A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.
Parallel Translations
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A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.
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A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.
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A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his steps.
Cross-references (15)
Passages linked to Proverbs 29:5 in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, ordered by reader-vote popularity; verse text shown in World English Bible.
- Job 17:5 He who denounces his friends for plunder, Even the eyes of his children will fail.
- Psalms 5:9 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth. Their heart is destruction. Their throat is an open tomb. They flatter with their tongue.
- Psalms 12:2 Everyone lies to his neighbor. They speak with flattering lips, and with a double heart.
- Hosea 5:1 “Listen to this, you priests! Listen, house of Israel, and give ear, house of the king! For the judgment is against you; for you have been a snare at Mizpah, and a net spread on Tabor.
- 2 Samuel 14:17-24 Then your servant said, ‘Please let the word of my lord the king bring rest; for as an angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad. May Yahweh, your God, be with you.’ ” Then the king answered the woman, “Please don’t hide anything from me that I ask you.” The woman said, “Let my lord the king now speak.” The king said, “Is the hand of Joab with you in all this?” The woman answered, “As your soul lives, my lord the king, no one can turn to the right hand or to the left from anything that my lord the king has spoken; for your servant Joab urged me, and he put all these words in the mouth of your servant. Your servant Joab has done this thing to change the face of the matter. My lord is wise, according to the wisdom of an angel of God, to know all things that are in the earth.” The king said to Joab, “Behold now, I have done this thing. Go therefore, and bring the young man Absalom back.” Joab fell to the ground on his face, showed respect, and blessed the king. Joab said, “Today your servant knows that I have found favor in your sight, my lord, king, in that the king has performed the request of his servant.” So Joab arose and went to Geshur, and brought Absalom to Jerusalem. The king said, “Let him return to his own house, but let him not see my face.” So Absalom returned to his own house, and didn’t see the king’s face.
- Proverbs 1:17 For the net is spread in vain in the sight of any bird;
- Proverbs 7:5 that they may keep you from the strange woman, from the foreigner who flatters with her words.
- Proverbs 7:21 With persuasive words, she led him astray. With the flattering of her lips, she seduced him.
- Proverbs 20:19 He who goes about as a tale-bearer reveals secrets; therefore don’t keep company with him who opens wide his lips.
- Proverbs 26:24-25 A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, but he harbors evil in his heart. When his speech is charming, don’t believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart.
- Proverbs 26:28 A lying tongue hates those it hurts; and a flattering mouth works ruin.
- Lamentations 1:13 “From on high has he sent fire into my bones, and it prevails against them. He has spread a net for my feet. He has turned me back. He has made me desolate and I faint all day long.
- Luke 20:20-21 They watched him and sent out spies, who pretended to be righteous, that they might trap him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the power and authority of the governor. They asked him, “Teacher, we know that you say and teach what is right, and aren’t partial to anyone, but truly teach the way of God.
- Romans 16:18 For those who are such don’t serve our Lord, Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and flattering speech, they deceive the hearts of the innocent.
- 1 Thessalonians 2:5 For neither were we at any time found using words of flattery, as you know, nor a cloak of covetousness (God is witness),
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this verse (14 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
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Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain He that giveth ear to the flatterer, is in…
He that giveth ear to the flatterer, is in danger as the bird is before the fowler.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain Pro 29:5 A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth…
Pro 29:5 A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.
Ver. 5. A man that flattereth his neighbour, &c.] A smooth boots, as the word {a} signifies, a butterspoken man, {see Isa 3:12} or a divided man, for a flatterer’s tongue is divided from his heart.
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{a} Glaber.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain A man that flattereth his neighbour, that praiseth or…
A man that flattereth his neighbour, that praiseth or applaudeth another in a sinful state or course, spreadeth a net for his feet; kills him under a pretence of kindness; is an occasion of his sin, and consequently of destruction, which possibly he may design to accomplish by that means.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Matthew Henry 1710 · Public Domain Those may be said to flatter their neighbours who…
Those may be said to flatter their neighbours who commend and applaud that good in them (the good they do or the good they have) which really either is not or is not such as they represent it, and who profess that esteem and that affection for them which really they have not; these spread a net for their feet. 1. For their neighbours' feet, whom they flatter. They have an ill design in it; they would not praise them as they do but that they hope to make an advantage of them; and it is therefore wisdom to suspect those who flatter us, that they are secretly laying a snare for us, and to stand on our guard accordingly. Or it has an ill effect on those who are flattered; it puffs them up with pride, and makes them conceited and confident of themselves, and so proves a net that entangles them in sin. 2. For their own feet; so some understand it. He that flatters others, in expectation that they will return his compliments and flatter him, does but make himself ridiculous and odious even to those he flatters.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible (1708–1710) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain A man that flattereth his neighbour,.... That speaks smooth…
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 Psa 140:5.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain Verse 5. Spreadeth a net for his feet.] Beware…
Verse 5. Spreadeth a net for his feet.] Beware of a flatterer; he does not flatter merely to please you, but to deceive you and profit himself.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain Pro 29:5-6. A man that flattereth his neighbour —…
Pro 29:5-6. A man that flattereth his neighbour — That praiseth, or applaudeth, another in a sinful state or practice; spreadeth a net for his feet — Kills him under a pretence of kindness; is an occasion of his sin, and consequently of his destruction, which possibly he might design to accomplish by that means. In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare — His sin will bring him to dreadful horrors and certain ruin. But the righteous doth sing and rejoice — Because he hath sweet peace in his own conscience, and an assurance of present safety and eternal happiness.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Charles Bridges 1846 · Public Domain Most wisely were Bunyan’s pilgrims warned — ’Beware of…
Most wisely were Bunyan’s pilgrims warned — ’Beware of the flatterer.’ Yet ’forgetting to read the note of directions about the way,’ they fell into his net, and, even though delivered, were justly punished for their folly. The doctrine of man’s goodness, strength, or freedom; innocent infirmities; venial offenses; softening down the statements of man’s total corruption; a general gospel, without close application; its promises and privileges, without the counter-balance of its trials and obligations — all this is frightful flattery — ’the black man clothed in white’ — "Satan himself transformed into an angel of light, and his ministers transformed as ministers of righteousness." (2Co 11:13-15 .) Unwary souls are misled. Even unwatchful Christians fall into the net. And while they have to thank their faithful God for deliverance, they cannot forget his sharp and needful chastening of their folly. Where "the root of the matter" is not, heresy, or apostasy, is the baneful fruit of the flatterer. (Rom 16:17-18 . 2Pe 2:1-3 .)
But let us guard against this net in our daily path. Too readily do the flatterer’s words pass current. Even when conscious of not possessing the loveliness attributed to us; when we know the flatterer to have no faith in his own words; instead of a just indignation at his smooth hypocrisy, is there not sometimes a secret self-satisfaction at being thought of sufficient importance to tempt to the deceit? Nay — even when it is so gross as to create disgust, is this disgust always unaccompanied with pleasure? Besides — What else is much of the language of smooth courtesy, or lively interest and affection? Who would venture to act with confidence on this heartless profession? Always is the net spread to allure into some devious path; often into the grossest wickedness. Thus the flattering woman beguiled her prey.†1 The parasites of Darius deified him for a month, to make him the tool of their malicious plot. (Dan 6:6-9 .) The enemies of Christ spread the flatterer’s net for his feet. But here the wisdom of God was infinitely above them, and "took the wise in their own craftiness."†2
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The feet of many strong men have been entangled in this net. Indeed seldom has the frailty of the man of God been more painfully exposed. David honored his God in the endurance of Shimei’s curse. But Ziba’s smooth words drew him to an act of gross injustice.†3 Usually some want of integrity has predisposed the mind for this poison. David was struggling to discover a plea for leniency to his murderous son, when the woman of Tekoah plied him with her flattering lips. The bribery of passion was far more powerful than her arguments.†4 But bitterly did the misguided parent reap the fruit of thus entering into the net spread for his feet.†5 Willful infatuation fully prepared Ahab, by listening to the flattery of his lying prophets, to his own ruin.†6
Does a man thus load us with immoderate commendation? It is the flatterer’s net. "Ponder the paths of thy feet."†7 Exchange confidence for suspicion.†8 Fearful is the snare to those, whose rank or influence dispose them to walk rather before men, than before God. Indeed religious flattery is a common snare to a Christian profession. It may be natural, perhaps well-intentioned, to be willing to profit by more advanced experience, and to enquire of a brother, by what means he has been able to rise above the ordinary level; nay — even to express our envy at his higher knowledge, faith, or love. But all this tends to cherish self-complacency, "a confidence in the flesh" — the bane to that self-renouncing confidence in his Savior, which is the clear stamp of the faithful follower of his Lord. (Php 3:3 .) Too often is the same net spread for the feet of the Minister of Christ, whether to gain his good opinions, or from the genuine but imprudent warmth of affection. But oh! — think — "He is a man as thou art" — beset with temptation — perhaps even "besides those that are common to men." His heart, like thine, is fully susceptible of self-exalting imaginations. And to know that he has a reputation for holiness; that he is a man of influence; that his character is looked up to; that his opinion is valued — this is indeed "a fiery trial," that brings out to view much base dross of vanity. (Pro 27:21 .) Far better would it be, that our Christian intercourse with each other should be molded by the wise resolution to refrain from "flattering titles," as hurtful to the creature, and provoking to God.†9
Footnotes:
†1 Pro 2:16; Pro 7:21 ; Pro 26:28 .
