King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.
Complete Jewish Bible:
ADONAI will pull down the houses of the proud, but preserves intact the widow's boundaries.
Berean Standard Bible:
The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but He protects the boundaries of the widow.
American Standard Version:
Jehovah will root up the house of the proud; But he will establish the border of the widow.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
The LORD{H3068} will destroy{H5255} the house{H1004} of the proud{H1343}: but he will establish{H5324} the border{H1366} of the widow{H490}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Psalms 146:9
- The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.
Psalms 68:5
- A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, [is] God in his holy habitation.
Psalms 68:6
- God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry [land].
Proverbs 12:7
- ¶ The wicked are overthrown, and [are] not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.
Proverbs 23:10
- ¶ Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless:
Proverbs 14:11
- ¶ The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.
Deuteronomy 10:17
- For the LORD your God [is] God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:
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Commentary for Proverbs 15:25
Proverbs 15:25 is a verse that encapsulates the biblical theme of divine justice and the reversal of worldly fortunes. It speaks to the ancient Near Eastern context where the security of one's household was paramount, and the vulnerability of widows was a significant social concern. In this proverb, the "house of the proud" refers to those who are self-reliant and haughty, trusting in their own strength and status rather than in God. The verse warns that the Lord, who is sovereign over all, will bring down the mighty and the arrogant.
In contrast, the "border of the widow" symbolizes her means of sustenance and protection—often agricultural land in an agrarian society. Widows in this historical context were among the most socially and economically vulnerable, lacking the support of a male provider and protector. The verse promises that God will defend and secure the inheritance or livelihood of these marginalized individuals, suggesting a divine commitment to social justice and the care of the vulnerable.
The overarching message is that God's values are often at odds with those of human societies, where pride and power are frequently rewarded. Instead, the Lord is depicted as a champion of the oppressed and a corrector of the arrogant, ensuring that justice ultimately prevails. This theme is recurrent throughout the wisdom literature of the Bible, emphasizing the importance of humility and the surety of divine intervention in human affairs.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H3068
There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהֹוָה
Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה. - Strong's Number: H5255
There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָסַח
Transliteration: nâçach
Pronunciation: naw-sakh'
Description: a primitive root; to tear away; destroy, pluck, root. - Strong's Number: H1004
There are 1718 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בַּיִת
Transliteration: bayith
Pronunciation: bah'-yith
Description: probably from בָּנָה abbreviated; a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.); court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). - Strong's Number: H1343
There are 9 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גֵּאֶה
Transliteration: gêʼeh
Pronunciation: gay-eh'
Description: from גָּאָה; lofty; figuratively, arrogant; proud. - Strong's Number: H5324
There are 75 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָצַב
Transliteration: nâtsab
Pronunciation: naw-tsab'
Description: a primitive root; to station, in various applications (literally or figuratively); appointed, deputy, erect, establish, [idiom] Huzzah (by mistake for a proper name), lay, officer, pillar, present, rear up, set (over, up), settle, sharpen, establish, (make to) stand(-ing, still, up, upright), best state. - Strong's Number: H1366
There are 196 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גְּבוּל
Transliteration: gᵉbûwl
Pronunciation: gheb-ool'
Description: or גְּבֻל; (shortened) from גָּבַל; properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e. (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed; border, bound, coast, [idiom] great, landmark, limit, quarter, space. - Strong's Number: H490
There are 303 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַלְמָנָה
Transliteration: ʼalmânâh
Pronunciation: al-maw-naw'
Description: feminine of אַלְמָן; a widow; also a desolate place; desolate house (palace), widow.