Proverbs 15:25
The LORD tears down the house of the proud but maintains the widow’s boundaries.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The verse highlights a crucial contrast: God doesn't just punish the proud, He actively uproots them, while with the widow, He doesn't just help her, but establishes her boundaries, showing a deep commitment to securing what is rightfully hers. This "uprooting" and "establishing" reveals God's powerful defense of the vulnerable, even to the point of safeguarding property lines against powerful oppressors.
This proverb is part of a larger collection of wisdom teachings in Proverbs that contrast the ways of the righteous with the ways of the wicked. It appears after verses discussing the importance of listening to instruction and before verses on the thoughts of the wicked and the greed of oppressors, framing the wicked with pride and injustice. The verse highlights God's active intervention against arrogance and oppression, contrasting it with His protective care for the vulnerable, particularly the widow, who represents those without earthly protection.
Understand the original words
YHWH · Hebrew Noun
The covenant name of God (Yahweh), emphasizing His faithfulness, holiness, and active involvement in the lives of His people.
ge'eh · Hebrew Adjective
A moral and spiritual state of arrogance where one elevates oneself above God and neighbor; it is the fundamental opposite of the humility required for wisdom.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Proverbs 15:25 is available in the Sola app.
'almanah · Hebrew Noun
A vulnerable person who has lost their husband; in Scripture, widows are specifically protected by God, who acts as their defender and provider.
This Psalm echoes the sentiment, calling God a 'father to the fatherless and protector of widows,' highlighting His special care for the vulnerable, just as Proverbs 15:25 shows Him protecting the widow's property.
Luke 18:7-8Jesus tells the parable of the persistent widow, showing that God *will* vindicate those who cry out to Him. This aligns with Proverbs 15:25, where God actively intervenes to protect the widow against oppressors.
1 Peter 5:5-6Peter directly quotes Proverbs, urging believers to 'clothe yourselves with humility' because 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.' This perfectly captures the contrast presented in Proverbs 15:25 between the downfall of the proud and the establishment of the humble widow.
Deuteronomy 27:17This passage curses anyone who moves their neighbor's boundary stone, showing the seriousness of encroaching on property, especially that of the vulnerable. Proverbs 15:25 illustrates God's direct action against those who would do such things to a widow.
ellicottProverbs 15:25: "The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow."
(25) The proud —who trust in their own strength; while He will “establish the border,” or landmark, of the helpless widow, who has none to cry to but Him. The frequently threatened punishment against one who removes his neighbour’s landmark, shews the offence to have been a common form of oppression. (Comp. Deuteronomy 19:14 ; Deuteronomy 27:17 ; Proverbs 22:28 ; Job 24:2 ; Hosea 5:10…
wesleyProverbs 15:25: "The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow."
15:25 The proud - Of the mighty oppressors. The border - The estate, the border being often used, for the land within the borders.
The verse highlights a crucial contrast: God doesn't just punish the proud, He actively uproots them, while with the widow, He doesn't just help her, but establishes her boundaries, showing a deep commitment to securing what is rightfully hers. This "uprooting" and "establishing" reveals God's powerful defense of the vulnerable, even to the point of safeguarding property lines against powerful oppressors.
This proverb is part of a larger collection of wisdom teachings in Proverbs that contrast the ways of the righteous with the ways of the wicked. It appears after verses discussing the importance of listening to instruction and before verses on the thoughts of the wicked and the greed of oppressors, framing the wicked with pride and injustice. The verse highlights God's active intervention against arrogance and oppression, contrasting it with His protective care for the vulnerable, particularly the widow, who represents those without earthly protection.
This proverb is part of a larger collection of wisdom teachings in Proverbs that contrast the ways of the righteous with the ways of the wicked. It appears after verses discussing the importance of listening to instruction and before verses on the thoughts of the wicked and the greed of oppressors, framing the wicked with pride and injustice. The verse highlights God's active intervention against arrogance and oppression, contrasting it with His protective care for the vulnerable, particularly the widow, who represents those without earthly protection.
"The LORD tears down the house of the proud but maintains the widow’s boundaries." — The verse highlights a crucial contrast: God doesn't just punish the proud, He actively uproots them, while with the widow, He doesn't just help her, but establishes her boundaries, showing a…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
