Proverbs 2:15 kjv
Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:
Proverbs 2:15 nkjv
Whose ways are crooked, And who are devious in their paths;
Proverbs 2:15 niv
whose paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways.
Proverbs 2:15 esv
men whose paths are crooked, and who are devious in their ways.
Proverbs 2:15 nlt
Their actions are crooked,
and their ways are wrong.
Proverbs 2 15 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 10:9 | "He who walks blamelessly walks securely, but he who is crooked in his ways will be found out." | Crooked ways lead to exposure. |
| Prov 11:3 | "The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them." | Crookedness is self-destructive. |
| Prov 28:6 | "Better is a poor man who walks in his integrity than a rich man who is crooked in his ways." | Integrity preferred over wealth with crookedness. |
| Ps 125:5 | "But those who turn aside to their crooked ways the LORD will lead away with the evildoers!" | Divine judgment on crooked ways. |
| Isa 59:8 | "The way of peace they do not know, and there is no justice in their paths; they have made their paths crooked..." | Crooked paths lead away from peace and justice. |
| Mic 3:9 | "Hear this, you heads of the house of Jacob...who pervert all that is straight," | Leaders who twist what is right. |
| Deut 32:5 | "They have dealt corruptly with him; they are no longer his children because of their blemish; they are a crooked and twisted generation." | Describing Israel's spiritual corruption. |
| Phil 2:15 | "that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation..." | Christians' distinction from a crooked world. |
| Prov 2:12-14 | "...from the way of evil, from men of perverted speech...who rejoice in doing evil and delight in the perverseness of evil," | The context of the crooked described in v. 15. |
| Prov 2:18-19 | "...for her house sinks down to death...none who go to her return, nor do they regain the paths of life." | Consequence: crooked ways lead to death. |
| Matt 7:13-14 | "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction..." | The path to destruction vs. life. |
| Jer 17:10 | "I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways..." | God judges intentions behind actions. |
| Gal 6:7-8 | "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap." | Reaping corruption from crooked sowing. |
| Prov 4:11 | "I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness." | Contrast: Wisdom leads to upright paths. |
| Prov 4:18 | "But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day." | Contrast: Righteous paths lead to light. |
| Ps 23:3 | "He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake." | God leads in righteous paths. |
| Ps 119:105 | "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." | God's Word illuminates the right path. |
| Prov 3:5-6 | "Trust in the LORD with all your heart...In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." | Trusting God makes paths straight. |
| Isa 26:7 | "The path of the righteous is level; you make level the way of the righteous." | God smooths the righteous path. |
| Heb 12:13 | "and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed." | Call to pursue straight living. |
| Rom 12:2 | "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind..." | Mind renewal essential to walk rightly. |
| 2 Pet 2:15 | "They have forsaken the right way and gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam..." | Describing those who abandoned the right path. |
Proverbs 2 verses
Proverbs 2 15 Meaning
Proverbs 2:15 describes individuals who deliberately deviate from what is right and truthful. Their entire manner of life, symbolized by "paths" and "ways," is characterized by distortion, dishonesty, and perversity. They do not merely stumble, but actively choose and cultivate a crooked, winding course that is contrary to integrity and uprightness. This verse highlights their inner disposition of corruption manifested through deceptive conduct.
Proverbs 2 15 Context
Proverbs 2 is a discourse from a father (representing Lady Wisdom or God Himself) to his son, emphasizing the profound benefits of diligently seeking and embracing wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. The chapter details wisdom's ability to protect the individual from various dangers. Verse 15 is part of a crucial section (Prov 2:12-19) that describes the specific types of evil individuals from whom wisdom delivers: the "man of perverted speech" (vv. 12-15) and the "forbidden woman" (vv. 16-19). Verse 15 vividly portrays the character of these perverted men, highlighting their internal moral corruption through the metaphor of crooked and twisted paths. Historically, ancient societies often used the imagery of paths and ways to represent moral conduct and destiny. To be "crooked" was to depart from societal norms of truthfulness and integrity, as well as the divinely ordained way.
