Proverbs 3:26 kjv
For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
Proverbs 3:26 nkjv
For the LORD will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being caught.
Proverbs 3:26 niv
for the LORD will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared.
Proverbs 3:26 esv
for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.
Proverbs 3:26 nlt
for the LORD is your security.
He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.
Proverbs 3 26 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ps 27:1 | The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? | Trust in God dispels all fear. |
| Ps 91:3-4 | He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence... | God delivers from traps and hidden dangers. |
| Ps 91:11-12 | For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot... | Divine protection guides and keeps one's path. |
| Ps 118:8 | It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. | God is the most reliable source of trust. |
| Ps 121:3 | He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber. | God's vigilant care prevents stumbling. |
| 1 Sam 2:9 | He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness... | God's specific protection for His devoted ones. |
| Isa 12:2 | "Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid..." | God as the basis for fearless trust and security. |
| Isa 41:10 | Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God... | God's active presence removes fear and dismay. |
| Jer 17:7-8 | Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD... he is like a tree planted by water... | Blessings and deep stability for the God-trusting. |
| Nah 1:7 | The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him. | God is a reliable refuge in times of trouble. |
| Phil 4:6-7 | Do not be anxious about anything... and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts... | God's peace guards against anxiety. |
| Heb 13:6 | So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear..." | Assurance of God's help eliminates fear. |
| Jude 1:24 | Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory... | God's power to prevent spiritual falls. |
| Deut 31:6 | Be strong and courageous... For the LORD your God is He who goes with you... | God's accompanying presence brings strength and courage. |
| Ps 37:23-24 | The steps of a good man are established by the LORD... though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down... | God directs steps and sustains during falls. |
| Ps 112:7 | He will not fear bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD. | Heart remains stable through trust in God. |
| Jn 14:27 | Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives... | Christ's distinctive peace calms the soul. |
| 2 Tim 1:7 | For God gave us a spirit not of fear, but of power and love and self-control. | God's Spirit provides inner strength over fear. |
| 1 Cor 10:13 | God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability... | God's faithfulness provides limits and an escape from trials. |
| Ps 4:8 | In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. | Safe and peaceful rest from God's presence. |
| Ps 9:15 | The nations have sunk in the pit that they made; in the net that they hid, their own foot has been caught. | Contrast: The wicked are ensnared by their own schemes. |
| Prov 4:19 | The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble. | Contrast: The wicked stumble aimlessly. |
Proverbs 3 verses
Proverbs 3 26 Meaning
The verse offers a powerful assurance to those who trust in the LORD: God Himself becomes their ultimate source of security and unwavering confidence. He pledges active protection over their path in life, guarding them from sudden, unseen dangers and snares that could otherwise cause them to stumble or fall. This divine safeguard liberates believers from the grip of fear, allowing them to walk in peace.
Proverbs 3 26 Context
Proverbs chapter 3 commences with a fatherly appeal to embrace wisdom and God's instructions as a source of long life, peace, favor, and spiritual and physical health. It extols the virtues of completely trusting in the LORD rather than human understanding (vv. 5-6). The surrounding verses in Proverbs 3 outline various facets of righteous living: honoring God with one's wealth, embracing discipline, loving others, and avoiding envy of evildoers. Verses 21-26 specifically constitute a promise of security and fearlessness for those who hold fast to wisdom and discernment. Our verse, Proverbs 3:26, serves as the reason why one should not be afraid of "sudden terror" or "the ruin of the wicked," as exhorted in the immediate preceding verse (v. 25). The historical and cultural backdrop of ancient Israel means the imagery of a "snare" or "trap" would have been a very tangible danger in both daily life and wilderness travel, making the promise of protection resonate deeply with the original audience.
Proverbs 3 26 Word analysis
- For (כִּֽי- Ki): A particle acting as a causal conjunction, introducing the reason or explanation for the exhortation given in the previous verse (to not fear sudden terror). It solidifies the truth presented.
- the LORD (יְהוָ֣ה YHWH): This refers to the covenant Name of God, emphasizing His eternal, personal, and relational nature. The use of YHWH signifies the specific, active, and faithful involvement of the God of Israel.
- will be (הָיָ֣ה hayah): The Hebrew verb "to be" implies a continuous and active state. It emphasizes that God is not merely a source of confidence but embodies confidence itself for the believer, in an ongoing manner.
- your confidence (מִבְטַ֣ח mivṭaḥ): This noun is crucial, meaning "security," "trust," or "the ground/object of confidence." It signifies that God Himself is the solid, unwavering foundation and the ultimate basis upon which one places absolute reliance. It's an assurance rooted in God's nature, not an internal feeling.
- and will keep (וְשָׁמַ֖ר wəšāmar): To guard, preserve, watch over, protect diligently. This verb denotes proactive and vigilant safeguarding, indicating God's attentive care over His followers.
- your foot (רַגְלְךָ raḡ·lə·ḵā): While literally the anatomical foot, this is often a metaphor for one's life path, walk, conduct, progress, or stability. A protected foot suggests one is preserved from stumbling, falling, or veering into destructive ways.
- from being caught (מִלֶּ֣כֶד miLleḵeḏ): From leked, meaning "snare," "trap," or "net." This imagery evokes hidden, unforeseen dangers designed to trip up, entangle, or trap. It refers to subtle pitfalls, temptations, deceptions, or sudden adversities.
- "the LORD will be your confidence": This powerful phrase means that YHWH is not just someone you can trust, but He is the very object and guarantee of your trust. This fundamentally contrasts with finding security in human wisdom, material possessions, or false gods, pointing solely to God as the source of unwavering stability.
- "will keep your foot from being caught": This speaks to God's precise and personal intervention in one's life journey. It implies protection not only from overt dangers but also from insidious, deceptive traps that might lead to a spiritual, moral, or physical downfall. It promises that one's path will be safeguarded from unforeseen pitfalls.
Proverbs 3 26 Bonus section
The word for "confidence" (mivṭaḥ) suggests a stronghold or place of refuge, signifying an objective, unshakeable reality rather than just a subjective feeling. This term underscores that God provides a steadfast and unyielding foundation for one's life, directly challenging any reliance on idols or human wisdom which ultimately prove to be fleeting and deceptive. The imagery of a "snare" was very practical in ancient Near Eastern daily life, used by hunters and in warfare, symbolizing sudden, unexpected capture and loss of freedom. Thus, God's promise is profoundly practical: He keeps the believer's progress from being abruptly and disastrously halted by unseen dangers, whether physical or spiritual, allowing for continued forward motion on the path of righteousness.
Proverbs 3 26 Commentary
Proverbs 3:26 stands as a divine promise and comfort, following directly from the instruction not to fear. It shifts focus from merely suppressing fear to actively embracing the Person who conquers it: the LORD. God is presented not just as one who grants confidence, but as the very essence and embodiment of that confidence. For those who choose to fully trust Him, God Himself becomes their impregnable fortress. The metaphor of keeping the "foot from being caught" speaks to God's vigilant guardianship over the smallest details of our life's journey, safeguarding us from subtle snares—whether they be moral temptations, financial traps, or unexpected adversities—that could otherwise lead to a painful stumble or a destructive fall. This promise assures a protected walk through life's inherent dangers, a tranquility born not of naïveté but of a deep, unwavering reliance on a faithful God. For example, when facing significant career decisions or overwhelming health challenges, this verse encourages believers to ground their decisions in divine trust, knowing God protects their overall direction and prevents them from walking into ruinous traps.