Proverbs 18:10 kjv
The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
Proverbs 18:10 nkjv
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe.
Proverbs 18:10 niv
The name of the LORD is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.
Proverbs 18:10 esv
The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.
Proverbs 18:10 nlt
The name of the LORD is a strong fortress;
the godly run to him and are safe.
Proverbs 18 10 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 49:18 | I wait for Your salvation, O Lord. | Trusting God for deliverance. |
| Deut 32:4 | He is the Rock, His work is perfect... | God as an unyielding foundation. |
| 1 Sam 2:2 | There is none holy like the Lord... no rock like our God. | God as unique in power and stability. |
| 2 Sam 22:3 | My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield... | God as personal protector and fortress. |
| Ps 9:10 | Those who know Your name trust in You, for You, O Lord, have not forsaken. | Knowing God's character leads to trust and protection. |
| Ps 18:2 | The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer... | God as multiple forms of refuge. |
| Ps 20:7 | Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord. | Contrasts human reliance with divine reliance. |
| Ps 34:17 | When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them. | God responds to the cries of the righteous. |
| Ps 37:39-40 | The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their stronghold... | God as the source of salvation and stronghold for the righteous. |
| Ps 46:1 | God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. | God as an immediate and ever-present helper. |
| Ps 61:3 | For You have been to me a refuge, a strong tower against the enemy. | God explicitly referred to as a strong tower. |
| Ps 91:1-2 | He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide...my refuge and my fortress. | Remaining under God's protection. |
| Prov 29:25 | The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe. | Trust in God overcomes the fear of man, leading to safety. |
| Isa 26:3-4 | You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You...in the Lord Yah, a rock eternal. | Stability and peace through trust in God. |
| Isa 32:17-18 | The effect of righteousness will be peace...quietness and trust forever. | Righteous living leads to peace and secure dwelling. |
| Nahum 1:7 | The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows those who take refuge. | God's goodness provides refuge; He recognizes His own. |
| Zep 3:12 | I will leave in your midst a people humble and lowly. They will seek refuge in the name of the Lord. | The humble and lowly will seek refuge in God. |
| Joel 2:32 | Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. | Emphasizes universal accessibility to salvation through His name. |
| Rom 10:13 | Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. | New Testament echo of Joel 2:32, highlighting the power of Christ's name. |
| Heb 6:18 | So that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we...flee for refuge... | God's unchanging nature is the basis for sure refuge. |
Proverbs 18 verses
Proverbs 18 10 Meaning
Proverbs 18:10 declares that the revealed character and power of the Lord serve as an impregnable fortress. Those who live in right relationship with God—the righteous—actively seek this divine refuge, finding complete and ultimate security within Him. It highlights that true safety is not found in worldly defenses or human strength, but solely in the Lord Himself.
Proverbs 18 10 Context
Proverbs chapter 18 speaks to various aspects of human interaction, wisdom, folly, and the power of words. Within this practical guidance, verse 10 stands as a foundational theological statement. It elevates the discussion from human endeavors and earthly dynamics to the ultimate source of security—God Himself. The historical context of ancient Israel shows that towers and fortified cities were literal places of refuge during times of war or banditry. The "name of the Lord" for the original Hebrew audience referred to the very essence, character, and manifested presence of God (YHWH), not merely a linguistic label. The verse asserts that turning to God is the ultimate and most reliable act of seeking safety, transcending any physical stronghold. It subtly polemicizes against the pagan notion of seeking protection from false gods or reliance on human might alone by asserting the exclusive, superior safety found in the Lord.
Proverbs 18 10 Word analysis
- The name: From the Hebrew shem (שֵׁם). This refers not just to a word, but to the entire revealed character, authority, reputation, and nature of God. It signifies His presence, power, and essence.
- of the Lord: From the Hebrew YHWH (יְהוָה), the personal, covenantal, and self-existent name of God, indicating His eternal, faithful, and active presence in history and toward His people.
- is a strong: From the Hebrew oz (עֹז), meaning strength, might, power, fortress, or refuge. It denotes robust and formidable invincibility.
- tower: From the Hebrew migdal (מִגְדָּל), referring to a literal elevated defensive structure, watchtower, or stronghold. It symbolizes a place of safety, refuge, and oversight.
- the righteous: From the Hebrew tzaddiq (צַדִּיק), meaning one who is just, innocent, upright, or in right standing with God. It describes those who align their lives with God's commands and character through faith.
- run into it: From the Hebrew yaruts bo (יָרוּץ בּוֹ). "Run" signifies an urgent, deliberate, and active movement. It conveys a decisive act of turning towards God, seeking Him quickly for protection.
- and are safe: From the Hebrew venisgav (וְנִשְׂגָּב), meaning to be high, lifted up, secure, exalted, inaccessible to harm. It promises complete, assured, and elevated security beyond the reach of danger or enemies.
Words-group analysis:
- "The name of the Lord": This phrase emphasizes that it is God's revealed being—His character, attributes, and power as encapsulated in His sacred Name—that serves as the ultimate source of refuge, not just a physical place or human effort.
- "is a strong tower": This powerful metaphor illustrates that God is an unassailable and impenetrable sanctuary. He provides complete, reliable, and unshakeable protection, much like a formidable, well-defended fortress in ancient times.
- "the righteous run into it": This highlights human response and initiative. It specifies who benefits from this divine refuge—those in a right relationship with God. Their "running" signifies active faith, trust, and seeking refuge with urgency and intent in the face of danger.
- "and are safe": This declares the absolute and unfailing outcome. The protection provided is comprehensive and secure, indicating deliverance, peace, and ultimate well-being for those who take refuge in the Lord.
Proverbs 18 10 Bonus section
- The "Name of the Lord" often acts as a metonymy for God Himself, meaning His presence, power, and glory. To call on His Name or run to His Name is to call upon or run to God Himself.
- This proverb provides a crucial spiritual principle amidst the book's otherwise practical advice, emphasizing the supremacy of spiritual realities over temporal ones.
- The contrast is implicitly drawn between human efforts to build strong defenses (like city walls) and the infinitely greater security found in God.
- The concept of God as a "rock" or "fortress" is pervasive throughout the Psalms and other Old Testament books, reinforcing the idea of divine unchangeableness and steadfast protection.
- The call to "run" is active, indicating that spiritual safety is accessed not through mere intellectual assent, but through an intentional and engaged trust in God.
Proverbs 18 10 Commentary
Proverbs 18:10 is a pivotal verse in the Book of Proverbs, grounding all practical wisdom in divine truth. It teaches that while human endeavors for security (like wealth or influence) may fail, the one unshakeable source of safety is the Lord Himself. His "Name" represents His very person and power—His unchanging, covenantal presence. This refuge is not passive; "the righteous" are called to "run into it," implying an urgent, deliberate, and active act of faith and dependence on God. They are those whose lives are ordered by Him, trusting in His character and adhering to His ways. The promised result is unequivocal: they "are safe," denoting complete and ultimate security, regardless of the external threats or anxieties. This verse serves as a profound reassurance that genuine security is spiritual, anchored in God's immutable nature, accessible through an active, faithful relationship with Him. For example, when faced with overwhelming fear or uncertainty, one finds true calm not by frantically trying to control circumstances, but by consciously turning to God in prayer and trusting His protective power.