Proverbs 3:29 kjv

Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.

Proverbs 3:29 nkjv

Do not devise evil against your neighbor, For he dwells by you for safety's sake.

Proverbs 3:29 niv

Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you.

Proverbs 3:29 esv

Do not plan evil against your neighbor, who dwells trustingly beside you.

Proverbs 3:29 nlt

Don't plot harm against your neighbor,
for those who live nearby trust you.

Proverbs 3 verses

Proverbs 3 29 Meaning

Proverbs 3:29 commands against conceiving or preparing harm against a neighbor who relies on your good faith. It underscores the profound moral and spiritual transgression involved in betraying someone's trust, particularly when they dwell securely alongside you, expecting no malice. This verse promotes ethical conduct and community harmony by condemning deceit and premeditated wickedness towards those who are vulnerable or unwary within one's proximity.

Proverbs 3 29 Context

Proverbs chapter 3 is a comprehensive discourse on the value and practical benefits of wisdom. It begins by exhorting the reader to trust in the Lord with all their heart (v. 5-6), followed by various admonitions on righteous living, including honoring God with possessions (v. 9-10), accepting His discipline (v. 11-12), and finding incomparable treasure in wisdom itself (v. 13-18). Verses 27-35 shift focus specifically to ethical conduct in interpersonal relationships, stressing generosity, integrity, peace, and avoidance of strife and envy. Verse 29, therefore, fits squarely within this larger section on relational ethics, immediately after warning against withholding good from those to whom it is due (v. 27-28) and before forbidding quarrel with a neighbor without cause (v. 30). The historical and cultural context of ancient Israel placed a high premium on communal harmony and neighborly relations, especially within villages where proximity and interdependence were vital. Betrayal of trust, particularly within one's immediate dwelling, was seen as a grave offense that destabilized the community's fabric and contradicted the spirit of the Law given by God.

Proverbs 3 29 Word analysis

• Do not plan evil: The Hebrew word for "plan" is takharosh (תַּחֲרֹשׁ), derived from a root meaning "to engrave," "to plough," or "to fashion." This implies not merely a fleeting thought, but a deliberate, considered plotting or devising of harm, much like engraving a design or tilling a field for a specific purpose. It indicates premeditation, moving beyond mere reactive anger to a cold, calculating intent to inflict damage. "Evil" here is ra', signifying general moral wrong or calamity. This word condemns not just the action but the malevolent intent itself.
• against your neighbor: The Hebrew re'eka (רֵעֶךָ) signifies a close associate, friend, companion, or fellow human being within one's community, not necessarily limited to someone living next door. It denotes a person with whom one has interaction and perhaps a social bond. This phrase emphasizes the relationship's betrayal; it's not harm against a stranger, but someone presumed to be on amicable terms.
• for he dwells trustingly: The Hebrew words are yoshev betakh (יֹושֵׁב בְטַח). Yoshev means "to sit," "to dwell," or "to abide." Betakh comes from the root batach (בטח), meaning "to trust," "to be secure," "to have confidence." This powerfully portrays the neighbor's state: they are settled, secure, and vulnerable because they place their trust in the environment and people around them, including you. This trust makes the planned evil even more heinous, as it exploits a foundational sense of safety and good faith.

Words-group analysis

• Do not plan evil against your neighbor: This phrase stresses the origin of sin in the heart and mind, not just outward actions. The focus is on the malevolent intent and premeditated design. It serves as a strong ethical boundary against mental complicity in harm, consistent with divine law which judges the heart (Prov 21:2, Jer 17:10). This contrasts sharply with God's commands to "devise good" (Prov 14:22).
• for he dwells trustingly beside you: This clause provides the justification and severity for the prohibition. It highlights the profound breach of trust and the moral despicable nature of preying upon the innocent security of another. The neighbor's vulnerable, unsuspecting state elevates the offense from mere wrongdoing to a heinous betrayal, violating the sacred implicit compact of communal living where security and mutual respect are foundational. This condition amplifies the culpability of the one planning evil.

Proverbs 3 29 Bonus section

This proverb can be understood as a specific application of the broader wisdom principle that one should not repay good with evil, or act deceitfully where trust is implied. The "neighbor" in ancient Near Eastern context could extend to anyone within one's sphere of influence or shared community, not just a literal next-door resident. The act of "planning evil" also implies a calculated, cold-hearted wickedness rather than an act of impulsive anger, making it particularly abhorrent from a wisdom perspective, as wisdom emphasizes foresight and deliberation for good outcomes, not ill. This verse forms part of a consistent biblical theme that calls for an ethic of neighborly love, respect, and non-violence, rooted in the character of God who Himself is righteous and just.

Proverbs 3 29 Commentary

Proverbs 3:29 articulates a fundamental principle of ethical interaction: do not scheme to harm those who, by their very dwelling alongside you, implicitly extend their trust. This proverb delves beyond mere action to condemn the very intention or preparation of malice in the heart. The offense is magnified by the neighbor's unsuspecting posture; they live securely, relying on the presumption of peace and good will, rendering them particularly vulnerable to premeditated treachery. To devise evil against such a one is to exploit their innocence and betray the foundational covenant of trust that enables peaceful coexistence. This act violates the divine law to "love your neighbor as yourself," illustrating how a failure to love manifests in deceptive and injurious schemes. It calls believers to cultivate inner integrity and righteousness, ensuring that their thoughts and intentions are pure and benevolent, especially towards those closest to them, for God weighs the heart.