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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/proverbs/5.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/5.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />For your ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all your paths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/5.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />For the LORD sees clearly what a man does, examining every path he takes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/5.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the LORD, and he ponders all his paths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the LORD, and the LORD examines all his paths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/5.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For the ways of man <i>are</i> before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/5.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />For the ways of man <i>are</i> before the eyes of the LORD, And He ponders all his paths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />For the ways of everyone are before the eyes of the LORD, And He observes all his paths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/5.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />For the ways of a man are before the eyes of the LORD, And He watches all his paths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />For the ways of a man are before the eyes of the LORD, And He watches all his paths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />For the ways of a man are before the eyes of Yahweh, And He watches all his tracks.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />For the ways of man are directly before the eyes of the LORD, And He carefully watches all of his paths [all of his comings and goings].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For a man’s ways are before the LORD’s eyes, and he considers all his paths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For a man&#8217s ways are before the LORD&#8217s eyes, and He considers all his paths. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/5.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For the ways of man are before the eyes of Jehovah; And he maketh level all his paths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The LORD sees everything, and he watches us closely. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/5.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he maketh level all his paths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Each person's ways are clearly seen by the LORD, and he surveys all his actions.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/5.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The LORD sees everything you do. Wherever you go, he is watching. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/5.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Indeed, what a man does is always in the LORD's presence, and he weighs all his paths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />For a man?s ways are before the eyes of the LORD, and the LORD examines all his paths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/5.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />For the ways of a person are in front of the LORD's eyes, and the LORD weighs all that person's paths. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD. He examines all his paths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/5.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For the ways of man are before Yahweh’s eyes. He examines all his paths. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />For the ways of each are before the eyes of YHWH, "" And He is pondering all his paths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> For over-against the eyes of Jehovah are the ways of each, And all his paths He is pondering.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For before the eyes of Jehovah are the ways of man, and he makes level all his tracks.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The Lord beholdeth the ways of man, and considereth all his steps. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />The Lord beholds the ways of man, and he considers all his steps.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/5.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Indeed, the ways of each person are plain to the LORD’s sight; all their paths he surveys; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />For human ways are under the eyes of the LORD, and he examines all their paths.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and all his paths lie open in his presence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/5.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Because the ways of a man are in front of LORD JEHOVAH and all his paths are open before him.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/5.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, And He maketh even all his paths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/5.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />For the ways of a man are before the eyes of God, and he looks on all his paths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/5-21.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=883" 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/5.htm">Avoiding Immorality</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">20</span>Why be captivated, my son, by an adulteress, or embrace the bosom of a stranger? <span class="reftext">21</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">For</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’s</a> <a href="/hebrew/1870.htm" title="1870: dar·ḵê- (N-cpc) -- Way, road, distance, journey, manner. From darak; a road; figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb.">ways</a> <a href="/hebrew/5227.htm" title="5227: nō·ḵaḥ (Prep) -- From the same as nekach; properly, the front part; used adverbially, opposite, in front of, forward, in behalf of.">are before</a> <a href="/hebrew/5869.htm" title="5869: ‘ê·nê (N-cdc) -- An eye. Probably a primitive word; an eye; by analogy, a fountain.">the eyes</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">of the LORD,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6424.htm" title="6424: mə·p̄al·lês (V-Piel-Prtcpl-ms) -- To weigh, make level. A primitive root; properly, to roll flat, i.e. Prepare; also to revolve, i.e. Weigh.">and the LORD examines</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: wə·ḵāl (Conj-w:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">all</a> <a href="/hebrew/4570.htm" title="4570: ma‘·gə·lō·ṯāw (N-fpc:: 3ms) -- An entrenchment, track. Or feminine mapgalah; from the same as agol; a track; also a rampart.">his paths.