Proverbs 3:25
in Proverbs 3Do not fear sudden danger or the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
BSB
The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾
ASV
Be not afraid of sudden fear, Neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh:
KJV
Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.
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This verse in Proverbs 3
Commentary
7 notes on this verseA commentator
Albert Barnes1798–1870
Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869)
Under the form of this strong prohibition there is an equally strong promise. So safe will all thy ways be that to fear will be a sin.
This site's exposition
My son, do not lose sight of this
on Proverbs 3:21-26
“Then you will go on your way in safety” promises security in daily movement. “When you lie down, you will not be afraid” carries it into sleep. The ground of that security is the LORD's keeping: “the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from the snare”.
This site's exposition
the ruin that overtakes the wicked
The ruin that overtakes the wicked is the storm of 1:27, the same Hebrew word. Albert Barnes reads the command as a promise, the one who walks with wisdom so safe that fear itself would be a sin. Sudden danger belongs to the wicked.
The record, by era
The Medieval Church1 voice
If you believe that God makes provision for you, why be anxious and concerned about temporal affairs and the needs of your flesh? But if you do not believe that God makes provision for you, and for this reason you take pains to provide for …
The Puritans and the Awakening3 voices
Be not afraid of sudden fear,....
We must do all the good we can, and no hurt, to our neighbours, because according as men are just or unjust, charitable or uncharitable, humble or haughty, accordingly they shall receive of God,
Or rather, [2.] The desolation which wicked men will be brought into in a moment. It will come, and timorous saints may be apprehensive that they shall be involved in it; but let this be their comfort, that though judgments lay waste generally, at least promiscuously, yet God knows who are his and how to separate between the precious and the vile.
The words behind it
8 Hebrew wordsEvery Hebrew word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.
| Hebrew | Sound | Meaning | Word study | In the Bible |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| אַל־ | ʾal- | may not | H408 → | 724 times |
| תִּ֭ירָא | tira' | you be afraid | H3372 → | 315 times |
| מִפַּ֣חַד | mipachad | from terror | H6343 → | 49 times |
| פִּתְאֹ֑ם | pitom | suddenly | H6597 → | 25 times |
| וּמִשֹּׁאַ֥ת | umishoat | and from [the] devastation of | H7722 → | |
| רְ֝שָׁעִ֗ים | reshaim | wicked [people] | H7563 → | 263 times |
| כִּ֣י | ki | that | H3588 → | 4482 times |
| תָבֹֽא׃ | tavo' | it will come | H935 → | 2568 times |
אַל־may not
ʾal-H408 →724 times
תִּ֭ירָאyou be afraid
tira'H3372 →315 times
מִפַּ֣חַדfrom terror
mipachadH6343 →49 times
פִּתְאֹ֑םsuddenly
pitomH6597 →25 times
וּמִשֹּׁאַ֥תand from [the] devastation of
umishoatH7722 →
רְ֝שָׁעִ֗יםwicked [people]
reshaimH7563 →263 times
כִּ֣יthat
kiH3588 →4482 times
תָבֹֽא׃it will come
tavo'H935 →2568 times
A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.
The walk
8 stopsEach card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.
Through
Psalms 112:7He does not fear bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.
it leads to
- Isaiah 26:3–4
You will keep in perfect peace the steadfast of mind, because he trusts in You.
- Proverbs 1:33
But whoever listens to me will dwell in safety, secure from the fear of evil.”
- Psalms 57:7
My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast. I will sing and make music.
- Isaiah 26:3–4
Through
Psalms 91:5You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
it leads to
- Isaiah 43:2
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched;…
- Job 5:19–27
He will rescue you from six calamities; no harm will touch you in seven.
- Proverbs 3:23–25
Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble.
- Isaiah 43:2
Through
1 Peter 3:14But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear what they fear; do not be shaken.”
it leads to
- Matthew 10:28
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
- 1 Peter 2:19–20
For if anyone endures the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God, this is to be commended.
- Matthew 10:28
Where this verse is studied
About Proverbs
This page draws on Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Isaac of Nineveh, ASCETICAL HOMILIES 5; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament (1748-1763); John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the Old Testament and Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible.