The Meaning of Proverbs 3:23 Explained

Proverbs 3:23

KJV: Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.

YLT: Then thou goest thy way confidently, And thy foot doth not stumble.

Darby: Then shalt thou walk in thy way securely, and thy foot shall not stumble;

ASV: Then shalt thou walk in thy way securely, And thy foot shall not stumble.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Then shalt thou walk  in thy way  safely,  and thy foot  shall not stumble. 

What does Proverbs 3:23 Mean?

Context Summary

Proverbs 3:13-26 - Wisdom's Ways Of Pleasantness
Wisdom is susceptible of cultivation. It is a mine that needs to be worked with patient toil. Compare Proverbs 3:13-15 with Job 28:18. It is comparable to a noble woman, who approaches us with full-handed beneficence, Proverbs 3:16-17. It may be described as a tree, requiring careful tendance and bearing fruit for the patient cultivator, Proverbs 3:18. And we may turn from our own little lives to see the mighty results of divine wisdom in Creation and Providence. We are made in the image of God, our minds are able to appreciate His mind, and we think over again, as Kepler said, the thoughts of God, Proverbs 3:19-20.
Learn the security of the life which is built on the eternal principles of this book. It has no fear. Its repose is unbroken by alarm. It is at peace with itself, with man, and with God. This is not the result of our calculating prudence, but because we exercise ourselves to have consciences void of offense toward God and man; and because the God of patience, of hope, and of peace is with us. See Romans 15:5; Romans 15:13; Romans 15:33. [source]

Chapter Summary: Proverbs 3

1  various exhortations
13  The gain of wisdom
27  Exhortation to goodness
33  the different state of the wicked and upright

What do the individual words in Proverbs 3:23 mean?

Then you will walk safely in your way and your foot not will stumble
אָ֤ז תֵּלֵ֣ךְ לָבֶ֣טַח דַּרְכֶּ֑ךָ וְ֝רַגְלְךָ֗ לֹ֣א תִגּֽוֹף

תֵּלֵ֣ךְ  you  will  walk 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine singular
Root: הָלַךְ  
Sense: to go, walk, come.
לָבֶ֣טַח  safely 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, masculine singular
Root: בֶּטַח  
Sense: security, safety adv.
דַּרְכֶּ֑ךָ  in  your  way 
Parse: Noun, common singular construct, second person masculine singular
Root: דֶּרֶךְ  
Sense: way, road, distance, journey, manner.
וְ֝רַגְלְךָ֗  and  your  foot 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, feminine singular construct, second person masculine singular
Root: רֶגֶל  
Sense: foot.
תִגּֽוֹף  will  stumble 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person feminine singular
Root: נָגַף  
Sense: to strike, smite.