Proverbs 6:18 Meaning and Explanation
“An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Two more abominations: a heart that plots evil and feet that eagerly rush toward wrongdoing.
The Context of Proverbs 6:18
The fourth and fifth things God hates are enumerated: scheming evil and rushing eagerly into wrongdoing.
What Does Proverbs 6:18 Mean?
A heart that devises wicked imaginations—a mind that actively plans and schemes harm—is abominable. This is not passively evil but actively creative in wickedness. Feet that run swiftly to mischief show a person who is eager and hasty in pursuing evil, without hesitation or restraint.
The contrast between imagining evil in the heart and rushing to do it shows the full cycle of wickedness. The person does not stumble into sin but races toward it with purpose. The eagerness expressed by 'swift' feet reveals that evil has become the person's delight and natural inclination.
Proverbs 6:18 in the Original Language
meherah (מְהֵרָה), 'swift'—quick to act, hasty; describes feet that rush without restraint toward mischief.
Frequently Asked Questions About Proverbs 6:18
What does Proverbs 6:18 mean?
Two more abominations: a heart that plots evil and feet that eagerly rush toward wrongdoing.
What is the context of Proverbs 6:18?
The fourth and fifth things God hates are enumerated: scheming evil and rushing eagerly into wrongdoing.