Proverbs 2:15 - The Benefits of Wisdom

whose paths are crooked
The imagery of "crooked paths" is often used in Scripture to describe a life that deviates from God's righteous standards. In biblical times, a straight path symbolized a life of integrity and obedience to God's laws, while a crooked path indicated moral corruption and deceit. This metaphor is consistent with the wisdom literature's emphasis on the importance of following God's commandments (Proverbs 3:5-6). The concept of crooked paths can also be seen in Isaiah 59:8, where the prophet laments the lack of justice and righteousness among the people. The crooked path is a warning against the dangers of straying from God's truth, leading to spiritual and moral ruin.

and whose ways are devious
The term "devious" suggests a deliberate and cunning departure from honesty and truth. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, where community and covenant relationships were paramount, deviousness was particularly destructive. It undermined trust and harmony within the community. The Bible frequently contrasts the devious with the upright, as seen in Proverbs 11:3, which states that the integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. This phrase also echoes the broader biblical theme of the two ways: the way of life and the way of death (Deuteronomy 30:19). The devious way is aligned with the path of sin and separation from God, ultimately leading to judgment. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is presented as the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6), offering a path of redemption and righteousness in contrast to the devious ways of the world.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Solomon
The author of Proverbs, known for his wisdom, who imparts guidance on living a righteous life.

2. The Wicked
Those who choose paths contrary to God's wisdom, characterized by crooked and devious ways.

3. The Path
A metaphor for the course of one's life, representing choices and actions.

4. Wisdom
Personified throughout Proverbs as a guiding force leading to righteousness and away from wickedness.

5. The Righteous
Those who seek and follow God's wisdom, contrasting with the wicked.

Teaching Points

Understanding Crooked Paths
Recognize that "crooked" (Hebrew: 'iqqeshim) refers to moral deviation and dishonesty. Reflect on areas in life where integrity may be compromised.

Avoiding Devious Ways
"Devious" (Hebrew: luz) implies being twisted or perverse. Consider how subtle deviations from truth can lead to significant moral decline.

The Importance of Discernment
Develop discernment through prayer and study of Scripture to identify and avoid the paths of the wicked.

Seeking Godly Wisdom
Pursue wisdom as a safeguard against the allure of crooked paths, understanding that true wisdom comes from a relationship with God.

Walking in Righteousness
Commit to walking in the ways of righteousness, knowing that this leads to life and peace, as opposed to the destruction that follows the wicked.

Verse 15. - Whose ways are crooked; better, perhaps, who as to their ways are crooked. This is the construction adopted by Fleischer, Berthean, Zockler, and others, though it may be remarked that the substantive אֹרַח (orakh), "way," is common gender, and may thin; agree with the adjective עֵקֵשׁ (ikesh), "perverse," which is masculine. The Targum, LXX., Vulgate, Syriac, and Arabic, all make "crooked" agree with "ways," do that, grammatically, the Authorized Version may be regarded as not incorrect. Crooked (עִקְּשִׁים ik'shim); i.e. tortuous, perverse, not straightforward, (σκολιαὶ, LXX.). Symmachus translates the original by σκαμβαί, i.e. "bent." Theodotion, by στριβλαί, "twisted, crookt? Sinners, in their perverseness, are ever winding about, turning in every direction, and changing from purpose to purpose, as wayward caprice or shifting inclination, the alternations of evil propensity, happen to dictate (Wardlaw). (For the expressions "crooked ways," see Psalm 125:5.) And they froward in their paths; i.e. perverse in their paths. The root idea of the Hebrew niph. participle וּנְלוזִים (vun'lozim), translated "and they froward," is "to bend aside," "to turn away." They are turned aside to the right hand and to the left in their walk. The niph. participle נָלוז (naloz) only occurs four times in the Scriptures - here; Proverbs 3:32; Proverbs 14:2; and Isaiah 30:12. This is the last feature in their wickedness. Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

whose
אֲשֶׁ֣ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

paths
אָרְחֹתֵיהֶ֣ם (’ā·rə·ḥō·ṯê·hem)
Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 734: A well-trodden road, a caravan

are crooked,
עִקְּשִׁ֑ים (‘iq·qə·šîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 6141: Twisted, perverted

and whose ways
בְּמַעְגְּלוֹתָֽם׃ (bə·ma‘·gə·lō·w·ṯām)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 4570: An entrenchment, track

are devious.
וּ֝נְלוֹזִ֗ים (ū·nə·lō·w·zîm)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 3868: To turn aside, to depart, be perverse

Links

Proverbs 2:15 NIV
Proverbs 2:15 NLT
Proverbs 2:15 ESV
Proverbs 2:15 NASB
Proverbs 2:15 KJVProverbs 2:15 BibleApps.com
Proverbs 2:15 Biblia Paralela
Proverbs 2:15 Chinese Bible
Proverbs 2:15 French Bible
Proverbs 2:15 Catholic BibleOT Poetry: Proverbs 2:15 Who are crooked in their ways (Prov. Pro Pr)