Proverbs 29:5

5 A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his steps.

Proverbs 29:5 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 29:5

A man that flattereth his neighbour
That speaks smooth things to him gives him flattering titles, speaks fair to his face, highly commends him on one account or another: spreadeth a net for his feet;
has an idle design upon him, and therefore should be guarded against; his view is to draw him into a snare and make a prey of him; he attacks him on his weak side, and hopes to make some advantage of it to himself; wherefore flatterers should be avoided as pernicious persons; or he spreads a net for his own feet, and is taken in the snare which he had laid for his neighbour; or falls into the pit he dug for him, as Gersom observes; see ( Psalms 140:5 ) ( Hosea 5:1 ) .

Proverbs 29:5 In-Context

3 Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father; but he that is a companion of harlots destroyeth [his] substance.
4 A king by just judgment establisheth the land; but he that taketh gifts overthroweth it.
5 A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his steps.
6 In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare; but the righteous shall sing and rejoice.
7 The righteous taketh knowledge of the cause of the poor; the wicked understandeth not knowledge.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Geber: so ch. 30.1,19: see Job 3.3.
The Darby Translation is in the public domain.