Proverbs 25:19 (KJV)

What does Proverbs 25:19 mean?

Proverbs 25:19 compares relying on an unfaithful person during a crisis to having a broken tooth or a dislocated foot—both are painful and useless when you need them most. The verse warns that putting trust in someone unreliable will only lead to disappointment and trouble, especially when you are in need.

This proverb is part of a collection of wise sayings attributed to King Solomon, directed to anyone seeking practical guidance for daily life. The imagery of a broken tooth and a foot out of joint paints a vivid picture: just as these body parts fail when you need to eat or walk, so does an unreliable person fail when you need help. The verse highlights the real-world consequences of misplaced trust.

The Hebrew behind Proverbs 25:19

• "Confidence" (מִבְטָח, mivtaḥ) means trust or security. The word suggests a sense of safety that turns out to be false when placed in the wrong person.
• "Unfaithful man" (בּוֹגֵד, boged) refers to someone who betrays trust or acts treacherously, not just someone who occasionally fails but someone fundamentally unreliable.
• "Broken" (רָעָה, ra‘ah) as used for "broken tooth" describes something that is damaged and no longer serves its purpose, emphasizing the uselessness of misplaced trust.
• "Foot out of joint" (מוּעָדָה, mu‘adah) refers to a foot that has slipped or is dislocated, highlighting instability and pain when support is most needed.

Why Proverbs 25:19 matters

• This proverb clarifies that the pain of trusting the wrong person is not just emotional but can have real, practical consequences when you are vulnerable.
• The verse uses strong physical imagery to stress how critical reliability is in relationships, especially in difficult times.
• In the context of Proverbs, this saying fits into a larger theme about the importance of wisdom in choosing whom to trust and depend on in life.