Proverbs 4:25

4:25 Let your eyes look directly in front of you

and let your gaze look straight before you.

Proverbs 9:15

9:15 calling out to those who are passing by her in the way,

who go straight on their way.

Proverbs 11:5

11:5 The righteousness of the blameless will make straight their way,

but the wicked person will fall by his own wickedness.


tn The jussives in this verse are both Hiphil, the first from the verb “to gaze; to look intently [or, carefully],” (נָבַט, navat) and the second from the verb “to be smooth, straight” (יָשָׁר, yashar).

tn Heb “your eyelids.” The term “eyelids” is often a poetic synonym for “eye” (it is a metonymy of adjunct, something connected with the eye put for the eye that sees); it may intensify the idea as one might squint to gain a clearer look.

tn The infinitive construct “calling out” functions epexegetically in the sentence, explaining how the previous action was accomplished.

tn The term “her” does not appear in the Hebrew text, but is supplied for the sake of clarity and smoothness.

tn The noun is a genitive of location after the construct participle. Its parallel word is also an adverbial accusative of location.

tn The participle modifies the participle in the first colon. To describe the passers-by in this context as those “who go straight” means that they are quiet and unwary.

tn Heb “his way.”

sn The righteous will enjoy security and serenity throughout life. Righteousness makes the path straight; wickedness destroys the wicked.