Proverbs 5:21

KJV

For the ways of man [are] before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.

KJV (with Strong's)

For the ways {H1870} of man {H376} are before {H5227} the eyes {H5869} of the LORD {H3068}, and he pondereth {H6424} all his goings {H4570}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For ADONAI is watching a man's ways; he surveys all his paths.

Berean Standard Bible

For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the LORD, and the LORD examines all his paths.

American Standard Version

For the ways of man are before the eyes of Jehovah; And he maketh level all his paths.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 5:21 serves as a profound theological anchor within a chapter warning against sexual immorality, asserting God's absolute omniscience and meticulous oversight of all human conduct. It declares that every aspect of a person's life—their choices, actions, and entire life's trajectory—is fully exposed and carefully evaluated by the LORD. This verse underscores the futility of hidden sin and establishes the foundational principle of divine accountability, reinforcing the call to wisdom, integrity, and righteous living in light of an all-seeing and all-knowing God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Proverbs 5 is a direct, urgent admonition from a father figure to his son, warning him against the seductive and destructive path of the "strange woman" or adulteress. The chapter begins with an appeal to heed wisdom's instruction ([Proverbs 5:1-2](/proverbs/5-1 "Proverbs 5:1-2 - Heed Wisdom's Instruction")), then vividly describes the initial allure and subsequent bitter consequences of illicit relationships ([Proverbs 5:3-14](/proverbs/5-3 "Proverbs 5:3-14 - The Bitter End of Adultery")). The father then exhorts his son to find satisfaction and joy within the covenant of marriage ([Proverbs 5:15-20](/proverbs/5-15 "Proverbs 5:15-20 - Rejoice in Your Own Wife")). Verse 21 acts as the theological bedrock for all these warnings, providing the ultimate reason why one should avoid such folly: no sin, especially secret sin, escapes the divine gaze. It transitions from the specific dangers of adultery to the universal principle of divine accountability, setting the stage for the concluding verses that describe the ensnaring nature of the wicked's own sins ([Proverbs 5:22-23](/proverbs/5-22 "Proverbs 5:22-23 - The Snares of Sin")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Proverbs originates from ancient Israelite wisdom traditions, often reflecting a patriarchal society where the instruction of sons was paramount for the continuity of family, community, and covenant faithfulness. Morality, particularly sexual purity, was not merely a private matter but held significant social and theological implications, impacting one's standing within the community and before God. Adultery was a grave offense, punishable by death under the Mosaic Law ([Leviticus 20:10](/leviticus/20-10 "Leviticus 20:10 - Punishment for Adultery")). The concept of a God who sees all was deeply embedded in Israelite theology, contrasting with the polytheistic beliefs of surrounding cultures where deities might be localized or limited in their knowledge. The emphasis on "ways" and "goings" reflects a culture where daily life involved literal paths and journeys, making these metaphors for life's course particularly resonant.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Proverbs and biblical theology. Foremost is the **Divine Omniscience**, emphasizing that God's knowledge is absolute and exhaustive, extending to every human action and intention. This theme is foundational to understanding God's character and His just governance of the world, as seen in [Psalm 139:1-4](/psalm/139-1 "Psalm 139:1-4 - God's All-Encompassing Knowledge"). Closely related is the theme of **Divine Accountability**, where the knowledge that God "pondereth all his goings" implies a meticulous evaluation and ultimate judgment of human conduct. This provides a strong motivation for righteous living and serves as a warning against sin, aligning with the broader biblical teaching on God's justice and the inevitability of consequences ([Romans 14:12](/romans/14-12 "Romans 14:12 - Account to God")). Finally, the verse reinforces the **Call to Wisdom and Integrity**, suggesting that true wisdom involves living a life transparent before God, understanding that external appearance means little when one's true "ways" are fully known to the Creator. This moral imperative is a recurring motif throughout the book of [Proverbs](/proverbs/1 "Proverbs 1 - The Beginning of Wisdom").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **ways (Hebrew, _derek'_):** From the root `דָּרַךְ` (darak), meaning "to tread" or "to walk," `derek` signifies a "road" or "path," but more profoundly, it refers to one's "course of life" or "mode of action." In Proverbs 5:21, it encompasses the entirety of a person's conduct, choices, and moral trajectory, whether public or private. It's not just isolated acts, but the overall direction and pattern of one's life.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the sacred, covenantal name of God, often transliterated as Yahweh. Derived from `הָיָה` (hayah), meaning "to be" or "to exist," it denotes the self-existent, eternal, and unchanging God. The use of `Yᵉhôvâh` here emphasizes that it is the personal, relational God of Israel, the God of the covenant, who possesses this intimate knowledge and exercises this profound oversight over humanity, not some distant or impersonal deity.
* **pondereth (Hebrew, _pâlaç'_):** This verb, `פָּלַס` (palas), literally means "to roll flat," "to weigh," or "to balance." It implies a meticulous, precise, and deliberate evaluation. God doesn't merely observe; He carefully assesses, measures, and considers every detail of a person's "goings," indicating a divine judgment that is both thorough and just, far beyond human scrutiny or superficial observation. This active weighing implies a coming reckoning.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For the ways of man [are] before the eyes of the LORD":** This clause establishes the foundational premise of divine omniscience. The "ways of man" (his entire life's conduct, choices, and moral direction) are not hidden but are "before the eyes of the LORD." This signifies complete transparency, implying that God's gaze penetrates beyond outward appearances to the deepest intentions and secret actions. Nothing escapes His notice; every path taken, every decision made, is fully known to the self-existent, covenant-keeping God.
* **"and he pondereth all his goings":** This second clause elaborates on the nature of God's observation, moving beyond mere seeing to active evaluation. "He pondereth" (from `pâlaç`) suggests a careful, precise weighing and assessment. "All his goings" refers to every step, every action, every movement in a person's life journey. This implies not only God's comprehensive knowledge but also His active engagement in judging and evaluating human conduct, ensuring ultimate accountability and justice. It's a divine audit of every aspect of life.

