for the LORD
The phrase "for the LORD" refers to Yahweh, the covenant name of God in the Hebrew Bible. This name emphasizes God's eternal existence and His faithfulness to His promises. In the context of Proverbs, it underscores the personal relationship between God and His people. The LORD is not a distant deity but an active participant in the lives of those who trust Him. Historically, this name was revealed to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:14), signifying God's unchanging nature and His commitment to His people.

will be your confidence
The Hebrew word for "confidence" here is "kesel," which can also mean security or trust. This word conveys a sense of safety and assurance that comes from relying on God. In the ancient Near Eastern context, where life was often uncertain and perilous, having the LORD as one's confidence meant having a steadfast anchor amidst life's storms. This assurance is not based on human strength or wisdom but on the character and promises of God. Scripturally, this echoes the sentiment found in Psalm 118:8, "It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man."

and will keep your foot
The imagery of "keeping your foot" suggests guidance and protection. In biblical times, walking was the primary mode of transportation, and the terrain could be treacherous. The phrase implies that God provides direction and stability, preventing one from stumbling. This is reminiscent of Psalm 121:3, "He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber." It highlights God's active role in safeguarding His people as they navigate the path of life.

from the snare
The "snare" refers to traps or dangers that one might encounter. In the Hebrew, the word "pach" is used, which denotes a trap set for catching animals. Metaphorically, it represents the various spiritual, moral, and physical dangers that can ensnare a person. In the wisdom literature of the Bible, such as Proverbs, snares often symbolize the pitfalls of sin and folly. The assurance that God will keep one's foot from the snare is a promise of divine protection against these threats. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of God as a deliverer, as seen in Psalm 91:3, "Surely He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly plague."

Verse 26. - Thy confidence (v'kis'leka); literally, as thy confidence. Kesel, primarily "loin" or "flank," as in Leviticus 3:14; Leviticus 10:15; Job 15:27, is apparently used here in its secondary meaning of "confidence," "hope," as in Job 8:14; Job 31:24; Psalm 78:7. The בְ (v') prefixed is what is usually termed the בְ essentiae, or בְ pleonasticum (equivalent to the Latin tanquam, "as"), and serves to emphasize the connection between the predicate "thy confidence" and the subject "Jehovah" (cf. Exodus 18:4; see Ewaht, 'Lehrb.,' 217, f.; and Gesenius, 'Gram.,' § 154). Jehovah shall be in the highest sense your ground and object of confidence. Delitzsch describes kesel as confidence in the presence of evil: Jehovah in the presence of the "sudden fear," and of "the desolation of the wicked," the evils and calamities which overwhelm the wicked, shall be thy confidence. The sense of his all-encircling protection will render you undismayed. The meaning given to kesel as "foolhardiness" (Psalm 49:14) and "folly" (Ecclesiastes 7:25). and the connection of kesel with k'silim in Proverbs 1:22, comes from the root idea kasal, "to be fleshly, or fat," the signification of which branches out on the one side into strength and boldness, and on the other into languor and inertness, and so folly or confidence in self (Schultens, i.e.). The Talmudic rendering of the Rabbi Salomon approximates to this meaning, "and the things in which you seemed to be foolish (desipere videbaris) he will be at once present with you." Others, as Ziegler, Muentinghe, gave kesel its primary meaning, and translate, "Jehovah shall be as thy loins," the loins being regarded as the emblem of strength. Jehovah shall be your strength. But kesel does not appear to have this local application here. Wherever it is used in this sense, as in Job and Leviticus cited above, there is something in the context to point it out as a part of the body. Compare, however, the Vulgate. in latere suo, "in thy side or flank." The LXX. renders, ἐπὶ πασῶν ὁδῶν σου, "over all thy ways." From being taken (millaked); Vulgate, ne capiaris, "lest thou be taken." The meaning is, Jehovah will be your protection against all the snares and traps which the impious lay for you. Leked, "a being taken," is from lakad, "to take or catch animals" in a net or in snares. It only occurs here in the Proverbs. Its unusual appearance, together with other reasons, not tenable, however, has led Hitzig to reject vers. 22-26 as an interpolation. The LXX. reads, πτόησιν, pavorem. Πτόησις, in Plato, Aristotle, and Plutarch, is used subjectively, and means "any vehement emotion." The word only occurs once in the New Testament in 1 Peter 3:6, μὴ φοβούμενη μηδεμίαν πτόησιν, where it is evidently quoted from the passage before us, in an objective sense, and designates some external cause of terror (cf. Authorized Version, "and be not afraid with any amazement;" see also Book of Common Prayer: 'Solemnization of Matrimony,' ad fin).

Parallel Commentaries ...


for
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

the LORD
יְ֭הוָה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

will be
יִהְיֶ֣ה (yih·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

your confidence
בְכִסְלֶ֑ךָ (ḇə·ḵis·le·ḵā)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3689: Fatness, the loin, the viscera, silliness, trust

and will keep
וְשָׁמַ֖ר (wə·šā·mar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to

your foot
רַגְלְךָ֣ (raḡ·lə·ḵā)
Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 7272: A foot, a step, the pudenda

from the snare.
מִלָּֽכֶד׃ (mil·lā·ḵeḏ)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3921: Something to capture with, a noose


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 3:26 For Yahweh will be your confidence (Prov. Pro Pr)