Proverbs 3:6 (NASB)
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.
What is the difference between a "way" and a "path"?
More specifically, what is the significance in using two different words for what seems to be the same thing?
Actually, sara, the two different words are not directing to the same thing. The English versions are very accurate here. See below two examples:
Proverbs 3:6
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths (AKJV).
In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths smooth (TNK)
In the LXX they used the same word for both:
Proverbs 3:6
ἐν πάσαις ὁδοῖς σου γνώριζε αὐτήν ἵνα ὀρθοτομῇ τὰς ὁδούς σου ὁ δὲ πούς σου οὐ μὴ προσκόπτῃ
Yet in the Hebrew there are two different words with quite a different meaning:
Proverbs 3:6 בְּכָל־דְּרָכֶ֥יךָ דָעֵ֑הוּ וְ֝ה֗וּא יְיַשֵּׁ֥ר אֹֽרְחֹתֶֽיךָ׃
דְּרָכֶ֥יךָ < דֶּרֶךְ (n-m) heb way, road, distance, journey, manner road, way, path journey direction manner, habit, way of course of life (fig.) of moral character (fig.)
אֹֽרְחֹתֶֽיךָ < אֹרַח (n-m) heb way, path path, road the path, way, passing of life (fig.) way of living (fig.) traveller, wayfarer (meton)
For more, please have a look here and here.
So, the expression "all your ways" is about the whole area of one's beliefs, way of thinking, life's actions, etc. And it is not simply in theory, but also in practice, in everyday's routine. Whereas "paths" is about the work of God in most likely every event of one's life, at a more down to earth level, where God will be removing all obstacles out of the way.
In a more abstract way of putting it, "all your ways" is about the general and "paths" is about the particular. If you travel say, "from Chicago to LA" :-) there is one way (direction), but many paths (means of getting to the destination).
That would be: "if on the whole you acknowledge him, he shall be looking after you in every detail of your life."
Although ארח and דרך are both "way" , or "path" the first is more figurative and related to the way one should act (metaphorical way / path of life).
This verse say that one should remember God commandments on every step he make: the path he walks in and the way he acts.
Exactly...you've answered it very well
The Way is the Purpose, Vision, Direction, general
The Path is the Plans, the specifics, the steps to be taken to get to the vision.
Simply, the Way is made up of paths.
One difference is that “way” can describe more than one connected road or path. But we use “path” to describe just one singular road or route. An example of this is: Can you tell me the way to the beach?
The direction of your life follows the commitments you make. The practical meaning of proverbs 3:6 means In all your commitments (ways) acknowledge God and He will Make your decisions (path) straight