#### Literary Devices
Proverbs 5:21 employs several key literary devices to convey its powerful message. **Anthropomorphism** is evident in the phrases "eyes of the LORD" and "he pondereth," attributing human-like sensory perception and intellectual processes (seeing, weighing) to God. This makes the abstract concept of divine omniscience more relatable and impactful for the human audience. The terms "ways" and "goings" function as **Metaphors** for a person's life choices, conduct, and moral trajectory. These physical movements are used to represent the entirety of one's ethical and spiritual journey. The use of "all" in "all his goings" is a form of **Hyperbole** or **Totalizing Language**, emphasizing the absolute and exhaustive nature of God's knowledge and evaluation, leaving no room for concealment or escape. This combination of devices creates a vivid and compelling image of a God who is intimately aware of, and deeply concerned with, every detail of human life.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Proverbs 5:21 powerfully articulates the biblical doctrine of God's omnipresence and omniscience, serving as a cornerstone for understanding divine justice and accountability. The truth that God sees and weighs every human action provides the ultimate motivation for moral uprightness and integrity. It underscores that true wisdom involves living as if one is always in the direct presence of the Almighty, for indeed, one is. This divine scrutiny is not merely for condemnation but also for the purpose of guiding humanity towards righteousness and ensuring that justice, both restorative and retributive, will ultimately prevail. It reminds us that our lives are lived before an audience of One who is perfectly just and perfectly knowing.

* [Psalm 139:2-3](/psalm/139-2 "God Knows Our Thoughts and Paths")
* [Jeremiah 16:17](/jeremiah/16-17 "Nothing Hidden from God's Eyes")
* [Hebrews 4:13](/hebrews/4-13 "All Things Open Before God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The profound truth of Proverbs 5:21 calls us to a life of radical transparency and intentional integrity. Knowing that "the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings" should transform our approach to daily living. It dismantles the illusion of secret sin, reminding us that no thought, word, or deed is truly hidden from God. This awareness ought to cultivate a deep sense of reverence and a desire to please Him in all things, not out of fear of punishment, but out of a loving response to His perfect knowledge and justice. It encourages us to examine our motives, purify our intentions, and align our actions with divine wisdom, understanding that our true character is fully known to our Creator. Furthermore, this verse offers immense comfort to those who suffer injustice, knowing that God sees every wrong and will ultimately bring all things into account.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I tend to act as if God is not watching or weighing my actions?**
* **How does the truth that God "pondereth all his goings" motivate me to pursue integrity, even when no one else is looking?**
* **What specific "ways" or "goings" in my life might need to be re-evaluated in light of God's constant scrutiny?**

### FAQ

**Does this verse mean God is constantly judging and condemning us?**

Answer: While the verse certainly speaks to God's meticulous evaluation ("pondereth all his goings"), it's crucial to understand this within the broader biblical context of God's character. God's knowledge and judgment are not solely for condemnation but also for justice, guidance, and ultimately, redemption. He sees our sin, yes, but also our repentance, our struggles, and our sincere efforts to walk in righteousness. His "pondering" is a perfect, just assessment, not an arbitrary or malicious one. For those in Christ, this knowledge leads to conviction and sanctification, not eternal condemnation, because their sins have been atoned for ([Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ Jesus")).

**If God knows everything I do, does that mean I don't have free will?**

Answer: No, God's omniscience does not negate human free will. The Bible consistently affirms both God's exhaustive knowledge and human responsibility for choices. God knows what we *will* choose, but He does not *force* us to choose it. His knowledge is perfect foresight, not deterministic control over our actions. Proverbs 5:21 emphasizes the *consequences* of our choices, which arise from our free will, rather than dictating those choices. The warnings in Proverbs, including this verse, are given precisely because humans have the freedom to choose between wisdom and folly, and their choices have real implications that God sees and weighs.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 5:21 finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament reveals God as the all-seeing LORD, it is in Christ that this divine omniscience becomes personally accessible and redemptively applied. Jesus, being God incarnate, perfectly embodies the truth that "the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD." He demonstrated this by knowing the thoughts and intentions of people ([Matthew 9:4](/matthew/9-4 "Matthew 9:4 - Jesus Knew Their Thoughts")), discerning the hearts of His disciples ([John 2:24-25](/john/2-24 "John 2:24-25 - Jesus Knew All People")), and even knowing the secret sins of individuals ([John 4:17-18](/john/4-17 "John 4:17-18 - Jesus Knew the Samaritan Woman's Husbands")). Furthermore, Christ is the One through whom God "pondereth all his goings," as He is appointed by the Father as the ultimate Judge of all humanity ([John 5:22](/john/5-22 "John 5:22 - The Father Judges No One, but Has Given All Judgment to the Son")). In Him, God's perfect knowledge and righteous judgment are perfectly reconciled with His boundless grace and mercy. For those who are "in Christ," the terrifying prospect of an all-seeing Judge is transformed into the comforting reality of a Savior who knows their every weakness, yet has paid the full price for their "goings" that fall short, offering forgiveness and the power to walk in newness of life ([Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Newness of Life in Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Hebrews 4:13

Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things [are] naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

Proverbs 15:3

¶ The eyes of the LORD [are] in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

Job 34:21

For his eyes [are] upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings.

Jeremiah 32:19

Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes [are] open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings:

Job 31:4

Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps?

Psalms 11:4

¶ The LORD [is] in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne [is] in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men.

Jeremiah 16:17

For mine eyes [are] upon all their ways: they are not hid from my face, neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes.