Proverbs 29:5

5 A man that speaketh to his friend with flattering and dissembling words, spreadeth a net for his feet.

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 A man that loveth wisdom, rejoiceth his father: but he that maintaineth harlots, shall squander away his substance.
4 A just king setteth up the land: a covetous man shall destroy it.
5 A man that speaketh to his friend with flattering and dissembling words, spreadeth a net for his feet.
6 A snare shall entangle the wicked man when he sinneth: and the just shall praise and rejoice.
7 The just taketh notice of the cause of the poor: the wicked is void of knowledge.
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