Proverbs 4:19 kjv

The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.

Proverbs 4:19 nkjv

The way of the wicked is like darkness; They do not know what makes them stumble.

Proverbs 4:19 niv

But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.

Proverbs 4:19 esv

The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.

Proverbs 4:19 nlt

But the way of the wicked is like total darkness.
They have no idea what they are stumbling over.

Proverbs 4 verses

Proverbs 4 19 Meaning

Proverbs 4:19 describes the dangerous and destructive path of the wicked. Their way is characterized by "deep darkness," signifying moral and spiritual blindness, a complete lack of understanding regarding the consequences of their actions. Due to this inherent darkness and spiritual insensitivity, they fail to discern the hidden pitfalls and inevitable downfalls that await them, perpetually stumbling without comprehending the cause or nature of their peril. This contrasts sharply with the progressively bright path of the righteous.

Proverbs 4 19 Context

Proverbs Chapter 4 is presented as a father's passionate instruction to his son, emphasizing the supreme importance of acquiring wisdom and understanding. It serves as a pedagogical plea, urging the young listener to heed the wise counsel passed down through generations. Verses 10-19 specifically contrast two distinct "paths" or "ways of life": the "path of the just" (Pro 4:18) and the "way of the wicked" (Pro 4:19). The chapter frames wisdom not just as knowledge, but as a practical guide for daily conduct and moral choices. Verse 19 directly follows verse 18, creating a stark binary opposition: light versus darkness, clarity versus confusion, life versus inevitable stumbling and ruin. The historical context reflects a didactic culture where familial instruction was paramount in shaping character and societal norms.

Proverbs 4 19 Word analysis

• The way (דֶּרֶךְ - derekh):

  • Signifies a "path," "road," or "journey," metaphorically representing a course of life, behavior, or conduct.
  • More than a physical route, it denotes a chosen moral trajectory.
  • Emphasizes the choices one makes in life, determining their spiritual and ethical destination.

• of the wicked (רְשָׁעִים - rəshaʿim):

  • Plural of rasha’, referring to those who are "ungodly," "guilty," "unrighteous," or "criminal."
  • Not merely a descriptive term, but indicates moral guilt before God and others.
  • This term denotes active opposition to God's ways, rather than mere ignorance or neutrality. They deliberately choose to live outside of divine law and wisdom.

• is like deep darkness (כָּאֲפֵלָה - ka'afela):

  • The prefix ka- means "like" or "as."
  • Afelâ signifies "thick darkness," "deep gloom," "obscurity." It is not just the absence of light, but an overwhelming, palpable darkness.
  • Metaphorically, it speaks to spiritual blindness, lack of moral clarity, absence of divine truth, and confusion. It implies a condition where one cannot see the way forward or the dangers inherent in their path.
  • This is distinct from natural darkness; it is a self-imposed or judgment-inflicted spiritual condition.

• they do not know (לֹא יָדְעוּ - lo yad'u):

  • Lo is "not," yad'u is from the verb yada’, meaning "to know," "perceive," "understand," often implying experiential knowledge.
  • Highlights an active state of spiritual ignorance or an inability to comprehend. It’s not just a lack of information, but a moral blindness that prevents true discernment.
  • Their actions are often unwitting consequences of their own dark nature and choice, rather than accidental errors.

• what makes them stumble (בַּמֶּה יִכָּשֵׁלוּ - bammāh yikkāšêlû):

  • Bammah means "in what," "by what," or "why."
  • Yikkashêlu is from kashal, meaning "to stumble," "to fall," "to totter," "to fail." It suggests a tripping or falling, often due to an unseen obstruction.
  • This implies a fatal lack of self-awareness and understanding of the inevitable consequences of their own choices. They fall repeatedly, yet never learn or understand the spiritual forces, moral traps, or divine judgments that cause their downfall. Their darkness ensures they remain perpetually ignorant of their own destruction.

Proverbs 4 19 Bonus section

The concept of "darkness" in biblical thought, particularly in Proverbs, is often more than a metaphor for ignorance. It frequently connotes moral depravity, spiritual death, and divine judgment. In Pro 4:19, the "deep darkness" is active and insidious, not merely passive. It conceals the dangers inherent in their path, ensuring they walk blindly towards their ruin. This darkness is both a symptom of their wickedness and a contributor to their continued stumbling. Their lack of "knowing what makes them stumble" suggests a terrifying absence of self-awareness and divine conviction, rendering repentance or course correction impossible without intervention. This perpetual stumbling leads them further into deeper spiritual bondage.

Proverbs 4 19 Commentary

Proverbs 4:19 serves as a solemn warning, providing a stark contrast to the brilliant trajectory of the righteous described in the preceding verse. The "way of the wicked" is not merely dimly lit but shrouded in "deep darkness," indicating a profound and pervasive spiritual obscurity. This darkness is self-inflicted and deepened by their persistent rejection of wisdom and divine truth.

Unlike the path of the righteous, which becomes brighter with increased knowledge and obedience, the path of the wicked plunges deeper into confusion and moral peril. Their spiritual eyes are blind to the pitfalls, the moral consequences, and the impending judgments that are inextricably linked to their evil choices. They stumble, not necessarily through random misfortune, but through the inherent and inescapable results of their unrighteous living. The verse underscores their tragic state: they are unable to identify the source of their problems because the darkness itself has corrupted their perception and judgment. Their moral compass is broken, and their spiritual understanding is dulled to the point where they cannot recognize what is actively bringing about their downfall. This ignorance is not excusable but a fundamental aspect of their spiritual condemnation, leaving them vulnerable to repeated and ultimately devastating failures. Their ultimate end is self-destruction.