Proverbs 4:18

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Proverbs 4:18 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But the path of the righteous is as the dawning light, That shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But the path of the righteous is as the dawning light, That shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
Proverbs 4:18 — American Standard Version

Context — Proverbs 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
18But the path of the righteous is as the dawning light, That shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But the path of the just [is] as the shining light, etc.] The “just” man is one that is made righteous through the righteousness of Christ imputed to him; and who is created anew in Christ, in righteousness and true holiness; and, under the influence of divine grace, lives soberly, righteously, and godly: the “path” he is directed to walk in, and does, is Christ himself, the way, the truth, and the life; through whose blood, righteousness, and sacrifice, he goes to God for grace and mercy, for peace, pardon, and acceptance, for fresh supplies of grace, and in order to enjoy communion with him; and who also is the way of salvation, and to eternal life and happiness: and, besides this grand…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“As shining light increases from twilight to noonday splendor, so the course of the just increases in purity, but that of the wicked is as thickest darkness, in which one knows not on what he stumbles.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The counsel which has come to him, in substance, from his father. Compare it with 2 Samuel 23:2 etc.; 1 Chronicles 28:9; 1 Chronicles 29:17; Psalms 15:1-5; Psalms 24:1-10; Psalms 37:0. Proverbs 4:7 Or, “The beginning of wisdom is - get wisdom.” To seek is to find, to desire is to obtain. Proverbs 4:12 The ever-recurring parable of the journey of life. In the way of wisdom the path is clear and open, obstacles disappear; in the quickest activity (“when thou runnest”) there is no risk of falling. Proverbs 4:13 She is thy life - Another parallel between personified Wisdom in this book and the Incarnate Wisdom in John 1:4. Proverbs 4:16 A fearful stage of debasement. Sin is the condition without…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“But - Just men daily grow in knowledge, and grace, and consolation, 'till all be perfected and swallowed up in glory. Proverbs 4:19”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“4:18-19 Light stands for wisdom and righteousness, and darkness stands for foolishness and wickedness (see Eccl 2:12-14). Light brings actions into the open; darkness hides them. Righteous people have nothing to hide, while the wicked try to hide what they do and end up stumbling over obstacles in the dark (see Matt 4:16; 5:14-16; John 1:14; Rom 2:19).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Sa2 23:4; Job 11:17, Job 23:10; Psa 84:7; Hos 6:3; Zac 14:6, Zac 14:7; Mat 5:14, Mat 5:16, Mat 5:45; Joh 8:12; Co2 3:18; Phi 2:15; Pe2 1:19, Pe2 3:18; Rev 21:23, Rev 22:5 Proverbs 4:19”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“The two ways that lie for his choice before the youth, are distinguished from one another as light is from darkness: 18 And the path of the just is like the brightness of the morning light, Which shines more and more till the perfect day. 19 The way of the wicked is deep darkness, They know not at what they stumble. The Hebr. style is wont to conceal in its Vav (ו) diverse kinds of logical relations, but the Vav of 18a may suitably stand before 19a, where the discontinuance of this contrast of the two ways is unsuitable. The displacing of a Vav from its right position is not indeed without example (see under Psa 16:3); but since Pro 4:19 joins itself more easily than Pro 4:18 to Pro 4:17…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification