Proverbs 25:26 kjv

A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.

Proverbs 25:26 nkjv

A righteous man who falters before the wicked Is like a murky spring and a polluted well.

Proverbs 25:26 niv

Like a muddied spring or a polluted well are the righteous who give way to the wicked.

Proverbs 25:26 esv

Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.

Proverbs 25:26 nlt

If the godly give in to the wicked,
it's like polluting a fountain or muddying a spring.

Proverbs 25 verses

Proverbs 25 26 Meaning

Proverbs 25:26 teaches that a righteous person who gives way or yields to the wicked is likened to a defiled or polluted source of water—a trampled spring or a corrupt well. This analogy conveys that just as a source of vital, pure water becomes unusable and harmful when contaminated, so too does a righteous individual lose their moral integrity, positive influence, and ability to be a spiritual guide or refreshing presence when they compromise their convictions or capitulate to the influence or demands of the unrighteous. Their fall discredits their righteousness and renders them unable to stand for truth or righteousness.

Proverbs 25 26 Context

Proverbs chapter 25 consists of a collection of proverbs "copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah." These sayings offer practical wisdom for navigating various aspects of life, addressing issues of justice, integrity, leadership, communication, and human nature. Like many proverbs, verse 26 uses vivid imagery, drawing from common ancient Near Eastern experiences, such as the critical importance of clean water. In an arid land, a pure spring or well was indispensable for survival, signifying life, blessing, and health. A contaminated one, however, brought sickness and despair. The verse presents a powerful antithesis, highlighting the profound moral danger when a person expected to uphold justice and righteousness fails to stand firm against evil, thereby corrupting their very essence and impact. It emphasizes the societal impact of individual integrity, as the righteousness of a person should serve as a source of good for others.

Proverbs 25 26 Word analysis

• A righteous man: (Hebrew: צַדִּיק, tsaddiq) This term denotes someone who is just, upright, vindicated by God, and whose actions align with divine standards. In the context of the Bible, it refers not merely to moral good deeds but to one in right standing with God. Their role in society is often as a moral compass or a source of ethical example.
• falling down: (Hebrew: מוּט, mûṭ) This key verb means to slip, waver, shake, or totter. In this context, it primarily conveys "giving way," "yielding," "capitulating," or "being moved from one's stand." It does not necessarily imply a complete moral collapse or sinful act in itself, but rather a compromising of principles or a failure to stand firm against pressure from external forces. It is a loss of steadfastness.
• before the wicked: (Hebrew: לִפְנֵי רָשָׁע, lipne rasha') "Before" indicates a confrontation or a situation where the righteous is under the influence, pressure, or scrutiny of the ungodly (rasha' - wicked, unrighteous, lawless, guilty). The rasha' seeks their own advantage, often through manipulation, oppression, or injustice. To "fall down before" them means to be intimidated, silenced, or compelled to act against one's righteous convictions by the wicked.
• is as: (Hebrew: כְּ, kᵉ) This is a comparative particle, indicating a simile. The subsequent images provide the comparison for the situation described.
• a troubled fountain: (Hebrew: מַעְיָן נִרְפָּס, ma'yan nirpas) A ma'yan is a natural spring, a constant, often revered source of fresh, flowing water. Nirpas means "trodden down," "trampled," or "muddied." This depicts external interference causing the spring's purity to be disturbed and made turbid, rendering its water unusable and potentially dangerous. The clear, life-giving flow is disrupted and corrupted.
• and a corrupt spring: (Hebrew: בְּאֵר מָשְׁחֶתֶת, bᵉ'er mashḥethеt) A bᵉ'er is a well, a dug source of water. Mashḥethеt means "corrupted," "spoiled," "defiled," or "destroyed." While "troubled fountain" might suggest a temporary external defilement, "corrupt spring/well" suggests a deeper, more inherent or pervasive pollution, making it completely useless or even toxic. It highlights a loss of original purity.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "A righteous man falling down before the wicked": This phrase captures the active nature of the yielding. It is not an accidental stumble but a decision or concession made under pressure from those who oppose righteousness. It implies a moral weakening, a loss of resolve, or a failure to uphold truth and justice when confronted by evil. The consequence is not just personal, but it undermines the very societal function of the righteous.
• "is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring": This simile draws a powerful parallel between essential life-sustaining water and the integrity of a righteous person. Water is symbolic of life, truth, and purity in Scripture. When a righteous person, who should be a source of clear moral guidance and integrity for others, compromises, they become like polluted water. Such a source is no longer refreshing, trustworthy, or life-giving; instead, it causes harm, disappointment, and moral confusion for those who depend on it.

Proverbs 25 26 Bonus section

The Hebrew terms ma'yan nirpas (trampled fountain) and bᵉ'er mashḥethеt (corrupt well) offer distinct nuances. A "trampled fountain" often suggests external interference – someone deliberately treading on or disturbing a natural, pure flow, making it murky. This can represent the righteous person being forcefully silenced, intimidated, or coerced into acting against their nature. The "corrupt well," however, implies a more systemic or inherent defilement; perhaps the well itself is stagnant, or what's drawn from it has become toxic due to internal processes or longstanding neglect. This could point to a righteous person allowing persistent compromise or unaddressed sin to spoil their inner purity over time. Both images underscore that a defiled source, regardless of the cause, is no longer capable of fulfilling its life-giving purpose, impacting not just the individual but also those who would rely on their moral clarity and steadfastness.

Proverbs 25 26 Commentary

Proverbs 25:26 is a profound warning against compromise for the believer. A righteous individual is meant to be a beacon of light, a source of truth, and an example of integrity in a darkened world. Their very presence should challenge evil and uphold justice. However, when such a person yields to the pressures, intimidation, or influence of the wicked—whether by silence, capitulation, or complicity—their essence is corrupted. They become like a trampled spring, where the purity of their witness is muddled by worldly entanglement, or a poisoned well, where their once reliable moral clarity is defiled, rendering them useless and potentially detrimental to those who look to them for guidance or refreshment. This loss of moral fortitude not only dishonors God but also denies society a necessary and reliable source of good, leaving it without clear spiritual nourishment. The impact of their compromise is far-reaching, polluting the moral landscape they were meant to sanctify.

For example, when a leader who preaches integrity quietly condones corruption within their ranks to maintain power, or when a follower of Christ silences their convictions to fit in with ungodly peers, they become that "muddied spring." Their compromise, even if not an outright sinful act in itself, diminishes their spiritual authority and discredits the truth they claim to embody.