Proverbs 3:23 kjv
Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
Proverbs 3:23 nkjv
Then you will walk safely in your way, And your foot will not stumble.
Proverbs 3:23 niv
Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble.
Proverbs 3:23 esv
Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble.
Proverbs 3:23 nlt
They keep you safe on your way,
and your feet will not stumble.
Proverbs 3 23 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Psa 23:4 | Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear.. | God's presence brings security amidst danger. |
| Psa 37:23-24 | The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his.. | Lord orders steps, preventing complete fall. |
| Psa 121:3 | He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not... | God preserves the stability of one's walk. |
| Psa 91:11-12 | For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. | Angels protect from stumbling in all paths. |
| Prov 1:33 | But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from.. | Heeding wisdom brings safety and peace. |
| Prov 2:7-8 | He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that.. | Wisdom protects and preserves the upright path. |
| Prov 4:10-12 | Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall... | Wisdom's path is wide and prevents stumbling. |
| Prov 6:22 | When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee. | Wisdom guides daily steps and guards sleep. |
| Prov 10:9 | He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways.. | Upright walking leads to secure progression. |
| Deut 28:6 | Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when.. | Obedience brings blessings on entry and exit. |
| Jos 1:7 | Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do.. | Obeying law ensures prosperity and success. |
| Isa 40:31 | But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall.. | Trusting God allows walking without weariness. |
| Jer 10:23 | O Lord, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man.. | Man's steps need divine guidance. |
| Jn 8:12 | Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he.. | Following Christ prevents walking in darkness/stumbling. |
| 1 Jn 2:10 | He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none.. | Living in love prevents stumbling blocks. |
| Jude 1:24 | Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you.. | God's power preserves from ultimate falling. |
| Rom 13:13 | Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not.. | Honest conduct prevents moral stumbling. |
| Ps 119:105 | Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. | God's Word illuminates and prevents stumbling. |
| Ps 32:8 | I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I.. | God instructs and guides the proper path. |
| Prov 3:5-6 | Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own.. | Trusting God makes paths straight and prevents deviation. |
| Psa 16:8 | I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand.. | Keeping God before one prevents being moved. |
| 2 Pet 1:10 | Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and.. | Diligence in faith ensures never stumbling. |
| Psa 37:31 | The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide. | Obedience from heart keeps steps from sliding. |
Proverbs 3 verses
Proverbs 3 23 Meaning
Proverbs 3:23 promises that when one adheres to the instructions of wisdom and discernment, they will navigate life's journey with confidence and security, avoiding catastrophic moral, spiritual, or existential falls. It speaks to divine protection and guidance for the life of an obedient believer, ensuring stability and a clear path free from significant pitfalls, which are the consequence of living by God's established order.
Proverbs 3 23 Context
Proverbs chapter 3 is a fervent paternal exhortation from a father, presumably King Solomon, to his son, emphasizing the supreme value and practical benefits of adhering to divine wisdom and trust in the Lord. Verse 23 follows a call to "let not [wisdom and discretion] depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion" (v. 21). The benefits promised in verse 23 ("then shalt thou walk...safely...") are contingent upon the diligent pursuit and retention of this wisdom, which the father portrays as life-giving (v. 22). The broader context of Proverbs is about training individuals in the fear of the Lord (Prov 1:7) as the foundation for navigating life successfully, morally, and spiritually, avoiding pitfalls and finding favor with God and man.
Proverbs 3 23 Word analysis
- Then (וְאָז, wə’āz): This conjunction signifies a direct consequence. It implies a causal relationship: if the preceding instructions (regarding wisdom and discretion in vv. 21-22) are followed, then the promised benefits will naturally ensue.
- shalt thou walk (תֵּלֵךְ, tēleḵ): Derived from the verb הָלַךְ (hālak), "to walk." In Hebrew thought, "walking" often represents one's manner of life, conduct, or general course of action. It implies a journey through life, both physically and morally.
- in thy way (בְדַרְכְּךָ, bədarkəḵā): The Hebrew word דֶּרֶךְ (dereḵ) means "way," "path," "road," but fundamentally refers to one's course of action, behavior, or direction in life. It emphasizes the trajectory and conduct of one's entire existence, not just a literal journey.
- safely (לָבֶטַח, lāḇeṭaḥ): Derived from the root בטח (bāṭaḥ), which means "to trust" or "to be confident." This signifies security, freedom from anxiety or fear, assurance, and confidence. It's not just physical safety but an inner sense of peace and assurance derived from trust in God and adherence to His ways.
- and thy foot (וְרַגְלְךָ, wərāḡləḵā): "Foot" is regel in Hebrew. While literal, it symbolizes one's movement, progress, and stability. It often represents a concrete manifestation of one's path or course.
- shall not stumble (לֹא תִגּוֹף, lo’ tiggōf): The verb נָגַף (nāḡaf) means "to strike," "to hit," "to injure," or "to stumble/fall." Here, it indicates not losing one's footing, not meeting with disaster, or not suffering a moral or spiritual fall that would hinder one's progress. It speaks of preservation from serious mishaps or debilitating failures.
- shalt thou walk in thy way safely: This phrase conveys a holistic sense of security. It means one's entire life course will be marked by confidence, peace, and freedom from danger or debilitating fear. It suggests God's providential care over every aspect of one's life as long as His wisdom is embraced. This security stems from a relationship of trust (bāṭaḥ) with God.
- and thy foot shall not stumble: This is a concrete promise complementing the previous phrase. It reinforces the idea that one's journey will be stable. "Stumbling" encompasses not just physical falls but also moral lapses, errors in judgment, or significant setbacks that could derail one's life or testimony. It implies divine preservation from fatal errors or incapacitating hardships along the journey of life.
Proverbs 3 23 Bonus section
The safety promised in this verse is not merely the absence of danger, but the active presence of God's peace and guiding hand. It's an outcome of abiding faith (trust, bāṭaḥ from 'safely') in the Lord, as laid out in the preceding verses of Proverbs 3 (vv. 5-6). While trials may still come, the underlying promise is that those who embrace wisdom will not ultimately be undone or lose their spiritual footing, because their foundation is secure in God. The imagery encourages steadfastness, knowing that God himself oversees and directs the paths of His devoted ones.
Proverbs 3 23 Commentary
Proverbs 3:23 succinctly presents the blessed outcome for those who prioritize and embody God's wisdom and discretion. It underscores a fundamental biblical truth: walking in conformity with God's principles brings profound stability and security. The "way" refers to the comprehensive path of life—choices, relationships, career, spiritual walk—all governed by divine insight. To "walk safely" implies an inner peace and freedom from worry that transcends external circumstances, a confidence rooted in God's guardianship. The assurance that one's "foot shall not stumble" speaks not of an absence of all difficulty, but of preservation from ruinous falls, moral compromises, or being completely overthrown by life's challenges. It highlights God's faithful hand upholding the obedient, guiding their steps, and protecting their integrity, ensuring progress without ultimately succumbing to the traps of folly or wickedness.