Proverbs 4 · Verse 18

Proverbs 4:18

But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
Proverbs 4:18, King James Version

Proverbs 4:18 in other translations

BSBThe path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday.
WEBBut the path of the righteous is like the dawning light that shines more and more until the perfect day.
ASVBut the path of the righteous is as the dawning light, That shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
YLTAnd the path of the righteous is as a shining light, Going and brightening till the day is established,
DARBYBut the path of the righteous is as the shining light, going on and brightening until the day be fully come.
BBEBut the way of the upright is like the light of early morning, getting brighter and brighter till the full day.
WebsterBut the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more to the perfect day.

What does Proverbs 4:18 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 4:18-19
18-19. As shining light increases from twilight to noonday splendor, so the course of the just increases in purity, but that of the wicked is as thickest darkness, in which one knows not on what he stumbles.

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 18 But the path of the just - The path of the wicked is gloomy, dark, and dangerous; that of the righteous is open, luminous, and instructive. This verse contains a fine metaphor; it refers to the sun rising above the horizon, and the increasing twilight, till his beams shine full upon the earth. The original, הולך ואור עד נכון היום holech vaor ad nechon haiyom, may be translated, "going and illuminating unto the prepared day." This seems plainly to refer to the progress of the rising sun while below the horizon; and the gradual increase of the light occasioned by the reflection of his rays by means of the atmosphere, till at last he is completely elevated above the horizon, and then the prepared day has fully taken place, the sun having risen at the determined time. So, the truly wise man is but in his twilight here below; but he is in a state of glorious preparation for the realms of everlasting light; till at last, emerging from darkness and the shadows of death, he is ushered into the full blaze of endless felicity. Yet previously to his enjoyment of this glory, which is prepared for him, he is going - walking in the commandments of his God blameless; and illuminating - reflecting the light of the salvation which he has received on all those who form the circle of his acquaintance.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Proverbs 4:14-27

The way of evil men may seem pleasant, and the nearest way to compass some end; but it is an evil way, and will end ill; if thou love thy God and thy soul, avoid it. It is not said, Keep at a due distance, but at a great distance; never think you can get far enough from it. The way of the righteous is light; Christ is their Way, and he is the Light. The saints will not be perfect till they reach heaven, but there…

Read the full comment on Proverbs 4:14-27 →

Proverbs 4:18 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

וְאֹ֣רַחve.'O.rachand [the] path ofH734
צַ֭דִּיקִיםTza.di.kimrighteous [people]H6662
כְּא֣וֹרke.'or[is] like a light ofH216
נֹ֑גַהּNo.gahbrightnessH5051
הוֹלֵ֥ךְho.Lekh[which] goesH1980
וָ֝א֗וֹרva.'orand [which] shinesH215
עַד\־'ad-untilH5704
נְכ֥וֹןne.Khon[the] established [part] ofH3559
הַיּֽוֹם\׃hai.Yomthe dayH3117

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Proverbs 4:18

  • John 8:12

    Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

  • Job 11:17

    And thine age shall be clearer than the noonday; thou shalt shine forth, thou shalt be as the morning.

  • Daniel 12:3

    And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

  • Philippians 2:15

    That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

  • 2 Corinthians 3:18

    But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

  • 2 Peter 1:19

    We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

  • Psalms 84:7

    They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.

  • Matthew 5:14

    Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

  • Matthew 5:16

    Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

  • Isaiah 26:7

    The way of the just is uprightness: thou, most upright, dost weigh the path of the just.

  • 2 Samuel 23:4

    And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain.

  • Revelation 22:5

    And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Sa 23:4; Job 11:17; 23:10; Ps 84:7; Ho 6:3; Zec 14:6,7
Mt 5:14,16,45; Joh 8:12; 2Co 3:18; Php 2:15; 2Pe 1:19; 3:18
Re 21:23; 22:5

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Proverbs 4:17

    For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.

  • Proverbs 4:18

    But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

  • Proverbs 4:19

    The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.

Read all of Proverbs 4

Proverbs 4:18 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909
Mas la senda de los justos es como la luz de la aurora, que va en aumento hasta que el día es perfecto.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885
Mais le sentier des justes est comme la lumière resplendissante qui va croissant jusqu’à ce que le plein jour soit établi.
German
Elberfelder 1871
Aber der Pfad der Gerechten ist wie das glänzende Morgenlicht, das stets heller leuchtet bis zur Tageshöhe.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate
Justorum autem semita quasi lux splendens procedit, et crescit usque ad perfectam diem.