Proverbs 3:29 (KJV)

What does Proverbs 3:29 mean?

Proverbs 3:29 warns against secretly planning harm or wrongdoing toward someone who lives nearby and trusts you, especially when that person feels safe in your presence. The verse calls for honesty and goodwill in relationships with neighbors, highlighting the wrongness of betraying someone’s trust.

In Proverbs 3:29, the writer (traditionally Solomon) is giving practical wisdom to the reader, likely a young person or anyone seeking to live wisely. The setting is everyday life in a community, where neighbors rely on each other for safety and peace. The verse emphasizes the importance of not taking advantage of someone’s trust, especially when that person has no reason to fear you.

The Hebrew behind Proverbs 3:29

• "Devise" (חָרַשׁ, ḥārash) means to plot, plan, or scheme, often in secret. The word suggests intentional, hidden planning rather than an impulsive act, highlighting the seriousness of betraying a neighbor’s trust.
• "Evil" (רַע, raʿ) refers broadly to harm, trouble, or wrongdoing, not just moral evil but also any act that would hurt another person.
• "Neighbour" (רֵעַ, rēaʿ) means a fellow member of the community, not just someone living next door. It can refer to anyone with whom you have regular, trusting contact.
• "Dwelleth" (יָשַׁב, yashav) and "securely" (בֶּטַח, betach) together describe someone who lives with a sense of safety and confidence, trusting that no harm will come from those around them.

Why Proverbs 3:29 matters

• Proverbs 3:29 clarifies that the command is not just about refraining from open hostility, but also from secret plotting or hidden malice against those who trust you.
• The verse highlights the value of trust and safety in community life, showing that wisdom includes protecting—not exploiting—the peace of others.
• This instruction fits into the wider context of Proverbs 3, which teaches the reader how to live wisely and honorably in everyday relationships, not just in religious or ceremonial matters.