‏ Proverbs 2:13-15


13 who leave
tn The articular plural active participle functions as attributive adjective for אִישׁ (ʾish, “man”) in v. 12b, indicating that אִישׁ (“man”) is collective.
the upright
tn Heb “paths of uprightness.” The noun יָשָׁר (yashar, “uprightness; straightness”) is an attributive genitive. The moral life is described in Proverbs as the smooth, straight way (2:13; 4:11). The wicked abandon the clear straight path for an evil, crooked, uncertain path.
paths
to walk on the dark
tn Heb “ways of darkness.” Darkness is often metaphorical for sinfulness, ignorance, or oppression. Their way of life lacks spiritual illumination.
ways,

14 who delight
tn The articular plural active participle functions as the second attributive adjective for אִישׁ (ʾish, “man”) in v. 12b.
in doing
tn The Qal infinitive construct is the complementary use of the form, expressing the direct object of the participle.
evil;
tn Or “harm.”

they rejoice in perverse evil,
tn Heb “the perversities of evil.” The structure combines a plural noun in construct with a singular adjective. The most typical options for understanding this construction would be “evil perversity” (plural for abstract concept with attributive genitive) or “the perversities of an evil man.” Possibly it could mean “the perverse aspects of evil.”

15 whose paths
tn The noun in this relative clause is an accusative of specification: The evil people are twisted with respect to their paths/conduct.
are morally crooked
tn Heb “crooked.” The adjective עִקֵּשׁ (ʿiqqesh, “crooked; twisted”) uses the morphological pattern of adjectives that depict permanent bodily defects, e.g., blindness, lameness. Their actions are morally defective and, apart from repentance, are permanently crooked and twisted.

and who are devious
tn The Niphal participle of לוּז (luz, “devious; crooked”) describes conduct that is morally deceptive, crafty, and cunning (Isa 30:12).
in their ways,
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