An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,

PROVERBS 6:18KJV
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Proverbs 6:18 (KJV)

What does Proverbs 6:18 mean?

Proverbs 6:18 describes two kinds of harmful behavior: a person who plans evil ideas in their heart, and someone who is quick to rush into doing wrong. The verse points out these attitudes as examples of what God finds deeply troubling.

In Proverbs, a father is warning his son about things that are especially destructive in life and relationships. This verse is part of a list of actions and attitudes that are called out as particularly dangerous, showing how both hidden intentions and eager actions can lead to trouble.

The Hebrew behind Proverbs 6:18

  • "heart" (לֵב; lev): In Hebrew thought, the "heart" is not just feelings but the center of thinking and decision-making. This highlights that evil starts deep inside a person, not just in outward actions.
  • "deviseth" (חָרַשׁ; charash): This word means to plot or carefully plan. The verse is not just about fleeting bad thoughts, but about someone who deliberately crafts harmful schemes.
  • "wicked" (אָוֶן; aven): This word often refers to trouble, injustice, or moral disaster. The focus is on plans that bring harm or chaos, not just personal mistakes.
  • "imaginations" (מַחֲשָׁבָה; machashavah): This word means thoughts, plans, or schemes. The verse warns that even our inner plans matter, not just what we do.
  • "feet" (רֶגֶל; regel) and "swift" (מַהֵר; maher): The image is of someone eager and quick to get involved in wrongdoing, not hesitating or holding back.

Why Proverbs 6:18 matters

  • Proverbs 6:18 makes clear that both our inner thoughts and our outward actions are important; it is not enough to simply avoid bad deeds if we are still planning harm inside.
  • This verse is part of a larger section (Proverbs 6:16–19) listing things God especially hates, showing that these attitudes are not just minor flaws but serious dangers.
  • The verse warns against both the slow process of plotting evil and the impulsive rush to do wrong, highlighting that harm can come from both careful planning and reckless action.

Where else these words appear

“imaginations” Hebrew H4284 · used in 52 verses

  • Genesis 6:5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
  • Psalms 40:5 Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.
  • Jeremiah 4:14 O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved. How long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee?

“swift” Hebrew H4116 · used in 60 verses

  • Genesis 18:6 And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth.
  • Judges 9:48 And Abimelech gat him up to mount Zalmon, he and all the people that were with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it, and laid it on his shoulder, and said unto the people that were with him, What ye have seen me do, make haste, and do as I have done.
  • 2 Chronicles 24:5 And he gathered together the priests and the Levites, and said to them, Go out unto the cities of Judah, and gather of all Israel money to repair the house of your God from year to year, and see that ye hasten the matter. Howbeit the Levites hastened it not.

“deviseth” Hebrew H2790 · used in 66 verses

  • Genesis 24:21 And the man wondering at her held his peace, to wit whether the LORD had made his journey prosperous or not.
  • Esther 4:14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
  • Proverbs 6:14 Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.

“wicked” Hebrew H205 · used in 78 verses

  • Numbers 23:21 He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: the LORD his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them.
  • Psalms 41:6 And if he come to see me, he speaketh vanity: his heart gathereth iniquity to itself; when he goeth abroad, he telleth it.
  • Proverbs 21:15 It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.