Proverbs 29:5

5 A man that speaketh by flattering and feigned words to his friend, spreadeth abroad a net to 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 A man that loveth wisdom, maketh glad his father; but he that nourisheth a strumpet, shall lose his chattel. (A man who loveth wisdom, maketh his father glad; but he who feedeth a whore, shall lose his possessions.)

4 A just king raiseth [up] the land; an avaricious man shall destroy it.

5 A man that speaketh by flattering and feigned words to his friend, spreadeth abroad a net to his steps.

6 A snare shall wrap a wicked man doing sin; and a just man shall praise, and make joy. (A snare shall enwrap the wicked doing sin; but the righteous shall give praise, and make joy in their lives.)

7 A just man knoweth the cause of poor men; and an unpious man knoweth not knowing. (The righteous know of the concerns of the poor; but the wicked do not care to know.)