The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Proverbs 29:25
What does Proverbs 29:25 mean?
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Proverbs 29:25
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The "safety" promised here isn't just about avoiding physical danger; it's about being "set on high," like being on an impregnable fortress, lifted above the reach of fear and the traps it creates. This elevated security comes from actively trusting the Lord, not passively wishing for it.
The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse is part of a series of wisdom sayings in Proverbs that contrast the foolishness of relying on human wisdom or approval with the security found in trusting God. It follows warnings against associating with evil people and encourages righteous living, culminating in this direct comparison between succumbing to human pressure and placing unwavering faith in the Lord.
Ever felt pressured to go along with something you know is wrong, just to fit in or avoid disapproval? Proverbs calls this a 'snare.' Let's unpack what that means.
The 'fear of man' isn't just being scared of someone. It's an unhealthy preoccupation with what others think, leading us to compromise our values or God's commands.
What is this Snare?
The verse contrasts the 'snare' of human fear with being 'safe.' What does this safety truly look like, and how do we access it?
Trusting in the Lord isn't just a feeling; it's an active reliance on God's character and His power to protect and sustain us.
What Does 'Safe' Mean Here?
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Understand the original words
yirah · Hebrew Noun
The reverential, holy awe of God combined with the fear of being out of step with His will; conversely, the improper fear of human beings over God.
moqesh · Hebrew Noun
A trap or device used to capture or ensnare, metaphorically representing the entangling consequences of sin or ungodly behavior.
batach · Hebrew Verb
Faith, reliance, and firm confidence in the character, promises, and power of God; the act of taking refuge in Him.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The self-existent, covenant-keeping God of Israel; the personal name of the Almighty who is the ultimate protector of the faithful.
Jesus warns his followers not to fear those who can only kill the body, but rather to fear God who can destroy both body and soul, directly paralleling the idea that fearing man leads to a dangerous trap.
Jeremiah 17:5-7This passage contrasts the curse of relying on humans with the blessing of trusting in the Lord, highlighting how our ultimate trust determines our security, just as Proverbs states trusting in man is a snare while trusting in God brings safety.
Psalm 118:6The psalmist boldly declares, 'The LORD is on my side; I will not fear what can man do to me,' echoing the confidence that trusting in God provides protection from the fear of human threats.
Galatians 5:6This verse states that in Christ, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but faith working through love, which speaks to how genuine faith, not the fear of human opinion, is what truly matters and leads to a life pleasing to God.
1 Samuel 15:24King Saul admits he feared the people and obeyed their voice, demonstrating how the fear of man led him into sin and disobedience against God, thus falling into the very snare Proverbs warns against.
pooleProverbs 29:25: "The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe."
The fear of man, inordinate fear of harm or mischief from men, which is fitly opposed to trust in God, because it comes from a distrust of God’s promise and providence, bringeth a snare; is an occasion of many sins, and of great danger, both of injuries from men, and of sore punishments from God. Putteth his trust in the Lord; keeping God’s way, and securely relying upon God to protect him…
gillProverbs 29:25: "The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe."
The fear of man bringeth a snare,.... Either that which is subjectively in man; not a divine fear, or the fear of God, that grace which is put into the heart, for that leads to no snare, but tends to life; but a human fear, a servile one, a distrust of the power and providence, grace and goodness, of God, which has torment in it; which brings into bondage, and into many distresses and diff…
The "safety" promised here isn't just about avoiding physical danger; it's about being "set on high," like being on an impregnable fortress, lifted above the reach of fear and the traps it creates. This elevated security comes from actively trusting the Lord, not passively wishing for it.
This verse is part of a series of wisdom sayings in Proverbs that contrast the foolishness of relying on human wisdom or approval with the security found in trusting God. It follows warnings against associating with evil people and encourages righteous living, culminating in this direct comparison between succumbing to human pressure and placing unwavering faith in the Lord.
This verse is part of a series of wisdom sayings in Proverbs that contrast the foolishness of relying on human wisdom or approval with the security found in trusting God. It follows warnings against associating with evil people and encourages righteous living, culminating in this direct comparison between succumbing to human pressure and placing unwavering faith in the Lord.
"The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe." — The "safety" promised here isn't just about avoiding physical danger; it's about being "set on high," like being on an impregnable fortress, lifted above the reach of fear and the traps it creates. T…
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Last reviewed October 2026