Proverbs 3:23
in Proverbs 3Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble.
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
Then shalt thou walk in thy way securely, And thy foot shall not stumble.
KJV
Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
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This verse in Proverbs 3
Commentary
7 notes on this verseBefore the Lord's coming, philosophy was an essential guide to righteousness for the Greeks. At the present time, it is a useful guide toward reverence for God. It is a kind of preliminary education for those who are trying to gather faith through demonstration. "Your foot will not stumble," says Scripture, if you attribute good things, whether Greek or Christian, to Providence. God is responsible for all good things: of some directly, like the blessings of the Old and New Covenants, of others indirectly, like the riches of philosophy.
This site's exposition
My son, do not lose sight of this
on Proverbs 3:21-26
“Then you will go on your way in safety” promises security in daily movement. “When you lie down, you will not be afraid” carries it into sleep. The ground of that security is the LORD's keeping: “the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from the snare”.
This site's exposition
your foot will not stumble
Sound judgment keeps the path clear, and the walker goes on his way in safety. Clement of Alexandria quotes the line to teach that every good thing, whether learned from Greeks or from Scripture, comes from God. Psalm 91:12 promises the same sure foot.
The record, by era
The Medieval Church1 voice
Then you will walk confidently in your way. We walk confidently in our way when, trusting in the grace of God, we undertake progress in our good conversation. Therefore, if we humbly submit to His commands, and taste the sweetness of heavenly love with the …
The Puritans and the Awakening3 voices
Then shall thou walk in thy way safely,....
The way of duty is the way of safety. "We are in danger of falling, but wisdom will keep thee, that thy foot shall not stumble at those things which are an offence and overthrow to many, but which thou shalt know how to get over." (2.) In their rest by night,
We must do all the good we can, and no hurt, to our neighbours, because according as men are just or unjust, charitable or uncharitable, humble or haughty, accordingly they shall receive of God,
The words behind it
7 Hebrew wordsEvery Hebrew word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Hebrew | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| אָ֤ז | ʾaz | then | H227 → | 141 times |
| תֵּלֵ֣ךְ | telekh | you will walk | H1980 → | 1546 times |
| לָבֶ֣טַח | lavetach | to security | H983 → | 42 times |
| דַּרְכֶּ֑ךָ | darkekha | way your | H1870 → | 707 times |
| וְ֝רַגְלְךָ֗ | veraglekha | and foot your | H7272 → | 247 times |
| לֹ֣א | lo' | not | H3808 → | 5168 times |
| תִגּֽוֹף׃ | tigof | it will strike | H5062 → |
אָ֤זthen
ʾazH227 →141 times
תֵּלֵ֣ךְyou will walk
telekhH1980 →1546 times
לָבֶ֣טַחto security
lavetachH983 →42 times
דַּרְכֶּ֑ךָway your
darkekhaH1870 →707 times
וְ֝רַגְלְךָ֗and foot your
veraglekhaH7272 →247 times
לֹ֣אnot
lo'H3808 →5168 times
תִגּֽוֹף׃it will strike
tigofH5062 →
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Psalms 121:3He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber.
it leads to
- Proverbs 3:26
for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from the snare.
- 1 Samuel 2:9
He guards the steps of His faithful ones, but the wicked perish in darkness; for by his own strength shall no man prevail.
- Psalms 91:12
They will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
- Psalms 66:9
He preserves our lives and keeps our feet from slipping.
- Proverbs 3:26
Through
Psalms 121:8The LORD will watch over your coming and going, both now and forevermore.
it leads to
- Deuteronomy 28:6
You will be blessed when you come in and blessed when you go out.
- Proverbs 3:6
in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
- Proverbs 2:8
to guard the paths of justice and protect the way of His saints.
- Psalms 113:2
Blessed be the name of the LORD both now and forevermore.
- Deuteronomy 28:6
Where this verse is studied
About Proverbs
This page draws on Bede, Commentary on Proverbs; Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata Book 1; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament (1748-1763); John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the Old Testament and Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible.