Proverbs 14:27

27 The fear of the LORD is ¹a fountain of life, that one may ²turn away from the snares of death.

Proverbs 14:27 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 14:27

The fear of the Lord [is] a fountain of life
Where the true fear of God is, there is a real principle of grace, which is "a well of living water, springing up unto everlasting life", ( John 4:14 ) ; eternal life is connected with it; it makes meet for it, and issues in it: or the Lord, who is the object of fear, he is the fountain of life: as of natural, so of spiritual and eternal life; spiritual life springs from him, is supported and maintained by him, the consequence of which is life everlasting; to depart from the snares of death;
sins, transgressions, as Aben Ezra interprets it; these are the works of men's hands, in which they are snared; these are the cords in which they are holden, and so die without instruction; the wages of them are death, even death eternal: likewise there are the snares of the world and of the devil, temptations to sin, with which being ensnared, lead to death; now the fear of the Lord is a means of delivering from and of avoiding those snares, and so of escaping death.

Proverbs 14:27 In-Context

25 A truthful witness saves lives, but one who breathes out lies is deceitful.

26 In the fear of the LORD one has strong confidence, and his children will have a refuge.

27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.

28 In a multitude of people is the glory of a king, but without people a prince is ruined.

29 Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.

Cross References

• 1. See Proverbs 10:11
• 2. See Proverbs 13:14