Proverbs 6:18 kjv

An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,

Proverbs 6:18 nkjv

A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil,

Proverbs 6:18 niv

a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil,

Proverbs 6:18 esv

a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil,

Proverbs 6:18 nlt

a heart that plots evil,
feet that race to do wrong,

Proverbs 6 verses

Proverbs 6 18 Meaning

Proverbs 6:18 describes two characteristics of an individual whose actions are an abomination to the Lord: a heart that intentionally designs wicked schemes, and feet that are eager to rush into performing those evil acts. This verse highlights the profound spiritual danger of not only conceiving malicious thoughts but also swiftly translating those intentions into harmful deeds. It emphasizes that inner corruption, specifically deliberate planning of sin, is inherently detestable to God and inevitably leads to outward manifestation of evil.

Proverbs 6 18 Context

Proverbs 6:18 is part of a specific list within the book of Proverbs (6:16-19), enumerating "six things the Lord hates, yes, seven which are an abomination to Him." This literary device highlights particularly heinous offenses. The preceding verse (v.17) focuses on internal attitudes like "haughty eyes" and a "lying tongue," and external actions like "hands that shed innocent blood." Verse 18 continues this pattern by indicting both the internal evil intention ("heart that deviseth wicked imaginations") and the swift, eager external action that follows ("feet that be swift in running to mischief"). The overall chapter of Proverbs 6 emphasizes practical wisdom, warning against various pitfalls such as suretyship, laziness, and especially the cunning and destructive ways of the "worthless person" (6:12-15) and the adulterer. This particular verse fits into the broader context of Proverbs which teaches that righteousness stems from a pure heart and manifests in right actions, while wickedness originates from a corrupt inner life leading to destructive behavior. Culturally, this resonated deeply within a society that valued community integrity and the sanctity of life, where deliberate malevolence would unravel the social fabric established on divine principles.

Proverbs 6 18 Word analysis

• An heart (לֵב - lev):

  • Significance: In Hebrew thought, the "heart" is not merely the seat of emotions, but the very core of a person's being—their intellect, will, conscience, and moral character.
  • Usage: It encompasses one's innermost thoughts, intentions, and decision-making faculty.
  • This implies the evil is not accidental but originates from the deep inner self.

• that deviseth (חֹרֵשׁ - ḥōrēš):

  • Significance: Derived from a root meaning "to engrave," "to plow," "to devise," or "to scheme."
  • Usage: It signifies deep, persistent, and deliberate planning or forging. It's not a fleeting thought but a concerted effort of the mind to formulate and perfect a harmful design. It speaks of intentional, careful construction of evil plans.

• wicked imaginations (מַחֲשָׁבוֹת אָוֶן - maḥăšāvôṯ 'āven):

  • Maḥăšāvôṯ: "thoughts," "plans," "designs," "devices."
  • ʼĀven: "wickedness," "iniquity," "mischief," "trouble," "harm." This term carries a strong sense of moral wrong and destructive activity, often implying injustice or calamity.
  • Significance: These are not idle fantasies, but evil plans forged in the heart, specifically aimed at causing trouble or harm. It's a combination signifying maliciously purposed thoughts.

• feet (רַגְלַיִם - raglayim):

  • Significance: Symbolically, feet represent one's walk, conduct, path in life, and active participation in deeds.
  • Usage: In the Bible, movement of feet often represents moral or spiritual direction and behavior (e.g., Ps 1:1).

• that be swift (מְמַהֲרוֹת - məmǎharōṯ):

  • Significance: Meaning "hasty," "quick," "eager."
  • Usage: Conveys alacrity, enthusiasm, and a ready disposition to act. It's not reluctance, but an eagerness to perform the evil.

• in running (לָרוּץ - lārûṣ):

  • Significance: To run, implying haste, urgency, and direct, unhindered movement.
  • Usage: The swiftness implies an uncontrolled and unhesitating movement towards the goal.

• to mischief (לְרָעָה - lərāʿâ):

  • Significance: Meaning "evil," "bad," "calamity," "adversity."
  • Usage: Refers to actions that are morally corrupt and result in harm or suffering to others.
  • Words-group analysis:
    • An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations: This phrase pinpoints the origin of sin in the internal, deliberative process. It reveals that God hates the very act of meticulously planning evil, highlighting the profound moral corruption within the heart that gives rise to such intentions. It speaks to premeditation and malice.
    • feet that be swift in running to mischief: This phrase speaks to the active and eager execution of the evil schemes devised in the heart. It signifies a person not merely capable of doing wrong, but who swiftly and willingly rushes towards committing harmful acts, indicating an intrinsic alignment with wickedness that God abhors.

Proverbs 6 18 Bonus section

This verse implies that human wickedness is not merely a failing of will but can be a dedicated mental pursuit. The strong Hebrew verb ḥōrēš (deviseth) evokes an image of someone industriously at work, meticulously crafting or engraving evil schemes, similar to how an artisan would labor over their craft. This suggests a perversion of God-given creativity and intelligence towards destructive ends. Furthermore, the combination of mental intent (ḥōrēš maḥăšāvôṯ 'āven) and eager physical action (məmǎharōṯ lārûṣ lərāʿâ) forms a powerful couplet of detestable qualities. It emphasizes the concept of intentionality and the swift, unhesitating movement towards perpetrating evil. This swiftness is an active, eager participation, contrasting sharply with reluctance or hesitant involvement, reinforcing the idea of a fully committed heart. In ancient Near Eastern legal and moral codes, premeditation was a key factor in assessing guilt, and this verse aligns with that understanding by highlighting the planned nature of the evil acts that follow.

Proverbs 6 18 Commentary

Proverbs 6:18, as part of the list of seven things God abhors, succinctly portrays the insidious nature of internal and external sin working in tandem. The phrase "a heart that deviseth wicked imaginations" underscores that God’s detestation extends not only to outward actions but to the very wellspring of those actions—the conscious, deliberate formation of malicious thoughts and plans within the human mind. The heart, the core of one's being, is actively constructing harmful designs. This points to the premeditated nature of severe sin, contrasting with actions done impulsively. Such evil plotting is not merely negative; it is an abomination, intensely repugnant to God. Following this internal depravity, the verse describes "feet that be swift in running to mischief." This demonstrates the eagerness and efficiency with which a corrupt heart translates its wicked schemes into physical acts. It's a swift movement, suggesting an almost unstoppable drive toward performing harm, without hesitation or remorse. God despises both the origin (wicked thoughts) and the eager execution (swift feet) of sin, because they reveal a fundamental perversion of His created order and character within the individual. This verse reminds believers to guard their thoughts (Prov 4:23) as carefully as their deeds, recognizing that genuine purity begins from within and that intentional evil, however concealed, is an affront to God.