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Proverbs 25:19

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Proverbs 25:19 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble Is [like] a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble Is [like] a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
Proverbs 25:19 — American Standard Version

Context — Proverbs 25

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
16Hast thou found honey? eat so much as is sufficient for thee, Lest thou be filled therewith, and vomit it.
17Let thy foot be seldom in thy neighbor`s house, Lest he be weary of thee, and hate thee.
18A man that beareth false witness against his neighbor Is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
19Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble Is [like] a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
20[As] one that taketh off a garment in cold weather, [and as] vinegar upon soda, So is he that singeth songs to a heavy heart.
21If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
22For thou wilt heap coals of fire upon his head, And Jehovah will reward thee.
← Proverbs 25:18Proverbs 25:20 →
← Full Chapter 25 Proverbs Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble, etc.] 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”f688; 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…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Treachery annoys as well as deceives.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Stress is to be laid on the uselessness of the “broken tooth” and the “foot out of joint,” or tottering, rather than on the pain connected with them. The King James Version loses the emphasis and point of the Hebrew by inverting the original order, which is “a broken ... joint is confidence” etc. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Ch2 28:20, Ch2 28:21; Job 6:14-20; Isa 30:1-3, Isa 36:6; Eze 29:6, Eze 29:7; Ti2 4:16 Proverbs 25:20”
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Related study paths

Read Proverbs 25 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification