Proverbs 28:25 kjv
He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.
Proverbs 28:25 nkjv
He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife, But he who trusts in the LORD will be prospered.
Proverbs 28:25 niv
The greedy stir up conflict, but those who trust in the LORD will prosper.
Proverbs 28:25 esv
A greedy man stirs up strife, but the one who trusts in the LORD will be enriched.
Proverbs 28:25 nlt
Greed causes fighting;
trusting the LORD leads to prosperity.
Proverbs 28 25 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 13:10 | "By pride comes nothing but strife, but with the humble is wisdom." | Pride's direct link to strife. |
| Prov 16:18 | "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." | Consequence of pride. |
| James 4:6 | "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." | God's stance against pride. |
| Prov 26:17 | "Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a dog by the ears." | On stirring up strife. |
| 2 Tim 2:23 | "Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels." | Avoiding quarrels. |
| Prov 3:5-6 | "Trust in the Lord with all your heart... He will make straight your paths." | Foundation of trust in God. |
| Ps 37:3-5 | "Trust in the Lord and do good... He will give you the desires of your heart." | Blessings for trusting God. |
| Jer 17:7-8 | "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord... He is like a tree planted by water..." | Metaphor for those trusting in God. |
| Is 26:3-4 | "You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." | Peace from trusting God. |
| Nah 1:7 | "The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him." | God as a refuge for the trusting. |
| Ps 84:11-12 | "For the Lord God is a sun and shield... No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly." | God's provision for the trusting. |
| Heb 10:35 | "Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward." | The reward of confidence/trust. |
| Ps 23:1 | "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." | God provides for His trusting sheep. |
| Phil 4:19 | "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." | God's comprehensive supply for believers. |
| Ps 34:9-10 | "Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing!" | God satisfies His loyal ones. |
| Ps 1:3 | "He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season." | Metaphor for prosperity of the righteous. |
| Matt 6:33 | "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." | Prioritizing God leads to provision. |
| Mal 3:10 | "Bring the full tithe into the storehouse... see if I will not open the windows of heaven for you." | God's promised blessing for obedience. |
| Ps 73:2-3, 16-17 | "My feet had almost stumbled... for I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked... until I went into the sanctuary of God." | Contrast with the proud's temporary prosperity. |
| Luke 12:15 | "Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." | Warning against covetousness/greed of the proud heart. |
| Ps 20:7 | "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God." | Source of true trust. |
| 1 Pet 5:6-7 | "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God... casting all your anxieties on him." | Humility and trust in God. |
| Prov 11:2 | "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom." | Parallel consequence of pride. |
Proverbs 28 verses
Proverbs 28 25 Meaning
Proverbs 28:25 reveals a profound spiritual truth by contrasting two distinct paths: a person driven by an inflated ego and greed will inevitably sow discord and contention, while a person who wholeheartedly trusts and relies on the Lord will experience true prosperity, peace, and spiritual well-being.
Proverbs 28 25 Context
Proverbs chapter 28 presents a series of insightful proverbs that often contrast the righteous and the wicked, highlighting their character, actions, and resulting destinies. The chapter frequently addresses themes such as leadership, justice, poverty, wealth, and diligence, juxtaposing godly living with corruption and sin. Within this context, verse 25 fits perfectly as it directly compares the internal disposition and outward behavior of a self-exalting, greedy individual against one who finds their security and provision in the Lord. It underpins the idea that true success and blessing do not stem from human effort or self-assertion, but from a humble, faithful reliance on God. The wisdom presented is practical for daily living in a society where power and wealth were often sought through ungodly means, emphasizing that God's way yields the true, lasting reward.
Proverbs 28 25 Word analysis
- He who is of a proud heart: Hebrew reḥav nefesh (רחב נפש), literally "wide of soul" or "broad of desire." This idiom describes a person with an expansive, inflated ego; someone characterized by greed, arrogance, self-centered ambition, and an insatiable desire for personal gain or glory. This 'width' implies unrestrained desires and a lack of moral or spiritual boundaries, leading to an overestimation of self and a disregard for others and for God's wisdom.
- stirs up strife: Hebrew yə‘orer midyan (יְעוֹרֵר מִדְיָן). Yə‘orer means "to awaken" or "to arouse," indicating an active instigation. Midyan refers to contention, dispute, quarrels, or litigation. Thus, the "proud heart" does not merely encounter strife but actively generates, provokes, and propagates conflict due to its self-serving nature and inability to concede or prioritize peace.
- but he who trusts in the Lord: Hebrew botēaḥ bAdonai (בוטח ביהוה). Bāṭaḥ signifies profound confidence, security, and firm reliance. It is a trusting surrender, a leaning fully upon Yahweh – His character, promises, and sovereignty. This trust is the opposite of self-reliance; it's a dependence on the one true God for security, provision, and guidance, acknowledging His ultimate authority and goodness.
- will be enriched: Hebrew yəduššan (יְדֻשָּׁן). Derived from the root dašen, meaning "to be fat," "to prosper," "to be abundantly supplied," "to flourish." This goes beyond mere material wealth to encompass a holistic well-being: spiritual vitality, inner peace, physical health, divine favor, contentment, and comprehensive abundance. It denotes a life made full and flourishing through God's blessings, contrasted with the emptiness and discord associated with pride.
Words-group analysis
- "He who is of a proud heart stirs up strife" vs. "but he who trusts in the Lord will be enriched": This forms a classic antithetical parallelism, a hallmark of wisdom literature. It presents two diametrically opposed characters, actions, and consequences. The first clause illustrates a life rooted in self and its inevitable byproduct of relational disharmony and lack. The second clause presents a life rooted in God and its guaranteed outcome of profound spiritual and often material flourishing. The contrast highlights the futility of human pride and the fruitfulness of divine reliance.
- "proud heart" and "trusts in the Lord": These phrases define the core distinction between the two individuals. "Proud heart" points to an internal state of self-sufficiency and ambition. "Trusts in the Lord" points to an internal state of humility and God-sufficiency. The proverb emphasizes that one's inner disposition fundamentally dictates one's outward reality.
- "stirs up strife" and "will be enriched": These are the opposing outcomes. Strife represents discord, poverty of relationships, and unrest. Enrichment represents prosperity, peace, spiritual flourishing, and divine favor. The consequence of living from a self-serving heart is conflict, whereas the outcome of living by faith in God is fullness.
Proverbs 28 25 Bonus section
The Hebrew term midyan for "strife" carries connotations not only of general quarrels but can also refer to legal disputes and litigation. This suggests that the prideful heart not only creates interpersonal conflict but may also lead to more formalized, destructive contentions, reflecting the severe disruption it causes. Conversely, the "enrichment" from trusting in the Lord encompasses divine protection from such detrimental entanglements, offering a life of secure and flourishing abundance that transcends fleeting material gains. This proverb thus subtly contrasts chaos and depletion stemming from self-interest with the profound peace and holistic supply that come from God-centered trust.
Proverbs 28 25 Commentary
Proverbs 28:25 encapsulates a fundamental principle of biblical wisdom: the source of one's ultimate prosperity and peace. It sharply distinguishes between self-reliance born of pride and God-reliance born of trust. A "proud heart" (a greedy, arrogant, or excessively ambitious person) is inherently unstable and generates conflict, not just outwardly but within. Such an individual, constantly striving for self-exaltation or material gain, will find themselves in a state of perpetual contention because their desires invariably clash with God's order and others' interests. This constant struggle hinders true blessing and leads to a life lacking inner peace and enduring abundance.
In stark contrast, the one who "trusts in the Lord" experiences true "enrichment." This trust is not passive hope but an active, confident reliance on God's character, promises, and provision. Such a person prioritizes God's will, relinquishes self-will, and acknowledges that ultimate fulfillment comes from divine favor, not human achievement or accumulation. This results in a comprehensive "enrichment" – not necessarily exorbitant wealth, but a profound and complete well-being, including spiritual vitality, contentment, inner peace, security, and all necessary provisions, making them truly prosperous in God's eyes. The proverb serves as a call to humble dependence on God, assuring that His way is the path to lasting fulfillment and true blessedness.