The Meaning of Proverbs 10:29 Explained

Proverbs 10:29

KJV: The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.

YLT: The way of Jehovah is strength to the perfect, And ruin to workers of iniquity.

Darby: The way of Jehovah is strength to the perfect man, but destruction to the workers of iniquity.

ASV: The way of Jehovah is a stronghold to the upright; But it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

The way  of the LORD  [is] strength  to the upright:  but destruction  [shall be] to the workers  of iniquity. 

What does Proverbs 10:29 Mean?

Context Summary

Proverbs 10:17-32 - The Blessing Of The Lord Maketh Rich
Let us specially avoid talking too much. Silence is golden. See Proverbs 10:19. Yet the tongue of the just is as choice silver and the lips of the righteous feed many, Proverbs 10:20-21. When we speak, let us say something and let the people to whom we speak feel that their heart is lighter and that the heavenly horizons are nearer and clearer. Whatever you do, beware of uttering slander, Proverbs 10:18. You know, by your own experience, what is acceptable; see to it that your mouth brings forth wisdom and grace, Proverbs 10:31-32.
But this portion of Scripture deals, not only with the speech of the good man, but with his stability. The blessing of God is upon him, enriching him in all manner of ways; and there is no alloy in this gold, no bitterness in God's love, Proverbs 10:22. The desire of the righteous is granted, because it is begotten of the divine Spirit. He is built on the Everlasting Rock, Proverbs 10:25; Proverbs 10:30. His hope is gladness, Proverbs 10:28. As he walks in God's way, he gathers strength, Proverbs 10:29. Though he fall he is not utterly cast down; for God succors him with His saving strength, Psalms 37:24. [source]

Chapter Summary: Proverbs 10

1  Proverbs of Solomon: observations of moral virtues, and their contrary vices

What do the individual words in Proverbs 10:29 mean?

[is] strength for the upright the way of Yahweh but destruction [will come] to the workers of iniquity
מָע֣וֹז לַ֭תֹּם דֶּ֣רֶךְ יְהוָ֑ה וּ֝מְחִתָּ֗ה לְפֹ֣עֲלֵי אָֽוֶן

מָע֣וֹז  [is]  strength 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: מָעֹוז 
Sense: place or means of safety, protection, refuge, stronghold.
לַ֭תֹּם  for  the  upright 
Parse: Preposition-l, Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: תֹּם  
Sense: integrity, completeness.
דֶּ֣רֶךְ  the  way 
Parse: Noun, common singular construct
Root: דֶּרֶךְ  
Sense: way, road, distance, journey, manner.
יְהוָ֑ה  of  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
וּ֝מְחִתָּ֗ה  but  destruction  [will  come] 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, feminine singular
Root: מְחִתָּה  
Sense: destruction, ruin, terror, a breaking.
לְפֹ֣עֲלֵי  to  the  workers 
Parse: Preposition-l, Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine plural construct
Root: פָּעַל  
Sense: to do, make.
אָֽוֶן  of  iniquity 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: אָוֶן 
Sense: trouble, wickedness, sorrow.