Proverbs 25:19

19 Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble Is like a bad tooth, or a lame foot.

Proverbs 25:19 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 25:19

Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble
It is not good to put confidence in any man, not in princes, nor in the best of men; much less in an unfaithful, prevaricating, and treacherous man; and especially in a time of distress and trouble, depending on his help and assistance, which is leaning on a broken reed, and trusting to a broken staff. Or, "the confidence of an unfaithful man in time of trouble" ^F15; that which he puts confidence in; who trusts in his riches, or in his righteousness, or in his own heart, all which are vain and deceitful: [is like] a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint;
which are so far from being of any use, the one in eating food, and the other in walking, that they are both an hindrance to those actions, and cause pain and uneasiness: or, "a bad tooth", so the Targum and Syriac version; a rotten one.

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FOOTNOTES:

F15 (dgwb xjbm) "fiducia praevaricatoris", Pagninus, Montanus, Mercerus, Gejerus; "fiducia perfidi", Cocceius, Michaelis.

Proverbs 25:19 In-Context

17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor's house, Lest he be weary of you, and hate you.

18 A man who gives false testimony against his neighbor Is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.

19 Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble Is like a bad tooth, or a lame foot.

20 As one who takes away a garment in cold weather, Or vinegar on soda, So is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.

21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; If he is thirsty, give him water to drink: