Proverbs 29:25
New International Version
Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.

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

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

Berean Standard Bible
The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is set securely on high.

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

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

New American Standard Bible
The fear of man brings a snare, But one who trusts in the LORD will be protected.

NASB 1995
The fear of man brings a snare, But he who trusts in the LORD will be exalted.

NASB 1977
The fear of man brings a snare, But he who trusts in the LORD will be exalted.

Legacy Standard Bible
Trembling before man brings a snare, But he who trusts in Yahweh will be set securely on high.

Amplified Bible
The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in and puts his confidence in the LORD will be exalted and safe.

Christian Standard Bible
The fear of mankind is a snare, but the one who trusts in the LORD is protected.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The fear of man is a snare, but the one who trusts in the LORD is protected.

American Standard Version
The fear of man bringeth a snare; But whoso putteth his trust in Jehovah shall be safe.

Contemporary English Version
Don't fall into the trap of being a coward--trust the LORD, and you will be safe.

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

GOD'S WORD® Translation
A person's fear sets a trap [for him], but one who trusts the LORD is safe.

Good News Translation
It is dangerous to be concerned with what others think of you, but if you trust the LORD, you are safe.

International Standard Version
Fearing any human being is a trap, but confiding in the LORD keeps anyone safe.

Majority Standard Bible
The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is set securely on high.

NET Bible
The fear of people becomes a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD will be set on high.

New Heart English Bible
The fear of man proves to be a snare, but whoever puts his trust in the LORD will be set on high.

Webster's Bible Translation
The fear of man bringeth a snare: but he who putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

World English Bible
The fear of man proves to be a snare, but whoever puts his trust in Yahweh is kept safe.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Fear of man causes a snare, "" And the confident in YHWH is set on high.

Young's Literal Translation
Fear of man causeth a snare, And the confident in Jehovah is set on high.

Smith's Literal Translation
The fear of man will give a snare: and he trusting in Jehovah shall be exalted.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
He that feareth man, shall quickly fall: he that trusteth in the Lord, shall be set on high.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Whoever fears man will quickly fall. Whoever hopes in the Lord shall be lifted up.

New American Bible
Fear of others becomes a snare, but the one who trusts in the LORD is safe.

New Revised Standard Version
The fear of others lays a snare, but one who trusts in the LORD is secure.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The iniquity of a man becomes a stumblingblock to him; but he who puts his trust in the LORD shall become strong.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The evil of a man makes him a scandal and he that trusts upon LORD JEHOVAH will prevail.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The fear of man bringeth a snare; But whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be set up on high.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
they fearing and reverencing men unreasonably have been overthrown, but he that trusts in the Lord shall rejoice. Ungodliness causes a man to stumble: but he that trusts in his master shall be safe.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Stiff-Necked will Be Destroyed
24A partner to a thief hates his own soul; he receives the oath, but does not testify. 25The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is set securely on high. 26Many seek the ruler’s favor, but a man receives justice from the LORD.…

Cross References
Psalm 56:3-4
When I am afraid, I put my trust in You. / In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust. I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

Isaiah 41:10
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Jeremiah 17:7-8
But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him. / He is like a tree planted by the waters that sends out its roots toward the stream. It does not fear when the heat comes, and its leaves are always green. It does not worry in a year of drought, nor does it cease to produce fruit.

Psalm 118:8-9
It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. / It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes.

Matthew 10:28
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

Psalm 27:1
Of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—whom shall I dread?

Hebrews 13:6
So we say with confidence: “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”

1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. The one who fears has not been perfected in love.

Psalm 34:4
I sought the LORD, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears.

Romans 8:31
What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Psalm 146:3-5
Put not your trust in princes, in mortal man, who cannot save. / When his spirit departs, he returns to the ground; on that very day his plans perish. / Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God,

2 Timothy 1:7
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.

Psalm 112:7
He does not fear bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.

Philippians 4:6-7
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. / And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Isaiah 12:2
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. For the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and He also has become my salvation.”


Treasury of Scripture

The fear of man brings a snare: but whoever puts his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

fear

Genesis 12:11-13
And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter into Egypt, that he said unto Sarai his wife, Behold now, I know that thou art a fair woman to look upon: …

Genesis 20:2,11
And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah…

Genesis 26:7
And the men of the place asked him of his wife; and he said, She is my sister: for he feared to say, She is my wife; lest, said he, the men of the place should kill me for Rebekah; because she was fair to look upon.

whoso

Proverbs 16:20
He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.

Proverbs 18:10
The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

Proverbs 30:5
Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

safe

Psalm 69:29
But I am poor and sorrowful: let thy salvation, O God, set me up on high.

Psalm 91:14
Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

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Proverbs 29
1. observations of public government
15. and of private
22. Of anger, pride, thievery, cowardice and corruption














The fear of man
The phrase "The fear of man" refers to the anxiety or apprehension that arises from concern about what others think or might do. In Hebrew, the word for "fear" is "yir'ah," which can denote both reverence and terror. Historically, this fear has been a significant theme throughout the Bible, as seen in the lives of figures like Saul, who feared the people's opinion more than God's command (1 Samuel 15:24). This fear can lead to compromise and a departure from God's will, as it places human opinion above divine instruction.

is a snare
The term "snare" in Hebrew is "moqesh," which refers to a trap or a noose used for capturing animals. In a spiritual sense, it symbolizes anything that entangles or ensnares a person, leading them away from righteousness. The imagery of a snare suggests that the fear of man can capture and control an individual, preventing them from acting freely and according to God's will. Historically, snares were hidden and subtle, much like the insidious nature of fearing human opinion.

but whoever trusts in the LORD
The word "trusts" comes from the Hebrew "batach," which conveys a sense of confidence, security, and reliance. Trusting in the LORD implies a deep, unwavering faith in God's character and promises. Throughout Scripture, trust in God is portrayed as the antidote to fear, as seen in the lives of Daniel, David, and other biblical figures who faced adversity with confidence in God's protection and provision. This trust is not passive but active, requiring a conscious decision to place one's confidence in God rather than in human approval.

is set securely on high
The phrase "set securely on high" translates the Hebrew "sagab," which means to be exalted or lifted up. This imagery suggests safety, protection, and elevation above danger. In the ancient Near Eastern context, high places were often seen as secure locations, away from threats. Spiritually, being "set securely on high" implies that those who trust in the LORD are elevated above the fears and anxieties that plague those who rely on human approval. This security is not just physical but also emotional and spiritual, providing peace and assurance in God's sovereignty.

(25) The fear of man bringeth a snare.--Even, it may be, the loss of eternal life. (Comp. Matthew 10:28; John 12:25.)

Verse 25. - The fear of man bringeth a snare. He who, through fear of what man may do to him, think or say of him, does what he knows to be wrong, lets his moral cowardice lead him into sin, leaves duty undone, - such a man gets no real good from his weakness, outrages conscience, displeases God. See our Lord's words (Matthew 10:28; Mark 8:38; and comp. Isaiah 51:12, etc). Whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe (Proverbs 18:10). Such trust carries a man safe through all dangers; fearing to offend God, living as always under his eye, he feels Divine protection, and knows that whatever happens is for the best. The LXX. joins this to the preceding verse, thus: "He who shareth with a thief hateth his own soul; and if, when an oath is offered, they who hear it give, no information, they fearing and reverencing men, are overthrown, but he that trusteth in the Lord shall rejoice." They add another rendering of the last verse, "Ungodliness causeth a man to stumble, but he who trusts in the Lord (ἐπὶ τῷ δεσπότῃ 2 Peter 2:1) shall be saved." Δεσπότης is used for Jehovah in the New Testament, e.g., Luke 2:29; Acts 4:24.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The fear
חֶרְדַּ֣ת (ḥer·daṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 2731: Trembling, fear, anxiety

of man
אָ֭דָם (’ā·ḏām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being

is
יִתֵּ֣ן (yit·tên)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

a snare,
מוֹקֵ֑שׁ (mō·w·qêš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4170: A bait or lure, a snare

but whoever trusts
וּבוֹטֵ֖חַ (ū·ḇō·w·ṭê·aḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 982: To trust, be confident, sure

in the LORD
בַּיהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh)
Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

will be set securely on high.
יְשֻׂגָּֽב׃ (yə·śug·gāḇ)
Verb - Pual - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7682: To be, lofty, inaccessible, safe, strong


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 29:25 The fear of man proves to be (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 29:24
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