Proverbs 6:28
Proverbs 6:28 in Multiple Translations
Can a man walk on hot coals without scorching his feet?
Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?
Or can one walk upon hot coals, And his feet not be scorched?
Or may one go on lighted coals, and his feet not be burned?
Can you walk on hot coals and not scorch your feet?
Or can a man go vpon coales, and his feete not be burnt?
Doth a man walk on the hot coals, And are his feet not scorched?
Or can one walk on hot coals, and his feet not be scorched?
Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?
Or can he walk upon hot coals, and his feet not be burnt?
Can you walk on burning coals and not scorch/burn your feet?
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 6:28
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Proverbs 6:28 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אִם
יְהַלֵּ֣ךְ
אִ֭ישׁ
עַל
הַ/גֶּחָלִ֑ים
וְ֝/רַגְלָ֗י/ו
לֹ֣א
תִכָּוֶֽינָה
אִם
ʼim
H518
if
Conj
יְהַלֵּ֣ךְ
hâlak
H1980
to go
V-Piel-Imperf-3ms
אִ֭ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
man
N-ms
עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
הַ/גֶּחָלִ֑ים
gechel
H1513
coal
Art | N-cp
וְ֝/רַגְלָ֗י/ו
regel
H7272
foot
Conj | N-fd | Suff
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
תִכָּוֶֽינָה
kâvâh
H3554
to burn
V-Niphal-Imperf-3fp
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 6:28
אִם
ʼim
H518
"if"
Conj
This Hebrew word is used to express conditions or questions, like if or whether. It can also be used to make oaths or express wishes, as in Oh that! It appears in various forms in the KJV, including if, though, and when.
Definition: : if/whether_or/though 1) if 1a) conditional clauses 1a1) of possible situations 1a2) of impossible situations 1b) oath contexts 1b1) no, not 1c) if...if, whether...or, whether...or...or 1d) when, whenever 1e) since 1f) interrogative particle 1g) but rather
Usage: Occurs in 931 OT verses. KJV: (and, can-, doubtless, if, that) (not), [phrase] but, either, [phrase] except, [phrase] more(-over if, than), neither, nevertheless, nor, oh that, or, [phrase] save (only, -ing), seeing, since, sith, [phrase] surely (no more, none, not), though, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] unless, [phrase] verily, when, whereas, whether, while, [phrase] yet. See also: Genesis 4:7; Exodus 22:3; Leviticus 27:27.
יְהַלֵּ֣ךְ
hâlak
H1980
"to go"
V-Piel-Imperf-3ms
Means to walk or go, used in many different contexts in the Bible. It can describe physical movement, but also spiritual or emotional journeys. Appears in various forms, such as 'to go' or 'to walk'.
Definition: : walk/move 1) to go, walk, come 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away 1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.) 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to walk 1b2) to walk (fig.) 1c) (Hithpael) 1c1) to traverse 1c2) to walk about 1d) (Niphal) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
Usage: Occurs in 473 OT verses. KJV: (all) along, apace, behave (self), come, (on) continually, be conversant, depart, [phrase] be eased, enter, exercise (self), [phrase] follow, forth, forward, get, go (about, abroad, along, away, forward, on, out, up and down), [phrase] greater, grow, be wont to haunt, lead, march, [idiom] more and more, move (self), needs, on, pass (away), be at the point, quite, run (along), [phrase] send, speedily, spread, still, surely, [phrase] tale-bearer, [phrase] travel(-ler), walk (abroad, on, to and fro, up and down, to places), wander, wax, (way-) faring man, [idiom] be weak, whirl. See also: Genesis 2:14; Judges 4:9; 1 Kings 13:12.
אִ֭ישׁ
ʼîysh
H376
"man"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for man, referring to a male person or individual, is used in the Bible to describe humans in contrast to God or animals, as seen in Genesis and Psalms. It can also mean husband or servant. In the KJV, it is translated as man or male.
Definition: : man 1) man 1a) man, male (in contrast to woman, female) 1b) husband 1c) human being, person (in contrast to God) 1d) servant 1e) mankind 1f) champion 1g) great man 2) whosoever 3) each (adjective)
Usage: Occurs in 1851 OT verses. KJV: also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare H802 (אִשָּׁה). See also: Genesis 2:23; Genesis 42:25; Exodus 32:23.
עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
הַ/גֶּחָלִ֑ים
gechel
H1513
"coal"
Art | N-cp
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means a burning coal or hot ember, often used to describe intense heat or purification. It appears in various contexts, including Isaiah and Ezekiel. The word symbolizes refinement and cleansing.
Definition: coal, burning coal, coals of fire, hot coals
Usage: Occurs in 18 OT verses. KJV: (burning) coal. See also: Leviticus 16:12; Psalms 140:11; Psalms 18:9.
וְ֝/רַגְלָ֗י/ו
regel
H7272
"foot"
Conj | N-fd | Suff
This word also means a foot, like when God says he will tread on the wicked in Malachi 4:3. It's used to describe human and animal feet, as well as the base of objects like tables or idols.
