Proverbs 25:19

Translation
King James Version
¶ Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
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KJV (with Strong's)
Confidence H4009 in an unfaithful man H898 in time H3117 of trouble H6869 is like a broken H7465 tooth H8127, and a foot H7272 out of joint H4154.
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Complete Jewish Bible
Relying on an untrustworthy person in a time of trouble is like [relying on] a broken tooth or an unsteady leg.
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Berean Standard Bible
Like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble.
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American Standard Version
Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble Islikea broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
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World English Bible Messianic
Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble is like a bad tooth, or a lame foot.
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Geneva Bible (1599)
Confidence in an vnfaythfull man in time of trouble, is like a broken tooth and a sliding foote.
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Young's Literal Translation
A bad tooth, and a tottering foot, Is the confidence of the treacherous in a day of adversity.
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See also
Ezekiel 29:6Ezekiel 29:7Isaiah 36:6Job 6:14Job 6:202 Timothy 4:162 Chronicles 28:20
In the KJVVerse 17,133 of 31,102

Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Proverbs 25:19 delivers a potent warning against the profound disappointment and debilitating harm that results from placing one's trust in an unreliable or treacherous individual, particularly during times of acute distress. Through two stark and universally understood physical analogies—a broken tooth and a dislocated foot—the proverb vividly illustrates how such misplaced confidence not only fails to provide support but actively compounds pain, instability, and dysfunction, leaving one more vulnerable and incapacitated than before.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: This proverb is situated within a collection of Solomon's proverbs that were specifically copied, compiled, and preserved by the scribes under King Hezekiah of Judah, as indicated by Proverbs 25:1. This section of Proverbs (chapters 25-29) often presents individual proverbs that stand alone, yet collectively they offer practical wisdom for navigating various aspects of life, including interpersonal relationships, justice, and the nature of true wisdom. The preceding verses in Proverbs 25 deal with topics like humility, self-control, and the proper use of words, setting a broader context for wise conduct and discernment in society. This particular verse speaks directly to the consequences of failing to apply such discernment in choosing one's confidantes.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: In ancient Israel, as in many pre-modern societies, community and interpersonal relationships were paramount for survival and well-being. Trust within the community was a vital social currency. Betrayal of trust could have devastating consequences, not just emotionally but also economically and socially. Physical ailments like a broken tooth or a dislocated foot, especially in a time before modern dentistry or orthopedics, would have been excruciatingly painful, debilitating, and difficult to remedy. They would severely impair one's ability to eat (a broken tooth) or to move and work (a dislocated foot), thus directly impacting one's capacity for daily life and livelihood. The vividness of these analogies would have resonated deeply with an audience familiar with the harsh realities of such injuries.
  • Key Themes: This proverb powerfully contributes to several overarching themes found throughout the book of Proverbs. Primarily, it underscores the peril of misplaced trust, highlighting that reliance on an unfaithful person is not merely ineffective but actively detrimental, leading to greater suffering. It emphasizes the painful consequences of such folly, using visceral imagery to convey the acute distress and incapacitation that results. This implicitly calls for the importance of discernment in choosing whom to rely upon, a recurring call to wisdom in the book (e.g., Proverbs 13:20). Furthermore, it subtly points to the ultimate source of true and unwavering faithfulness, contrasting human unreliability with divine steadfastness, a theme echoed in passages like Psalm 118:8.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • Confidence (Hebrew, mibṭâch', H4009): From an unused root meaning to be hot, this term properly signifies a refuge or security. It denotes either an objective sense of security or a subjective assurance, encompassing concepts of trust and hope. In Proverbs 25:19, it refers to the reliance, assurance, or expectation of support placed in another person.
  • Unfaithful man (Hebrew, bâgad', H898): A primitive root meaning "to cover (with a garment)," which figuratively extends to acting covertly, deceitfully, or treacherously. This word describes an individual who deals unfaithfully, transgresses, or is disloyal. It points to a character marked by betrayal or a fundamental lack of integrity, rather than mere incompetence.
  • Out of joint (Hebrew, mûwʻedeth', H4154): A feminine passive participle of a root meaning "to slip." It literally means "made to slip" or "dislocated." This term vividly describes a foot that is unstable, tottering, or has slipped from its proper anatomical position, rendering it unable to bear weight or provide stable support for movement.

Verse Breakdown

  • "Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble": This initial clause establishes the specific and perilous scenario the proverb addresses. It highlights that the misplaced trust is not in just any person, but in one characterized by inherent unfaithfulness, and critically, this trust is tested and revealed "in time of trouble"—a moment when genuine support is most desperately needed and the stakes are highest.
  • "is like a broken tooth": This is the first of two powerful similes. A broken tooth, especially in the ancient world without modern dentistry, would be a source of excruciating pain, making eating difficult or impossible, and constantly causing irritation and dysfunction. It symbolizes a foundational source of support (like the ability to chew food) that has not only failed but has become an active source of suffering and incapacitation.
  • "and a foot out of joint." This is the second, equally potent simile. A dislocated or "out of joint" foot renders walking impossible or agonizingly painful. It represents profound instability, an inability to bear weight, and a complete failure of mobility and support when one needs to stand firm or move forward. Both analogies underscore the active harm, debilitating effect, and utter failure of support that results from relying on the unfaithful.

Literary Devices

The primary literary device employed in Proverbs 25:19 is Simile, explicitly using the comparative phrase "is like" to draw a striking parallel between misplaced trust and severe physical ailments. This simile is exceptionally effective because it leverages Imagery that is universally understood and viscerally felt. The vivid images of a "broken tooth" and a "foot out of joint" evoke immediate sensations of acute pain, profound instability, and debilitating incapacitation. This sensory imagery transforms the abstract concept of the failure of trust into a concrete, tangible experience, making the proverb's warning profoundly memorable and impactful. The use of two distinct but equally debilitating analogies further emphasizes the severity and multifaceted nature of the harm caused by relying on the unfaithful.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Proverbs 25:19 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of trust, contrasting the inherent unreliability of fallen humanity with the unwavering faithfulness of God. It implicitly teaches that true security and steadfast support cannot be found in those who lack integrity, especially when life's trials expose such deficiencies. The proverb underscores the biblical principle that human beings, by their very nature, are prone to failure and sin, making them an unstable foundation for ultimate confidence. This wisdom tradition consistently points away from absolute reliance on human strength or character and directs the seeker of wisdom towards the divine. Ultimately, the proverb prepares the heart to understand that only God is perfectly faithful and capable of providing unfailing support in every circumstance, a truth echoed throughout Scripture.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

This proverb offers a timeless and practical warning for navigating the complexities of human relationships. In a world where promises are often broken and loyalty can be fleeting, Proverbs 25:19 urges us to exercise profound discernment before entrusting our well-being, resources, or vulnerabilities to others. It teaches us that relying on someone who is fundamentally unreliable—whether due to a lack of integrity, a pattern of deceit, or a consistent failure to follow through—will not only fail to provide the anticipated help but will actively exacerbate our difficulties, much like a broken tooth makes eating impossible or a dislocated foot prevents movement. This wisdom encourages us to build our support systems on individuals of proven character and, most importantly, to place our ultimate confidence in the only One who is perfectly faithful and true.

Questions for Reflection

  • In what areas of your life might you be placing confidence in an "unfaithful man" (or unreliable source) that is causing you pain or instability?
  • How can you cultivate greater discernment in your relationships to avoid such debilitating disappointments?
  • What does this proverb teach you about the absolute necessity of placing your ultimate trust in God alone?

FAQ

What does "unfaithful man" mean in the context of this proverb?

Answer: In Proverbs 25:19, "unfaithful man" refers to someone who is characterized by treachery, deceit, or disloyalty (from the Hebrew bâgad'). This isn't merely a person who is incompetent or makes mistakes, but rather someone whose character is fundamentally unreliable, untrustworthy, or even actively betraying. The proverb warns against placing confidence in such an individual, especially when facing difficulties, because their inherent lack of integrity will lead to failure and further distress, much like a broken tool fails when most needed. The danger lies in their deliberate or inherent inability to provide the expected support, contrasting sharply with the steadfastness of the Lord, who is a refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

Proverbs 25:19, with its stark depiction of the pain and instability caused by misplaced trust in an unfaithful man, powerfully foreshadows the absolute necessity of a perfectly faithful deliverer, found ultimately in Jesus Christ. While human beings, by nature, are prone to unfaithfulness and will inevitably fail us, Christ stands as the perfectly reliable foundation, the "chief cornerstone" upon whom all true confidence can be built (Ephesians 2:20). He is the "faithful and true witness" (Revelation 3:14) who never betrays, never abandons, and never fails to provide strength in our "time of trouble." Unlike the broken tooth or dislocated foot that compounds suffering, Jesus is the one who heals our brokenness and sets our feet on solid ground, as the psalmist declares, He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock. His sacrifice on the cross demonstrates His ultimate faithfulness to God's plan and His unwavering love for humanity, offering a covenant that is "better" and founded on "better promises" than any human agreement (Hebrews 8:6). In Christ, we find the only one whose faithfulness remains even when we are faithless (2 Timothy 2:13), providing the steadfast hope and unwavering support that no human being can ever truly offer.

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Commentary on Proverbs 25 verse 19

19 ¶ Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
I. II. Main points1. 2. Sub-points

1.The confidence of an unfaithful man (so some read it) will be like a broken tooth; his policy, his power, his interest, all that which he trusted in to support him in his wickedness, will fail him in time of trouble, Psa 52:7. 2. Confidence in an unfaithful man (so we read it), in a man whom we thought trusty and therefore depended on, but who proves otherwise; it proves not only unserviceable, but painful and vexatious, like a broken tooth, or a foot out of joint, which, when we put any stress upon it, not only fails us, but makes us feel from it, especially in time of trouble, when we most expect help from it; it is like a broken reed, Isa 36:6. Confidence in a faithful God, in time of trouble, will not prove thus; on him we may rest and in him dwell at ease.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verse 19. Public domain.
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BedeAD 735
Commentary on Proverbs
A rotten tooth and a stumbling foot, etc. And Jeremiah says: Cursed is the man that trusts in man, and makes flesh his arm (Jeremiah XIII). He is rightly compared to a rotten tooth and a weary foot, because he who does not know that the unique good of man is to cling to God and put his hope in the Lord his God; this man can neither receive the food of life, nor reach the abode of desired salvation. And such a person loses his cloak in the day of cold, because even if he seems to be clothed with the habit of religion in the serenity of the present life, yet when the strictness of the just judge threatens, he will appear naked in every way from the ornament of justice, and unworthy of the company of those of whom it is written: Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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