Proverbs 2 15 Word analysis
- Whose: From the Hebrew אֲשֶׁר (asher), meaning "who" or "whose." This pronoun connects back to the "man who speaks perversity" mentioned in Proverbs 2:12. It points to a specific characteristic of the evil person.
- Paths: From the Hebrew אֹרְחֹתֵיהֶם (’orchotêhem), from ’orach (אֹרַח). This term refers to roads, routes, or courses of life. It signifies the overall conduct, habits, and trajectory of an individual's life. It's not just a single misstep but the habitual, chosen direction.
- Are crooked: From the Hebrew עִקְּשִׁים (‘iqqəšîm), from the root ‘iqqesh (עקשׁ). This adjective means twisted, distorted, perverse, or warped. It implies an intentional departure from what is straight, just, and morally upright. It's not a deviation by accident, but a nature of moral bending.
- And who are devious in their ways: This translates the Hebrew וּמַעְגְּלֹתֵיהֶם לֹוז (u-maʿgəlōtêhem lôz).
- And: From Hebrew וּ (u), connecting the two parallel phrases.
- Devious: From the Hebrew verb לֹוז (lôz), meaning to turn aside, depart, twist, or bend. It suggests unreliability and a disinclination to follow a direct, righteous course. It conveys the idea of avoiding truth and straightforwardness.
- In their ways: From the Hebrew מַעְגְּלֹתֵיהֶם (maʿgəlōtêhem), from maʿgal (מַעְגָּל). This term refers to tracks, ruts (like wagon tracks), or established circuits. It speaks of the deep-seated habits and customary patterns of life that are followed.
- Words-Group Analysis:
- "Whose paths are crooked": This phrase introduces the fundamental nature of the wicked: their entire course of life is characterized by moral distortion. "Paths" emphasizes their habitual conduct and lifestyle choices, while "crooked" denotes a willful departure from integrity and moral rectitude.
- "and who are devious in their ways": This second phrase is a synonymous parallelism, reinforcing and intensifying the meaning of the first. "Devious" (לֹוז) suggests a deliberate twisting away from the straight course, often implying dishonesty or treachery. "Ways" (tracks, maʿgal) points to their established habits and the ingrained patterns of their moral landscape, which are deeply warped. The combination highlights an all-encompassing moral corruption and a consistent, intentional aversion to what is good and true.
Proverbs 2 15 Bonus section
The doubling of the imagery—"paths are crooked" and "ways are devious/twisted"—is a classic feature of Hebrew poetry (synthetic or synonymous parallelism), which intensifies the meaning rather than simply repeating it. It paints a picture of comprehensive moral deviation. The root luz (לּוּז) for "devious" can also convey a sense of being estranged or departing from one's principles or from truth. This implies a conscious decision to move away from the path of wisdom and righteousness, not merely being unaware of it. It is an active posture of rejection of the divine standard, forming a striking contrast with the "paths of uprightness" (Prov 4:11) that wisdom commends.
Proverbs 2 15 Commentary
Proverbs 2:15 presents a powerful, dual image of the wicked person: their moral disposition and practical actions are fundamentally askew. Their "paths" are not merely veering off but are intrinsically "crooked," signifying a deep-seated perversion of character. This isn't about isolated missteps but a habitual lifestyle marked by ethical deviation. The parallelism, "devious in their ways," underscores this internal corruption; their moral "tracks" are not just off-course but actively twisted and deceptive. These are individuals who operate in deceit, cunning, and an active subversion of truth. The verse serves as a stern warning within the broader wisdom context, urging the hearer to discern and avoid such persons and their ruinous influence, reinforcing the importance of integrity and straightforwardness taught elsewhere in Scripture.
- Example: Think of a river that deliberately avoids its natural course, cutting through land erratically, creating hazards rather than following its banks. This erratic movement disrupts the landscape and causes harm.