Pro 2:13-15 | NETfull | STEP | who leave the upright paths to walk on the dark ways,

Proverbs 2:13-15

13 who leave ^{▼▼ The articular plural active participle functions as attributive adjective for אִישׁ (’ish, “man”) in v. 12b, indicating that אִישׁ (“man”) is collective.} the upright ^{▼▼ 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 ^{▼▼ Heb “ways of darkness.” Darkness is often metaphorical for sinfulness, ignorance, or oppression. Their way of life lacks spiritual illumination.} ways,
14 who delight ^{▼▼ The articular plural active participle functions as the second attributive adjective for אִישׁ (’ish, “man”) in v. 12b.} in doing ^{▼▼ The Qal infinitive construct is the complementary use of the form, expressing the direct object of the participle.} evil, ^{▼▼ Or “harm.”}
they rejoice in perverse evil; ^{▼▼ Heb “the perversity of evil” (so NASB). The noun רָע (ra’, “evil”) functions as an attributed genitive which is modified by the construct noun תַהְפֻּכוֹת (tahpukhot, “perversity”) which functions as an attributive adjective.}
15 whose paths ^{▼▼ 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, ^{▼▼ Heb “crooked.” The adjective עִקֵּשׁ (’iqqesh, “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 ^{▼▼ The Niphal participle of לוּז (luz, “devious; crooked”) describes conduct that is morally deceptive, crafty, and cunning (Isa 30:12).} in their ways;