Definition: 1) foot 1a) foot, leg 1b) of God (anthropomorphic) 1c) of seraphim, cherubim, idols, animals, table 1d) according to the pace of (with prep) 1e) three times (feet, paces) Aramaic equivalent: re.gal (רְגַל "foot" H7271)
Usage: Occurs in 232 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] be able to endure, [idiom] according as, [idiom] after, [idiom] coming, [idiom] follow, (broken-)foot(-ed, -stool), [idiom] great toe, [idiom] haunt, [idiom] journey, leg, [phrase] piss, [phrase] possession, time. See also: Genesis 8:9; 2 Samuel 22:39; Psalms 8:7.
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
תִכָּוֶֽינָה
kâvâh
H3554
"to burn"
V-Niphal-Imperf-3fp
To burn means to prick or penetrate, causing a blister or smarting sensation. It can also mean to be burned or scorched. This verb is used in various contexts in the Bible.
Definition: 1) to burn, scorch, brand 1a) (Niphal) to be burned, be scorched
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: burn. See also: Proverbs 6:28; Isaiah 43:2.
Study Notes — Proverbs 6:28
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Warnings against Adultery
26For the levy of the prostitute is poverty, and the adulteress preys upon your very life.
27Can a man embrace fire and his clothes not be burned?
28Can a man walk on hot coals without scorching his feet?
29So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished. 30Men do not despise the thief if he steals to satisfy his hunger.Proverbs 6:28 Summary
Proverbs 6:28 is a rhetorical question that asks if a man can walk on hot coals without getting hurt. The answer, of course, is no, and this illustrates the idea that sin, like walking on hot coals, will always lead to harm and pain. This verse is warning us about the dangers of adultery and other sins, and reminding us that our actions have consequences, as seen in Galatians 6:7-8. By seeking to live a righteous life and following God's commands, as seen in Exodus 20:17, we can avoid the dangers of sin and live a life that is pleasing to God.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main point of Proverbs 6:28?
The main point of Proverbs 6:28 is to illustrate the dangers of sin, specifically adultery, by using a rhetorical question that highlights the impossibility of escaping the consequences of sin, as seen in the previous verse, Proverbs 6:27, where it is asked if a man can embrace fire without being burned.
Is Proverbs 6:28 saying that all sin is equally bad?
While Proverbs 6:28 is not making a direct comparison between different types of sin, it is emphasizing the seriousness of adultery, as also seen in Proverbs 6:29, which warns that no one who touches another man's wife will go unpunished, and is reminiscent of the Seventh Commandment in Exodus 20:17.
How does this verse relate to our everyday lives?
This verse reminds us that our actions have consequences, and that sin, like walking on hot coals, will inevitably lead to harm and pain, as seen in Galatians 6:7-8, where it is written that we will reap what we sow.
What is the purpose of the rhetorical questions in Proverbs 6:27-28?
The rhetorical questions in Proverbs 6:27-28 are used to drive home the point that sin, like fire or hot coals, is destructive and cannot be trifled with, and are similar to the questions asked in Job 4:7, which emphasize the importance of living a righteous life.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I may be 'walking on hot coals' in my own life, and how can I avoid the dangers of sin?
- How can I apply the warning in Proverbs 6:28 to my relationships and interactions with others?
- What are some ways in which I can 'protect my feet' from the dangers of sin, and how can I seek God's guidance and protection in my life?
- How does the concept of consequences in Proverbs 6:28 relate to the idea of sowing and reaping in Galatians 6:7-8, and what implications does this have for my own life?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 6:28
Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?] He cannot; if he sets his feet upon them, and continues them ever so little on them, they will be burnt, and much more if he walks upon them;
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 6:28
Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned? Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burnt? The whoremonger or adulterer treads upon the coals of Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burnt?
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 6:28
Proverbs 6:28 Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?Ver. 28. Can one go upon hot coals?] Similitudes are never set out to confirm or confute, but to adorn and illustrate, giving unto their matter a certain kind of lively gesture, and stirring up thereby men’ s drowsy minds to the consideration and acknowledgment of the truth, and to the pursuit and practice of virtue and godliness. Of the great use of similes, we may read in Chrysost., Hom. in Gen.; Origen in Levit.; August. de Doctrina Christ., lib. ii.; Greg. Moral., lib. iii. cap. 36, &c.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 6:28
Fourteenth Address. Chap. 6. Proverbs 6:20-35. The Evil WomanThe holy memories and sanctions of the family are invoked (Proverbs 6:20-23) to give weight to another earnest warning against the sin which destroys the purity and saps the foundations of family life (Proverbs 6:24-35).
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 6:28
27-29. Take fire — Kindle, or keep up a fire — a forcible way of saying that this sin cannot go unpunished; the dreadful consequences will, sooner or later, inevitably follow.