whose paths are crookedThe 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 inProverbs 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.
SolomonThe author of Proverbs, known for his wisdom, who imparts guidance on living a righteous life.
2.
The WickedThose who choose paths contrary to God's wisdom, characterized by crooked and devious ways.
3.
The PathA metaphor for the course of one's life, representing choices and actions.
4.
WisdomPersonified throughout Proverbs as a guiding force leading to righteousness and away from wickedness.
5.
The RighteousThose who seek and follow God's wisdom, contrasting with the wicked.
Teaching Points
Understanding Crooked PathsRecognize 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 DiscernmentDevelop discernment through prayer and study of Scripture to identify and avoid the paths of the wicked.
Seeking Godly WisdomPursue wisdom as a safeguard against the allure of crooked paths, understanding that true wisdom comes from a relationship with God.
Walking in RighteousnessCommit to walking in the ways of righteousness, knowing that this leads to life and peace, as opposed to the destruction that follows the wicked.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Proverbs 2:15?
2.How can we identify "crooked paths" in our daily lives today?
3.What steps can we take to avoid "devious ways" mentioned in Proverbs 2:15?
4.How does Proverbs 2:15 connect with Jesus' teachings on the narrow path?
5.In what ways can we seek God's wisdom to discern "crooked paths"?
6.How can Proverbs 2:15 guide our decision-making in challenging situations?
7.What does Proverbs 2:15 reveal about the nature of human wickedness and deceit?
8.How does Proverbs 2:15 challenge our understanding of moral integrity?
9.In what ways does Proverbs 2:15 relate to the concept of divine justice?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 2?
11.What does the Bible say about perverseness?
12.What signifies the wide gate leading to destruction?
13.What wisdom and guidance does Proverbs offer for life?
14.What defines a biblical proverb?What Does Proverbs 2:15 Mean
Whose paths are crookedProverbs 2:15 opens with the image of people “whose paths are crooked.” The word picture is vivid: God lays out a straight, safe road (Proverbs 3:6;Isaiah 26:7), but these individuals bend away from it.
• A crooked path signals deliberate divergence.Proverbs 10:9 warns, “He who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out.” The contrast highlights that a straight path is transparent, while a crooked one is hidden and twisting.
• Crookedness invites danger.Proverbs 28:18 notes that “he who walks in blamelessness is kept safe, but a man whose ways are perverse will suddenly fall.” The fall may come in this life—through fractured relationships, shattered reputations—or in final judgment before Christ (Matthew 7:23).
• The pattern is progressive. Those who turn aside once often keep veering until the whole course of life is misshapen, as inRomans 1:21-24 where rejection of truth leads to deeper corruption.
• Believers are called to discern these detours. Wisdom “guards the paths of justice” (Proverbs 2:8), empowering us to spot sharp turns that lure us from holiness.
Whose ways are deviousThe verse continues, “and whose ways are devious.” A “way” points to daily conduct; “devious” stresses craftiness and rebellion (Proverbs 3:32).
• Devious ways are deceitful.Proverbs 6:12 describes “a worthless person, a wicked man” who “walks with a perverse mouth,” using deception as his normal mode.
• They oppose God’s order.Isaiah 30:1 labels the rebellious “children” who “carry out a plan, but not Mine,” illustrating that devious paths are self-designed, not Spirit-directed.
• They entangle others. Second Timothy 3:13 says “evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” Devious walkers don’t travel alone; they recruit companions, often through flattery (Proverbs 7:21).
• God’s verdict is clear.Proverbs 12:22 states, “Lying lips are detestable to the LORD.” Devious ways may look clever, but the Lord exposes and judges them (Luke 12:2).
summaryProverbs 2:15 paints a sober contrast to wisdom’s straight road. A crooked path represents intentional, accumulating departures from God’s revealed will; devious ways showcase stealthy, rebellious conduct that ensnares both actor and bystander. Scripture consistently warns that such detours end in exposure and ruin, while the straight, honest course—kept by God’s wisdom—leads to safety, clarity, and lasting fellowship with Him.
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 (
עִקְּשִׁיםik'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
whoseאֲשֶׁ֣ר(’ă·šer)Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834:Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order thatpathsאָרְחֹתֵיהֶ֣ם(’ā·rə·ḥō·ṯê·hem)Noun - common plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 734:A well-trodden road, a caravanare crooked,עִקְּשִׁ֑ים(‘iq·qə·šîm)Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 6141:Twisted, pervertedand whose waysבְּמַעְגְּלוֹתָֽם׃(bə·ma‘·gə·lō·w·ṯām)Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 4570:An entrenchment, trackare 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 NIVProverbs 2:15 NLTProverbs 2:15 ESVProverbs 2:15 NASBProverbs 2:15 KJV
Proverbs 2:15 BibleApps.comProverbs 2:15 Biblia ParalelaProverbs 2:15 Chinese BibleProverbs 2:15 French BibleProverbs 2:15 Catholic Bible
OT Poetry: Proverbs 2:15 Who are crooked in their ways (Prov. Pro Pr) 
