CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Proverbs 6:28 Can a man walk on hot coals without scorching his feet?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/6-28.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/20_Pro_06_28.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 6:28 - Warnings Against Adultery" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Can a man walk on hot coals without scorching his feet?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/proverbs/6-28.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/proverbs/6-28.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/proverbs/">Proverbs</a> > <a href="/proverbs/6.htm">Chapter 6</a> > Verse 28</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad8.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/proverbs/6-27.htm" title="Proverbs 6:27">◄</a> Proverbs 6:28 <a href="/proverbs/6-29.htm" title="Proverbs 6:29">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/proverbs/6.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/proverbs/6.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/6.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Can he walk on hot coals and not blister his feet?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/6.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Or can one walk on hot coals and his feet not be scorched?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/6.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Can a man walk on hot coals without scorching his feet?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/6.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/6.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Can one walk on hot coals, And his feet not be seared?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/6.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Or can a person walk on hot coals And his feet not be scorched?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/6.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Or can a man walk on hot coals And his feet not be scorched?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/6.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Or can a man walk on hot coals, And his feet not be scorched?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/6.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Or can a man walk on hot coals And his feet not be scorched?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/6.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Or can a man walk on hot coals And his feet not be scorched?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/6.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Can a man walk on burning coals without scorching his feet?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/6.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Can a man walk on burning coals without scorching his feet? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/6.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Or can one walk upon hot coals, And his feet not be scorched?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/6.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />if you step on hot coals, you burn your feet. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/6.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Or can one walk upon hot coals, and his feet not be scorched?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/6.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Can anyone walk on red-hot coals without burning his feet?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/6.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Can you walk on hot coals without burning your feet? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/6.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Can a man walk on hot coals without scorching his feet?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/6.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Can a man walk on hot coals without scorching his feet?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/6.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Can a man walk on hot coals without scorching his feet? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/6.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Or can one walk on hot coals, and his feet not be scorched?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/6.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/6.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Or can one walk on hot coals, and his feet not be scorched? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/6.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Does a man walk on the hot coals, "" And are his feet not scorched?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/6.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Doth a man walk on the hot coals, And are his feet not scorched?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/6.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />If a man shall go upon burning coals shall his feet not be burnt?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/6.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Or can he walk upon hot coals, and his feet not be burnt? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/6.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Or could he walk over burning coals, so that his feet would not be burned?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/6.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Or can a man walk on live coals, and his feet not be scorched? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/6.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Or can one walk on hot coals without scorching the feet?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/6.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Can one walk upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/6.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Or does a man walk upon coals of fire and his feet are unharmed?<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/6.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Or can one walk upon hot coals, And his feet not be scorched?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/6.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />or will any one walk on coals of fire, and not burn his feet?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/6-28.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=1082" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/6.htm">Warnings Against Adultery</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">27</span>Can a man embrace fire and his clothes not be burned? <span class="reftext">28</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/518.htm" title="518: ’im- (Conj) -- If. A primitive particle; used very widely as demonstrative, lo!">Can</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">a man</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: yə·hal·lêḵ (V-Piel-Imperf-3ms) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">walk</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">on</a> <a href="/hebrew/1513.htm" title="1513: hag·ge·ḥā·lîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Coal. Or gacheleth; from an unused root meaning to glow or kindle; an ember.">hot coals</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">without</a> <a href="/hebrew/3554.htm" title="3554: ṯik·kā·we·nāh (V-Nifal-Imperf-3fp) -- To burn, scorch, brand. A primitive root; properly, to prick or penetrate; hence, to blister.">scorching</a> <a href="/hebrew/7272.htm" title="7272: wə·raḡ·lāw (Conj-w:: N-fdc:: 3ms) -- Foot. From ragal; a foot; by implication, a step; by euphem. The pudenda.">his feet?</a> </span><span class="reftext">29</span>So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/6-18.htm">1 Corinthians 6:18</a></span><br />Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a man can commit is outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-28.htm">Matthew 5:28</a></span><br />But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-14.htm">James 1:14-15</a></span><br />But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed. / Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/5-19.htm">Galatians 5:19</a></span><br />The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_thessalonians/4-3.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:3-5</a></span><br />For it is God’s will that you should be holy: You must abstain from sexual immorality; / each of you must know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, / not in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/13-13.htm">Romans 13:13-14</a></span><br />Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. / Instead, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the desires of the flesh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/2-11.htm">1 Peter 2:11</a></span><br />Beloved, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from the desires of the flesh, which war against your soul.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/5-3.htm">Ephesians 5:3</a></span><br />But among you, as is proper among the saints, there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-5.htm">Colossians 3:5</a></span><br />Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/13-4.htm">Hebrews 13:4</a></span><br />Marriage should be honored by all and the marriage bed kept undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/31-9.htm">Job 31:9-12</a></span><br />If my heart has been enticed by my neighbor’s wife, or I have lurked at his door, / then may my own wife grind grain for another, and may other men sleep with her. / For that would be a heinous crime, an iniquity to be judged. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/18-20.htm">Leviticus 18:20</a></span><br />You must not lie carnally with your neighbor’s wife and thus defile yourself with her.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/20-14.htm">Exodus 20:14</a></span><br />You shall not commit adultery.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/5-18.htm">Deuteronomy 5:18</a></span><br />You shall not commit adultery.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/39-7.htm">Genesis 39:7-12</a></span><br />and after some time his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph and said, “Sleep with me.” / But he refused. “Look,” he said to his master’s wife, “with me here, my master does not concern himself with anything in his house, and he has entrusted everything he owns to my care. / No one in this house is greater than I am. He has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. So how could I do such a great evil and sin against God?” ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Can one go on hot coals, and his feet not be burned?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/6-27.htm">Burned</a> <a href="/psalms/140-10.htm">Coals</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-18.htm">Feet</a> <a href="/psalms/119-53.htm">Hot</a> <a href="/psalms/106-18.htm">Lighted</a> <a href="/psalms/102-3.htm">Scorched</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-22.htm">Walk</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/5-1.htm">Burned</a> <a href="/proverbs/25-22.htm">Coals</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-11.htm">Feet</a> <a href="/proverbs/26-21.htm">Hot</a> <a href="/isaiah/9-8.htm">Lighted</a> <a href="/songs/1-6.htm">Scorched</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-20.htm">Walk</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 6</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/6-1.htm">against indebtedness</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/6-6.htm">idleness </a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/6-12.htm">and mischievousness</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/6-16.htm">seven things detestable to God</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/6-20.htm">the blessings of obedience</a></span><br><span class="reftext">25. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/6-25.htm">the mischief of unfaithfulness</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/6.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/proverbs/6.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Can a man walk on hot coals</b><br>This phrase uses a vivid metaphor to illustrate the consequences of engaging in sinful behavior. In ancient cultures, walking on hot coals was sometimes a test of endurance or faith, but here it symbolizes the inevitable pain and damage caused by sin. The imagery is powerful, suggesting that just as it is impossible to walk on hot coals without harm, so too is it impossible to engage in sin without suffering consequences. This aligns with the biblical principle of sowing and reaping, as seen in <a href="/galatians/6-7.htm">Galatians 6:7-8</a>, where actions have inevitable outcomes.<p><b>without scorching his feet?</b><br>The rhetorical question implies an obvious answer: no one can escape the natural consequences of their actions. In the context of <a href="/proverbs/6.htm">Proverbs 6</a>, this is a warning against adultery and other forms of immorality. The "scorching" represents the inevitable pain and destruction that follow such choices. This ties into the broader biblical theme of purity and the call to live a life that honors God, as seen in <a href="/1_thessalonians/4-3.htm">1 Thessalonians 4:3-7</a>. The imagery of feet being scorched also connects to the idea of walking in righteousness versus walking in sin, a common biblical metaphor for one's life path, as seen in <a href="/psalms/1.htm">Psalm 1:1-6</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>Traditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. He compiled these sayings to impart wisdom and moral instruction.