</a> </span><span class="reftext">22</span>The iniquities of a wicked man entrap him; the cords of his sin entangle him.…<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="/hebrews/4-13.htm">Hebrews 4:13</a></span><br />Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight; everything is uncovered and exposed before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/139-1.htm">Psalm 139:1-4</a></span><br />For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. O LORD, You have searched me and known me. / You know when I sit and when I rise; You understand my thoughts from afar. / You search out my path and my lying down; You are aware of all my ways. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/16-17.htm">Jeremiah 16:17</a></span><br />For My eyes are on all their ways. They are not hidden from My face, and their guilt is not concealed from My eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/34-21.htm">Job 34:21</a></span><br />For His eyes are on the ways of a man, and He sees his every step.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/16-9.htm">2 Chronicles 16:9</a></span><br />For the eyes of the LORD roam to and fro over all the earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are fully devoted to Him. You have acted foolishly in this matter. From now on, therefore, you will be at war.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/33-13.htm">Psalm 33:13-15</a></span><br />The LORD looks down from heaven; He sees all the sons of men. / From His dwelling place He gazes on all who inhabit the earth. / He shapes the hearts of each; He considers all their works.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/23-24.htm">Jeremiah 23:24</a></span><br />“Can a man hide in secret places where I cannot see him?” declares the LORD. “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/15-3.htm">Proverbs 15:3</a></span><br />The eyes of the LORD are in every place, observing the evil and the good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/10-30.htm">Matthew 10:30</a></span><br />And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/11-4.htm">Psalm 11:4</a></span><br />The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD is on His heavenly throne. His eyes are watching closely; they examine the sons of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/16-7.htm">1 Samuel 16:7</a></span><br />But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/12-2.htm">Luke 12:2-3</a></span><br />There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, and nothing hidden that will not be made known. / What you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the housetops.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/2-16.htm">Romans 2:16</a></span><br />on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Christ Jesus, as proclaimed by my gospel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/12-14.htm">Ecclesiastes 12:14</a></span><br />For God will bring every deed into judgment, along with every hidden thing, whether good or evil.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/4-5.htm">1 Corinthians 4:5</a></span><br />Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he ponders all his goings.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/15-3.htm">Proverbs 15:3</a></b></br> The eyes of the LORD <i>are</i> in every place, beholding the evil and the good.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/16-9.htm">2 Chronicles 16:9</a></b></br> For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of <i>them</i> whose heart <i>is</i> perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/31-4.htm">Job 31:4</a></b></br> Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps?</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/11-5.htm">Examines</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-25.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-11.htm">Full</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-17.htm">Goings</a> <a href="/proverbs/4-26.htm">Level</a> <a href="/proverbs/2-16.htm">Maketh</a> <a href="/psalms/23-5.htm">Over-Against</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-6.htm">Paths</a> <a href="/psalms/78-50.htm">Pondereth</a> <a href="/acts/10-19.htm">Pondering</a> <a href="/psalms/147-3.htm">Puts</a> <a href="/psalms/26-2.htm">Scales</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-17.htm">View</a> <a href="/psalms/146-9.htm">Watches</a> <a href="/proverbs/5-6.htm">Ways</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/18-17.htm">Examines</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-4.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-18.htm">Full</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-24.htm">Goings</a> <a href="/isaiah/26-7.htm">Level</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-13.htm">Maketh</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-30.htm">Over-Against</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-25.htm">Paths</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-2.htm">Pondereth</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-2.htm">Pondering</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-5.htm">Puts</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-1.htm">Scales</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-24.htm">View</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-17.htm">Watches</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-6.htm">Ways</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 5</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/5-1.htm">Solomon exhorts to wisdom</a></span><br><span class="reftext">3. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/5-3.htm">He shows the mischief of unfaithfulness and riot</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/5-15.htm">He exhorts to contentedness, generosity, and chastity</a></span><br><span class="reftext">22. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/5-22.htm">The wicked are overtaken with their own sins</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/5.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/5.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the LORD</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the omniscience of God, a theme prevalent throughout the Bible. The idea that God sees all human actions is echoed in passages like <a href="/psalms/139.htm">Psalm 139:1-4</a>, where David acknowledges that God knows every movement and thought. In the ancient Near Eastern context, this understanding of a deity's omnipresence was unique to the Israelites, contrasting with the localized gods of surrounding cultures. The phrase also serves as a moral reminder that nothing is hidden from God, encouraging believers to live righteously. This aligns with the wisdom literature's focus on living a life that honors God, as seen in <a href="/ecclesiastes/12-14.htm">Ecclesiastes 12:14</a>, which states that God will bring every deed into judgment.<p><b>and the LORD examines all his paths</b><br>The term "examines" suggests a thorough and discerning observation, indicating that God not only sees but also evaluates human actions. This reflects the biblical theme of divine judgment, where God assesses the moral quality of human behavior. The concept of "paths" symbolizes the choices and directions one takes in life, a common metaphor in Proverbs. This examination is not merely punitive but also protective, as seen in <a href="/psalms/23-3.htm">Psalm 23:3</a>, where God leads in paths of righteousness. Theologically, this underscores God's role as both judge and shepherd, guiding and correcting His people. The phrase also foreshadows the New Testament teaching of Christ as the way (<a href="/john/14-6.htm">John 14:6</a>), where Jesus embodies the path to righteousness and eternal life.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a></b><br>The covenant name of God, emphasizing His eternal presence and omniscience. In this verse, the LORD is portrayed as the all-seeing and all-knowing God who observes human actions.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/a_man.htm">A Man</a></b><br>Represents humanity in general. The verse speaks to every individual, highlighting personal accountability before God.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/p/paths/ways.htm">Paths/Ways</a></b><br>Symbolic of the choices and actions a person takes in life. The verse underscores that these are under divine scrutiny.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_omniscience.htm">God's Omniscience</a></b><br>Recognize that God sees and knows everything about our lives. This awareness should lead us to live with integrity and accountability.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/personal_accountability.htm">Personal Accountability</a></b><br>Understand that our actions are not hidden from God. This should encourage us to make choices that honor Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_righteous_living.htm">The Importance of Righteous Living</a></b><br>Since God examines all our paths, we should strive to walk in righteousness and avoid paths that lead to sin.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/encouragement_in_god's_watchfulness.htm">Encouragement in God's Watchfulness</a></b><br>God's constant watch over us is not only for judgment but also for guidance and protection. Trust in His oversight as a source of comfort.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/reflecting_on_our_paths.htm">Reflecting on Our Paths</a></b><br>Regularly evaluate the paths you are taking in life. Are they aligned with God's will and purpose for you?<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_5.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 5</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_god's_prediction_negate_free_will.htm">Does God’s prediction of Israel’s rebellion (Deut. 31:16) conflict with the principle of free will, implying a predetermined outcome? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_there_proof_of_an_omniscient_observer.htm">Proverbs 5:21: If God truly sees every action, what empirical or scientific basis exists to support the notion of an omniscient observer?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what's_ekron's_role_in_the_bible.htm">What does Proverbs 3:6 mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_excel_in_everything_we_do.htm">Where can wise counsel be found?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/5.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(21) <span class= "bld">For the ways of man </span>. . .--Another reason for avoiding sin is the certainty of detection by the Judge, whose "eyes run to and fro through the whole earth" (<a href="/2_chronicles/16-9.htm" title="For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein you have done foolishly: therefore from now on you shall have wars.">2Chronicles 16:9</a>), comp. <a href="/psalms/11-4.htm" title="The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD's throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.">Psalm 11:4</a>.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 21.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord.</span> The obvious meaning here is that as "the eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good" (<a href="/proverbs/15-3.htm">Proverbs 15:3</a>), there is no possibility of any act of immorality escaping God's notice. The consciousness of this fact is to be the restraining motive, inasmuch as he who sees will also punish every transgression. The great truth acknowledged here is the omniscience of God, a truth which is borne witness to in almost identical language in Job: "For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings" (<a href="/job/34-21.htm">Job 34:21</a>; cf. 24:23 and Job 31:4). So Hanani the seer says to Asa King of Judah, "For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth" (<a href="/2_chronicles/16-9.htm">2 Chronicles 16:9</a>); and Jehovah says, in Jeremiah, "For mine eyes are upon all their ways, they are not hid from my face, neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes" (<a href="/jeremiah/16-17.htm">Jeremiah 16:17</a>; cf. 32:29); and again, in Hosea, "They are before my face" (<a href="/hosea/7-2.htm">Hosea 7:2</a>), and the same truth is re-echoed in the Epistle to the Hebrews, in all probability gathered from our passage, "All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do" (<a href="/hebrews/4-13.htm">Hebrews 4:13</a>)<span class="accented">. The ways of man</span>; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> the conduct of any individual man or woman; <span class="accented">ish</span>, "man," being used generically. <span class="accented">Are before the eyes of the Lord</span>; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> are an object on which Jehovah fixes his gaze and scrutiny. And he pondereth all his goings. The word "he pondereth" is in the original <span class="accented">m'phalles</span>, the piel participle <span class="accented">of philles</span>, piel of the unused kal, <span class="accented">palas</span>, and appears to be properly rendered in the Authorized Version. This verb, however, has various meanings: <p><span class="note_emph">(1)</span> to make level, or prepare, as in <a href="/proverbs/4-26.htm">Proverbs 4:26</a> and Proverbs 5:6; <p><span class="note_emph">(2)</span> to weigh, or consider accurately, in which sense it is used here. <p>So Gesenius, Lee, Buxtorf, and Davidson. Jehovah not only sees, but weighs all that a man does, wheresoever he be, and will apportion rewards and punishments according to a man's actions (Patrick). The German commentators, Delitzsch and Zockler, however, look upon the word as indicating the overruling providence of God, just as the former part of the verse refers to his omniscience, and render, "he marketh out," in the sense that the Lord makes it possible for a man to walk in the way of uprightness and purity. There is nothing inherently objectionable in this view, since experience shows that the world is regulated by the Divine government, but it loses sight to some extent of the truth upon which the teacher appears to be insisting, which is that evil actions are visited with Divine retribution. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/5-21.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">For</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֤י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a man’s</span><br /><span class="heb">אִ֑ישׁ</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">ways</span><br /><span class="heb">דַּרְכֵי־</span> <span class="translit">(dar·ḵê-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1870.htm">Strong's 1870: </a> </span><span class="str2">A road, a course of life, mode of action</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are before</span><br /><span class="heb">נֹ֨כַח ׀</span> <span class="translit">(nō·ḵaḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5227.htm">Strong's 5227: </a> </span><span class="str2">The front part, opposite, in front of, forward, in behalf of</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the eyes</span><br /><span class="heb">עֵינֵ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(‘ê·nê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - cdc<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5869.htm">Strong's 5869: </a> </span><span class="str2">An eye, a fountain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the LORD,</span><br /><span class="heb">יְ֭הוָה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3069.htm">Strong's 3069: </a> </span><span class="str2">YHWH</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and [the Lord] watches</span><br /><span class="heb">מְפַלֵּֽס׃</span> <span class="translit">(mə·p̄al·lês)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6424.htm">Strong's 6424: </a> </span><span class="str2">To roll flat, prepare, to revolve, weigh</span><br /><br /><span class="word">all</span><br /><span class="heb">וְֽכָל־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḵāl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">his paths.</span><br /><span class="heb">מַעְגְּלֹתָ֥יו</span> <span class="translit">(ma‘·gə·lō·ṯāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4570.htm">Strong's 4570: </a> </span><span class="str2">An entrenchment, track</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/5-21.htm">Proverbs 5:21 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/5-21.htm">Proverbs 5:21 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/5-21.htm">Proverbs 5:21 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/5-21.htm">Proverbs 5:21 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/5-21.htm">Proverbs 5:21 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/5-21.htm">Proverbs 5:21 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/5-21.htm">Proverbs 5:21 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/5-21.htm">Proverbs 5:21 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/5-21.htm">Proverbs 5:21 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/5-21.htm">Proverbs 5:21 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/5-21.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 5:21 For the ways of man are before (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/5-20.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 5:20"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 5:20" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/5-22.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 5:22"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 5:22" /></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>