Proverbs 29:25 kjv

The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

Proverbs 29:25 nkjv

The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe.

Proverbs 29:25 niv

Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.

Proverbs 29:25 esv

The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe.

Proverbs 29:25 nlt

Fearing people is a dangerous trap,
but trusting the LORD means safety.

Proverbs 29 verses

Proverbs 29 25 Meaning

Proverbs 29:25 presents a sharp contrast between two distinct approaches to life and their inevitable outcomes. Fearing humans, concerning oneself primarily with their opinions, threats, or influence, inevitably leads to a trap or entanglement, restricting one's freedom and potentially compromising one's principles. Conversely, placing complete reliance and trust in the sovereign God provides unshakeable security, elevation above danger, and true safety from all snares. It emphasizes that the foundation of security lies not in human approval or avoiding human disapproval, but in faithful dependence on the Almighty.

Proverbs 29 25 Context

Proverbs 29:25 stands within a chapter that frequently contrasts the righteous with the wicked, highlighting the consequences of various actions and attitudes, especially those related to leadership and public interaction. The chapter emphasizes the importance of divine wisdom over human manipulation or folly. Specifically, it contrasts two opposing attitudes: fearing man and trusting in God. In an ancient society where social reputation, human favor, and the authority of rulers held immense weight, the temptation to compromise one's integrity for the sake of human approval or to avoid human retribution was strong. This proverb directly addresses that tension, teaching that true security and freedom come from an exclusive trust in God, rather than bowing to the pressures or threats of human society. It warns against placing one's ultimate concern in what others might think or do, framing such a mindset as a spiritual and practical trap, while promoting absolute confidence in the divine as the path to an elevated and protected life.

Proverbs 29 25 Word analysis

• The fear of man: (Hebrew: pachad 'adam פחד אדם)
  • Fear: Pachad signifies dread, terror, or debilitating anxiety. It is distinct from yirah, which implies reverential awe. This is a negative, servile fear that can paralyze or compel one to act contrary to conviction.
  • Man: Adam refers to humanity, people in general.
  • Significance: This phrase points to an unhealthy preoccupation with human opinion, judgment, disapproval, or potential harm from others. It is the anxiety-driven impulse to please people or avoid their displeasure, often at the expense of divine truth or personal integrity. This "fear" acts as an internal pressure leading to compromise.
• brings a snare: (Hebrew: yitēn moqēsh יתן מוקש)
  • Brings: Yitēn (from natan) means "gives" or "places." It conveys direct cause and effect.
  • Snare: Moqēsh denotes a trap, net, or lure, typically used to capture animals.
  • Significance: The fear of man is not just an emotion; it actively leads one into difficult or dangerous situations. These "snares" can be moral compromises, spiritual captivity, poor decision-making under duress, loss of spiritual freedom, or entanglements that bind a person to the dictates of human opinion rather than divine will. It's a predicament from which escape is difficult without divine intervention.
• but whoever trusts: (Hebrew: wĕbotēach ובוטח)
  • Trusts: Botēach (from batach) means to place confidence in, to rely upon, to feel secure or confident in something. It implies a leaning upon, a deliberate act of putting one's full weight and dependence on another. It suggests active reliance, not passive hope.
  • Significance: This highlights an active, intentional, and exclusive reliance on God, choosing to rest fully in His character, promises, and power. It stands in stark contrast to the shifting, unreliable foundation of human approval or disapproval.
• in the LORD: (Hebrew: bîHWH ביהוה)
  • The LORD: YHWH (Yahweh) is the personal, covenantal name of God, revealing His faithful, unchanging, and active presence.
  • Significance: This emphasizes that the object of trust is not merely some vague deity or an impersonal force, but the specific, covenant-keeping God of Israel. Trusting in YHWH means relying on His known attributes: His sovereignty, faithfulness, wisdom, and power. This makes the security concrete and divinely assured.
• shall be safe: (Hebrew: yiśgāḇ ישגב)
  • Safe: Yiśgāḇ (from sagab) means to be high, exalted, inaccessible, or to be set in a high place beyond reach. It implies security and invincibility, often translated as "stronghold" or "refuge."
  • Significance: This indicates a divine elevation and protection. One who trusts in the LORD is not just generally "safe," but placed in a divinely guarded position that is too high for attack. This refers to ultimate security, being made spiritually and existentially secure, protected from the very snares and dangers that the fear of man brings. It speaks of a steadfastness and an unassailable position in God's presence, rather than mere physical immunity from harm.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "The fear of man brings a snare": This phrase succinctly captures the cause-and-effect relationship between human-centered anxiety and spiritual or moral entrapment. It portrays the immediate and direct consequence of valuing human opinion above divine truth, leading one into predicaments that compromise faith and integrity. It is a warning against external pressures dictating internal choices.
• "but whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe": This contrasting clause offers the divinely ordained solution and its positive outcome. It is a powerful affirmation that absolute reliance on God is the sole antidote to the bondage caused by the fear of man. It promises a secure, protected, and exalted state, a divine refuge that shields one from the very pitfalls and compromises the world might impose.

Proverbs 29 25 Bonus section

The contrast in this proverb highlights a central theme throughout the Bible: the difference between worldly wisdom and divine wisdom. Fearing man is a characteristic of worldly wisdom, seeking to navigate life by human-centric concerns and solutions, which inevitably leads to traps and suffering. Trusting in the LORD is the hallmark of divine wisdom, understanding that true security and guidance come from God alone, resulting in genuine safety and flourishing. This verse serves as a litmus test for allegiance—who do we truly fear, and in whom do we truly place our confidence? It is a call to recalibrate our inner compass to God's standard, acknowledging Him as our ultimate authority and refuge.

Proverbs 29 25 Commentary

Proverbs 29:25 powerfully presents a fundamental choice that defines one's spiritual and practical trajectory: will one be governed by human pressures or divine trust? The "fear of man" refers not to a healthy respect, but a paralyzing dread or an undue deference to others' opinions and expectations. This attitude leads one into a "snare"—a state of compromise, moral entanglement, or even physical danger, as one contorts their behavior or beliefs to avoid disapproval or seek favor from others. This snare often manifests in indecisiveness, silence when truth should be spoken, or abandoning principles under social or political pressure.

The proverb then provides the profound antidote: complete reliance on "the LORD." This trust (batach) is an active, confident leaning on God's character, promises, and sovereign power. It’s an internal conviction that God is utterly reliable. The result of such trust is not just casual safety, but being yisgav – elevated and placed in an unassailable high place, a divine stronghold. This signifies complete security and protection, not necessarily from every difficulty, but from ultimate harm and from the entrapments that flow from the fear of man. This divine safeguard liberates believers to live according to God's will, free from the enslaving grip of human validation or threats. It highlights that true freedom comes only from an unqualified confidence in God.

• Example 1: A Christian student is tempted to cheat on an exam because peers pressure him and he fears failing. Fearing academic and peer disapproval "brings a snare" of dishonesty. Trusting in the LORD for His provision and the peace of a clear conscience allows him to "be safe" and uphold his integrity.
• Example 2: An employee feels pressure to compromise ethical standards in business to keep a job. Fearing job loss (fear of man) "brings a snare" of moral compromise. Trusting in the LORD for true provision allows them to stand firm and "be safe" in their righteousness.