Proverbs 15:25

¶ The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.

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}.

ADONAI will pull down the houses of the proud, but preserves intact the widow's boundaries.

The LORD tears down the house of the proud, but He protects the boundaries of the widow.

Jehovah will root up the house of the proud; But he will establish the border of the widow.

Proverbs 15:25 offers a powerful and concise statement about divine justice, contrasting the ultimate fate of the arrogant with the steadfast protection God provides for the vulnerable.

Context

This verse is situated within a collection of wisdom sayings in the book of Proverbs, which frequently contrasts the paths and outcomes of the righteous and the wicked, the wise and the foolish. Chapter 15, in particular, emphasizes the importance of communication, the nature of righteousness, and the Lord's active involvement in human affairs. The proverb serves as a clear declaration of God's character as both a judge of the proud and a defender of the defenseless, reinforcing the overarching theme that the Lord observes all and renders justice according to one's heart and actions.

Key Themes

  • Divine Justice and Retribution: The verse highlights God's active role in upholding justice, ensuring that pride does not go unpunished and vulnerability does not go unprotected.
  • The Downfall of Pride: It warns against arrogance and self-exaltation, asserting that those who are proud will ultimately face destruction, often encompassing their legacy and stability. This echoes other warnings against pride, such as in Proverbs 16:18.
  • God's Protection for the Vulnerable: In stark contrast, the Lord demonstrates His compassion and faithfulness by defending those who are most susceptible to injustice, specifically the widow.
  • Contrast in Destinies: The proverb masterfully uses antithetical parallelism to underscore the vastly different outcomes for the proud and the oppressed, emphasizing God's righteous judgment.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "proud" (גֵּאִים - ge'im) denotes haughtiness, arrogance, or self-exaltation. This is a recurring negative characteristic in biblical wisdom literature, often associated with rebellion against God. The "house" (בֵּית - beit) of the proud refers not just to their physical dwelling but also to their family, lineage, wealth, and established position – all that they have built up will be brought to ruin. Conversely, "establish the border" (יַצִּיב גְּבוּל - yatziv gevul) for the widow is highly significant. In ancient Israel, land boundaries were crucial for inheritance and livelihood. A widow, without a male protector, was highly vulnerable to having her land encroached upon or stolen. God's act of "establishing her border" means He secures her rightful inheritance and protects her property and dignity, acting as her ultimate defender and provider. This aligns with God's consistent command to care for the vulnerable, as seen in Deuteronomy 10:18.

Significance and Application

Proverbs 15:25 serves as a timeless reminder of God's character and the principles of His kingdom. For believers, it reinforces the importance of humility and warns against the dangers of pride, which God actively opposes (as stated in James 4:6). It encourages a life lived with integrity and a focus on serving others rather than self-exaltation. Furthermore, the verse inspires confidence in God's unwavering commitment to justice, assuring those who are marginalized or oppressed that their cries do not go unheard. It calls us to emulate God's heart for the vulnerable, compelling us to advocate for and protect those who cannot protect themselves, just as the Lord establishes the border of the widow.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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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