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/ancient_israel.htm">Ancient Israel</a></b><br>The cultural and historical context of Proverbs is ancient Israel, where wisdom literature was a key component of teaching and moral guidance.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_foolish_man.htm">The Foolish Man</a></b><br>While not a specific person, the "foolish man" is a recurring character in Proverbs, representing those who ignore wisdom and suffer the consequences.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_inevitability_of_consequences.htm">The Inevitability of Consequences</a></b><br>Just as walking on hot coals will burn one's feet, engaging in sinful behavior will lead to inevitable harm. This verse serves as a stark reminder of the natural consequences of sin.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_wisdom_and_discernment.htm">The Importance of Wisdom and Discernment</a></b><br>Proverbs encourages us to seek wisdom and discernment to avoid the pitfalls of sin. Understanding the consequences of our actions is a key aspect of living a righteous life.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/guarding_against_temptation.htm">Guarding Against Temptation</a></b><br>The metaphor of hot coals can be applied to various temptations in life. We must be vigilant and proactive in avoiding situations that could lead us into sin.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_personal_responsibility.htm">The Role of Personal Responsibility</a></b><br>This verse highlights personal responsibility in our actions. We are accountable for the choices we make and must be mindful of the paths we choose to walk.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_6.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 6</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_should_few_aspire_to_be_teachers.htm">What does 'Fire in My Bosom but Not Burned' mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_colonialism_and_imperialism_differ.htm">What makes a righteous man's prayer powerful and effective?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_proverbs_6_20-35_focus_on_adultery.htm">Why does Proverbs 6:20-35 focus so intensely on adultery and lust but offer little instruction on other pressing moral or societal issues?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_sexual_temptation.htm">What does the Bible say about sexual temptation?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/6.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 28.</span> - Can one go upon hot coals, etc.? The repeated question is introduced by gin, "if," here equivalent to the Latin an, used in double questions, as in <a href="/genesis/24-21.htm">Genesis 24:21</a>; <a href="/exodus/17-7.htm">Exodus 17:7</a>; <a href="/judges/9-2.htm">Judges 9:2</a>, etc. Go; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> <span class="accented">walk upon hot coals</span> (Hebrew, <span class="accented">al-haggekalim</span>); literally, <span class="accented">upon the hot coals.</span> The Hebrew <span class="accented">gakheleth</span> is coals thoroughly ignited, as in <a href="/leviticus/16-12.htm">Leviticus 16:12</a> and <a href="/proverbs/25-22.htm">Proverbs 25:22</a>; different from <span class="accented">pekham</span> of <a href="/proverbs/26-21.htm">Proverbs 26:21</a>, which is "a black coal," or, as Gesenius explains, charcoal unkindled. <span class="cmt_word">Be burned</span>; Hebrew, <span class="accented">tikkaveynah</span>; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> be burned or scorched so as to leave a mark by burning, as in <a href="/isaiah/43-2.htm">Isaiah 43:2</a>; this being the force of the verb <span class="accented">kavah</span>. The flames of lust will certainly be visited with punishment, and with the stings of conscience. Job, speaking on this very subject, says a deviation from the paths of virtue "is a fire that consumeth to destruction." And to him who gives way to adultery it may be said, in the words of Horace, though with a different application from that in which they were used by that poet, "incedis per ignes suppositos cineri doloso." "You are walking over fire that lies hidden under deceitful ashes" (Gejerus). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/6-28.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Can</span><br /><span class="heb">אִם־</span> <span class="translit">(’im-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_518.htm">Strong's 518: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a man</span><br /><span class="heb">אִ֭ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">walk</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהַלֵּ֣ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(yə·hal·lêḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, come, walk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">on</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">hot coals</span><br /><span class="heb">הַגֶּחָלִ֑ים</span> <span class="translit">(hag·ge·ḥā·lîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1513.htm">Strong's 1513: </a> </span><span class="str2">An ember</span><br /><br /><span class="word">without</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">scorching</span><br /><span class="heb">תִכָּוֶֽינָה׃</span> <span class="translit">(ṯik·kā·we·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3554.htm">Strong's 3554: </a> </span><span class="str2">To burn, scorch, brand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his feet?</span><br /><span class="heb">וְ֝רַגְלָ֗יו</span> <span class="translit">(wə·raḡ·lāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - fdc | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7272.htm">Strong's 7272: </a> </span><span class="str2">A foot, a step, the pudenda</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/6-28.htm">Proverbs 6:28 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/6-28.htm">Proverbs 6:28 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/6-28.htm">Proverbs 6:28 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/6-28.htm">Proverbs 6:28 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/6-28.htm">Proverbs 6:28 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/6-28.htm">Proverbs 6:28 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/6-28.htm">Proverbs 6:28 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/6-28.htm">Proverbs 6:28 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/6-28.htm">Proverbs 6:28 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/6-28.htm">Proverbs 6:28 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/6-28.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 6:28 Or can one walk on hot coals (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/6-27.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 6:27"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 6:27" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/6-29.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 6:29"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 6:29" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>