Proverbs 14:27 kjv

The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

Proverbs 14:27 nkjv

The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, To turn one away from the snares of death.

Proverbs 14:27 niv

The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death.

Proverbs 14:27 esv

The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.

Proverbs 14:27 nlt

Fear of the LORD is a life-giving fountain;
it offers escape from the snares of death.

Proverbs 14 verses

Proverbs 14 27 Meaning

Reverent awe and obedient submission to the Lord, born from a deep understanding of His holiness and sovereignty, serves as the constant and abundant source of true, flourishing life. This profound reverence for God actively enables and empowers one to recognize, avoid, and escape the alluring and destructive pathways, temptations, and perils that inevitably lead to spiritual decay, separation from God, and ultimate ruin.

Proverbs 14 27 Context

Proverbs chapter 14 continues the thematic contrast prevalent throughout the book of Proverbs, highlighting the diverging paths and outcomes of wisdom versus folly, righteousness versus wickedness. It juxtaposes the actions and characters of the wise and the foolish, illustrating the practical consequences of their choices. Verse 27, in particular, acts as a foundational principle within this chapter's discourse, emphasizing that a life lived in reverence for God is the ultimate safeguard against destruction. For the original Israelite audience, "the fear of the Lord" was not merely a religious sentiment but a comprehensive life principle, directly opposing reliance on human cleverness, idolatrous practices, or the pursuit of fleeting worldly pleasures, all of which were seen as leading to ruin. The cultural context would have reinforced that true prosperity and well-being stemmed from a covenantal relationship with the Creator, unlike the transient gains offered by pagan gods or self-sufficient human schemes.

Proverbs 14 27 Word analysis

• The fear of the Lord (יִרְאַת יְהוָה, yir'at YHWH): This foundational phrase refers to a deep, reverential awe, respect, and humble submission towards God, born from understanding His immense power, holiness, and just judgment. It is not a servile dread or terror, but a worshipful response that leads to obedience and departing from evil. This reverence for God is repeatedly presented in Proverbs as the very starting point and ongoing core of all true wisdom and knowledge. It implies a recognition of God's sovereignty over all creation and a desire to live in alignment with His will.
• is a fountain of life (מְקוֹר חַיִּים, meqor chayyim): A "fountain" (מָקוֹר, maqor) signifies a continuously flowing, abundant, and vital source. "Life" (חַיִּים, chayyim) encompasses not merely physical existence but also spiritual vitality, true prosperity, flourishing well-being, wholeness, health, and a dynamic relationship with God. Thus, the fear of the Lord is presented as the perennial spring from which genuine, abundant, and divine life constantly flows, providing sustenance and refreshment. This is in contrast to stagnant pools or fleeting human efforts.
• to turn one away from (לָסוּר, lasur): This verb means "to turn aside," "to depart from," "to avert oneself." It suggests an active, deliberate choice and movement. The "fountain of life" empowered by the fear of the Lord provides the wisdom, discernment, and moral strength necessary for an individual to consciously steer clear of destructive influences. It is not a passive protection but an active equipping for avoiding harm.
• the snares of death (מוֹקְשֵׁי מָוֶת, moqshēy mawet): "Snares" (מוֹקְשֵׁי, moqshey) are traps or nets, implying hidden dangers, enticements, or cunning plots designed to capture and destroy. They often represent tempting but destructive paths, immoral behaviors, foolish choices, or wicked individuals who lead astray. "Death" (מָוֶת, mawet) here extends beyond mere physical cessation to spiritual death, alienation from God, utter ruin, destruction of soul, and the ultimate consequence of sin. The phrase collectively denotes everything that leads to a state contrary to the flourishing "life" offered by the fear of the Lord, encompassing both temporal ruin and eternal separation.
• The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life: This phrase-group emphasizes that reverential awe toward God is not a burdensome religious duty but a wellspring of constant, revitalizing, and authentic existence. It is the direct spiritual input that produces comprehensive life, indicating an organic and continuous relationship where reverence for God brings forth vitality in every aspect.
• to turn one away from the snares of death: This phrase-group explains the practical, protective function of the fear of the Lord. The vitality and wisdom gained from fearing God provides discernment and strength, empowering individuals to recognize and deliberately move away from the tempting and ruinous traps that spiritual and moral folly sets, thus preserving their true "life" from "death." It underscores an active form of prevention rather than a reactive escape.

Proverbs 14 27 Bonus section

The "fear of the Lord" is not merely an initial step but an ongoing characteristic of a wise person's life, a continuous posture that shapes all decisions and actions. It encompasses both worshipful adoration for God's majesty and a solemn awareness of His holy nature and righteous judgment. This foundational concept in Proverbs also implies a profound trust and dependence on God, acknowledging His supremacy in all matters. In the Christian faith, this ultimate "fountain of life" is supremely manifested in Jesus Christ, who stated, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life" (Jn 14:6), and offers living water (Jn 7:38). Thus, the wisdom encapsulated in Proverbs 14:27 points towards the person of Christ as the ultimate source of deliverance from spiritual death and the giver of eternal life. The snares of death are overcome fully through faith in Him.

Proverbs 14 27 Commentary

Proverbs 14:27 articulates a core principle of biblical wisdom: that genuine reverence for God is the wellspring of profound, enduring life and acts as a potent shield against all forms of destruction. The "fear of the Lord" is depicted not as paralyzing dread, but as a living, dynamic reverence and humble obedience stemming from an understanding of God’s awesome nature. This posture towards God imbues life with continuous vitality and abundant meaning. It serves as a constantly flowing fountain, nourishing the individual in every aspect of their being – spiritually, morally, and often practically.

The protective aspect of this "fear" is equally vital. It provides the discernment and moral conviction needed to "turn away" from the "snares of death." These snares represent deceitful temptations, wicked schemes, and self-destructive behaviors that promise fleeting pleasure or gain but ultimately lead to ruin, isolation, and spiritual desolation. By actively cultivating a reverent awe of God, individuals gain the clarity and resolve to avoid these deadly traps. The verse therefore establishes a direct causal link: a life characterized by deep respect for God naturally flows with robust spiritual health and is powerfully preserved from pathways leading to destruction. This wisdom principle is universally applicable, demonstrating how centering one's life on God transforms one's capacity for right living and safeguards against detrimental choices, pointing toward salvation and true life in all its fullness.