But the way of the wicked
The "way" in biblical terms often refers to one's lifestyle or path in life. In the context of Proverbs, the "wicked" are those who live in opposition to God's commandments and wisdom. This phrase sets up a contrast with the path of the righteous, which is illuminated by God's truth. The wicked choose a path that leads away from God, aligning with the broader biblical theme of two divergent paths: one leading to life and the other to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14).

is like the darkest gloom;
The imagery of "darkest gloom" conveys a sense of deep spiritual blindness and confusion. In biblical times, darkness was often associated with chaos, evil, and judgment. This phrase suggests that the wicked are enveloped in a spiritual darkness that obscures their understanding and leads them further from the light of God's truth. This aligns with passages such as John 3:19-20, where people love darkness rather than light because their deeds are evil.

they do not know what makes them stumble.
This phrase highlights the ignorance and self-deception of the wicked. They are unaware of the true cause of their downfall, which is their rejection of God's wisdom and guidance. This lack of awareness is a common theme in Scripture, where spiritual blindness prevents individuals from recognizing their need for repentance and salvation. It echoes the warning in Isaiah 59:10, where people grope along a wall like the blind, unable to find their way. This also points to the necessity of divine intervention for enlightenment, as seen in the ministry of Jesus, who came to open the eyes of the blind (Luke 4:18).

1. Solomon
- Traditionally considered the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. He wrote Proverbs to impart wisdom and understanding.

2. The Wicked
- This term refers to those who live in opposition to God's ways, often characterized by moral corruption and spiritual blindness.

3. The Path of Darkness
- A metaphorical description of the life and choices of the wicked, symbolizing confusion, danger, and lack of direction.The Consequences of Wickedness
The path of the wicked leads to confusion and stumbling. Living apart from God's wisdom results in spiritual blindness and moral failure.

The Importance of Spiritual Light
Just as physical light guides our steps, spiritual light—God's Word—illuminates our path and prevents us from stumbling.

The Call to Discernment
Believers are called to discern the paths they choose, ensuring they align with God's wisdom rather than the darkness of the world.

The Role of God's Word
Scripture serves as a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, guiding us away from the pitfalls of wickedness.

The Urgency of Repentance
Those who find themselves on the path of darkness are urged to repent and seek the light of Christ, who offers clarity and direction.(19) The way of the wicked is as darkness.--By refusing to "walk in the light" of God's Word, and conscience (1John 1:7), the light that was in them has become darkness (Matthew 6:23); they know not whither they are going (John 12:35), and stumble (Proverbs 11:10) over difficulties which in the light they might have avoided.

Verse 19. - The way of the wicked is as darkness. In contrast with the path of the just is the way of the wicked, which is described as darkness itself: i.e. so deeply enveloped in gloom that the wicked are not able even to see the obstacles and impediments against which they stumble, and which are the cause of their ruin. It is a way dark throughout - a via tenebrosa (Vulgate) - terminating at length in "the blackness of darkness." As light is emblematical of knowledge, holiness, and joy, so darkness represents ignorance, unholiness, and misery (see Isaiah 8:22). Darkness (aphelah); strictly, thick darkness, midnight gloom, the entire absence of light. It is the word used of the plague of "thick darkness" that settled over all the land of Egypt, even a darkness that "might be felt," when the Egyptians "saw not one another, nor any arose from his place for three days" (Exodus 10:21-23). It occurs again in ch. 7:9, "in the black and dark night." In this darkness the wicked cannot help but stumble. Compare our Lord's teaching, "But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him" (John 11:10; cf. 12:36). The expression, they know not at what they stumble, carries with it the idea that they are so ignorant that they neither know wickedness as wickedness, nor do they apprehend the destruction which it involves. "Sins, however great and detestable they may be, are looked upon as trivial, or as not sins at all, when men get accustomed to them" (St. Augustine, 'Enchiridion,' cap. 80). On "stumble" (kashal), see ver. 12; and on the destruction of the wicked implied in the stumbling, see Proverbs 1:27, seq., 2:18-22; 3:35.

Parallel Commentaries ...


But the way
דֶּ֣רֶךְ (de·reḵ)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

of the wicked
רְ֭שָׁעִים (rə·šā·‘îm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 7563: Wrong, an, bad person

is like the darkest gloom;
כָּֽאֲפֵלָ֑ה (kā·’ă·p̄ê·lāh)
Preposition-k, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 653: Duskiness, misfortune, concealment

they do not
לֹ֥א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

know
יָ֝דְע֗וּ (yā·ḏə·‘ū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3045: To know

what
בַּמֶּ֥ה (bam·meh)
Preposition-b | Interrogative
Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what

makes them stumble.
יִכָּשֵֽׁלוּ׃ (yik·kā·šê·lū)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3782: To totter, waver, to falter, stumble, faint, fall


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 4:19 The way of the wicked is like (Prov. Pro Pr)