Proverbs 8:20
in Proverbs 8I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice,
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
I walk in the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of justice;
KJV
I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:
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This verse in Proverbs 8
Commentary
6 notes on this verseThe redeemer is the eternal Word and wisdom, the Logos. He is the Wisdom that speaks to the children of men in the former part of the chapter. All divine revelation passes through his hand, and centres in him; but of him as the personal Wisdom, the second person in the Godhead, in the judgment of many of the ancients, Solomon here speaks,
This site's exposition
those who seek me early shall find me
on Proverbs 8:17-21
“I love those who love me, and those who seek me early shall find me” gives wisdom a covenant shape. Her riches are qualified twice, “enduring wealth and righteousness” and “better than gold,” set against the warning about wealth that “makes wings for itself” (23:5).
This site's exposition
I walk in the way of righteousness
Wisdom walks the way of righteousness and the paths of justice, the opposite road to the paths of the adulteress in 7:25. Barnes calls this chapter a companion picture to chapter 7, a choice between two voices. The gifts of verse 21 lie along her road.
The record, by era
The Puritans and the Awakening2 voices
I lead in the way of righteousness,....
This is that fruit of wisdom which is better than gold, than fine gold, it leads us in the way of righteousness, shows us that way and goes before us in it, the way that God would have us walk in and which will certainly bring us to our desired end. It leads in the midst of the paths of judgment, and saves us from deviating on either hand.
The Nineteenth Century1 voice
I lead in the way of righteousness - Nothing but the teaching that comes from God by his word and Spirit can do this.
The words behind it
6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| בְּאֹֽרַח־ | beorach- | in [the] path of | H734 → | 58 times |
| צְדָקָ֥ה | tzedakah | righteousness | H6666 → | 157 times |
| אֲהַלֵּ֑ך | ʾahalekh | I walk | H1980 → | 1546 times |
| בְּ֝ת֗וֹךְ | betokh | in [the] midst of | H8432 → | 418 times |
| נְתִיב֥וֹת | netivot | [the] pathways of | H5410 → | 26 times |
| מִשְׁפָּֽט׃ | mishpat | justice | H4941 → | 422 times |
בְּאֹֽרַח־in [the] path of
beorach-H734 →58 times
צְדָקָ֥הrighteousness
tzedakahH6666 →157 times
אֲהַלֵּ֑ךI walk
ʾahalekhH1980 →1546 times
בְּ֝ת֗וֹךְin [the] midst of
betokhH8432 →418 times
נְתִיב֥וֹת[the] pathways of
netivotH5410 →26 times
מִשְׁפָּֽט׃justice
mishpatH4941 →422 times
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 32:8I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will give you counsel and watch over you.
it leads to
- Proverbs 3:5–6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;
- Psalms 33:18
Surely the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His loving devotion
- Psalms 25:8–10
Good and upright is the LORD; therefore He shows sinners the way.
- Matthew 11:29
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
- Proverbs 8:10–11
Receive my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold.
- Proverbs 3:5–6
Through
Deuteronomy 5:32So be careful to do as the LORD your God has commanded you; you are not to turn aside to the right or to the left.
it leads to
- Proverbs 4:27
Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your feet away from evil.
- Joshua 23:6
Be very strong, then, so that you can keep and obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, not turning aside from it to the right or to the…
- Proverbs 4:27
Through
Proverbs 6:22When you walk, they will guide you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you.
it leads to
- Psalms 119:11
I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.
- Psalms 119:11
Where this verse is studied
On this page
Studies4
On this verse
On this chapter
About Proverbs
This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Charles Bridges, An Exposition of the Book of Proverbs; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament (1748-1763) and Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible.