaning "complete," "blameless," "having integrity," "innocent." It describes a person whose character and conduct are wholesome and undivided, living according to God's standard. Their walk is genuine and without moral corruption.
- but destruction (מְחִתָּה - mehittah): Meaning "terror," "breaking," "ruin," "overthrow," "downfall." This term indicates a calamitous and crushing collapse, an internal shattering or external shattering event. It's a complete undoing.
- for the workers (לְפֹעֲלֵי - l'po'alei): From pa'al, meaning "to make," "to do," "to perform." Emphasizes active engagement and consistent practice. These are not merely people who commit a sin now and then, but whose lives are defined by their actions of sin.
- of iniquity (אָוֶן - 'aven): Meaning "trouble," "misfortune," "sorrow," but more often "wickedness," "evil," "idolatry," "vanity," "calamity." It refers to moral evil, deceit, and that which is religiously false. The combination po'alei 'aven is a common biblical idiom for those who actively commit and engage in wicked practices.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "The way of the LORD": This phrase refers to God's divinely established moral order, His decrees, and the path of life that aligns with His righteous character. It implies God's active involvement in maintaining justice in the world. It is His very being, manifest in how the world works.
- "is strength for the upright": This indicates a divine causality where walking in integrity according to God's standards inherently leads to stability, security, and true empowerment. The path itself becomes a fortress, protecting and fortifying those who embrace it. This strength is internal (character, resilience) and external (divine protection, favorable circumstances).
- "but destruction for the workers of iniquity": In stark contrast, the same divinely ordered universe brings about the undoing and collapse of those who actively and consistently engage in wickedness. Their deeds carry inherent consequences within God's moral framework, leading to self-inflicted ruin, divine judgment, or both. The 'aven they pa'al leads to mehittah.
Proverbs 10 29 Bonus section
The phrase "way of the LORD" (derekh YHWH) here indicates God's modus operandi – His inherent character and the established moral and spiritual laws by which He governs the cosmos. It's not simply about specific commands, but about the fundamental nature of reality as determined by its Creator. This means that consequences, whether strength or destruction, are not always direct divine interventions but often the organic fruit of living in or against alignment with this established divine order. The very nature of God's holy character automatically separates and brings differing outcomes for righteous and wicked, similar to how light reveals what is hidden while also guiding the seeing.
Proverbs 10 29 Commentary
Proverbs 10:29 succinctly captures a core principle of biblical wisdom: the inherent, non-negotiable moral order established by God. The "way of the Lord" is not a passive concept; it is an active force within the universe, reflecting His character and sovereignty. For those who embrace His truth and live with blameless integrity (the "upright"), this divine order provides foundational strength, security, and a refuge that nothing can truly shatter. Their adherence to righteousness is met with divine upholding and flourishing. However, for those who deliberately and habitually practice wickedness, the same moral order becomes the very instrument of their downfall. The judgment for "workers of iniquity" is not arbitrary but flows naturally from their persistent opposition to the divine order. It is a terrifying realization that God’s steadfastness in righteousness means certain calamity for unrighteousness. This verse teaches that our conduct determines our destiny, not as a separate judgment, but as the unfolding consequence within a God-ordained reality where cause and effect are tied to character and action.