Proverbs - 6:18



18 a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are swift in running to mischief,

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of Proverbs 6:18.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
A heart that deviseth wicked purposes, Feet that are swift in running to mischief,
A heart that deviseth wicked plots, feet that are swift to run into mischief,
A heart devising thoughts of vanity, Feet hasting to run to evil,
An heart that devises wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
A heart full of evil designs, feet which are quick in running after sin;
A heart that deviseth wicked thoughts, Feet that are swift in running to evil;
a heart that devises the most wicked thoughts, feet running swiftly unto evil,

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, (h) feet that be swift in running to mischief,
(h) Meaning, the raging affections, which carry a man away in such sort that he cannot tell what he does.

An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations,.... Or, "thoughts of wickedness" (e); which are framed and formed in the heart: and this being the source and fountain of all wickedness, is placed in the midst of these hateful and abominable things; See Gill on Proverbs 6:14; evil thoughts and designs, both against God and men, are intended, which are forged and fabricated in the wicked heart of man; and may respect the depths of Satan in the antichristian beast of Rome, Revelation 2:24;
feet that be swift in running to mischief; to commit all manner of sin with greediness, especially murder; see Proverbs 1:16.
(e) "cogitationes iniquitatis", Montanus; "cogitationes vanitatis", Cocceius.

The fourth characteristic is a deceitful heart. On חרשׁ, vid., Proverbs 6:14, Proverbs 3:29, and on אין, Proverbs 6:12. The fifth: feet running with haste to evil; לרעה as לרע in Isaiah 59:7, echoing the distich Proverbs 1:16, as here, 17b and 18b. The connection מהר לרוּץ, propere cucurrit (contrast אחר ל), is equivalent to רץ מהר.

Deviseth - He whose practice it is to contrive wickedness. Swift - Such as greedily execute their wicked designs.

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