†2 Mat 22:15-23, with 1Co 3:19 .
†3 2Sa 16:1-12 .
†4 2Sa 14:4-24 .
†5 2Sa 15:1-14 .
†6 1Ki 22:11-12 .
†7 Pro 4:26.
†8 Pro 26:24-25; Pro 27:14 .
†9 Job 32:21-22. Compare LXX 22, with Act 12:22-23 . ’Surely it is enough for us to have foes within and without to contend with, without having snares for our feet laid by our fellow-pilgrims. Oh! it is a cruel thing to flatter. The soul is often more exhausted and injured by disentangling itself from these nets, than by the hottest contest with principalities an powers. Those who have once known the torture the believer undergoes, while this poison is pervading his soul, the bitter, lowering medicines he must take as antidotes, the frightful oblivion of lessons of humility which he has been studying for years, will, I think (unless much under the influence of the enemy of souls), not administer the noxious potion a second time.’ - Helen Plumptre’s Letters, pp. 43, 44 - a most profitable volume.
Charles Bridges, An Exposition of the Book of Proverbs (1846) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain (Compare Pro 26:28).
(Compare Pro 26:28).
spreadeth . . . feet--By misleading him as to his real character, the flatterer brings him to evil, prepared by himself or others.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain 5. Flattereth — Literally, makes smooth. “Speaks smoothly.” —…
5. Flattereth — Literally, makes smooth. “Speaks smoothly.” — Stuart. “Speaking flatteringly about his neighbour.” — Miller. A flatterer may generally be suspected of some sinister design.
His feet — His steps; as though he had spread a net in the way of his steps with the design of entangling his feet. Compare Psa_5:10; Psa_36:3; Pro_2:16; Pro_7:5; Pro_26:24; Pro_25:28; Pro_28:23.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain A man that flattereth his neighbour; says only what…
A man that flattereth his neighbour; says only what is agreeable, applauds his words and actions indiscriminately, and makes him think too well of himself he is no true friend. (see Pro_28:23) Spreadeth a net for his feet; his stops. (Pro_26:28 Job_18:8, etc.) If a man listens to such flattering words, and is influenced by them, he works his own ruin; self-deceived, he knows not his real condition, and accordingly makes grievous disaster of his life. The LXX gives a different turn to the sentence, "He that prepareth a net before his friend entangles his own feet therein". (comp. Pro_26:27 Pro_28:10)
See homily on Pro_27:5, Pro_27:6. C.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net…
Pro_29:5
A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.
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Flattery
.
I. What flattery is. The nature and property of it is to put on all forms and shapes, according to the exigence of the occasion. He that would paint flattery must draw a picture of all colours, and frame a universal face, indifferent to any particular aspect whatever. It shows itself--
1. In concealing or dissembling of the defects and vices of any person. It will pretend not to see faults, and if it does, it will be sure not to reprove them. All people are not called to reprove others.
(1) Who are they that are concerned to speak in this case? Such as are entrusted with the government of others. Those who are entrusted with the guidance and direction of others. Those that profess friendship.
(2) In what spirit are these reprehensions to be managed? Let the reproof, if possible, be given in secret. Let it be managed with due respect to and distinction of the condition of the person that is to be reproved. Let him that reproves a vice do it with words of meekness and consideration; without superciliousness or spiritual arrogance. A reproof should not be continued or repeated after amendment of that which occasioned the reproof.
2. In praising or defending the defects or vices of any person. If to persuade men out of the acknowledgment of the evil and unlawfulness of their actions be flattery, then none are so deeply chargeable with flattery as these two sorts of men--such as, upon principles of enthusiasm, assure persons of eminence and high place that those transgressions of the Divine law are allowable in them that are absolutely prohibited and condemned in others, and the Roman casuists, who have made it their greatest study to put a new face upon sin. This kind of flattery is of very easy effect, by reason of the nature of man, and the nature of vice itself. From these two considerations we may easily gather how open the hearts of most men lie, to drink in the fawning suggestions of any sycophant that shall endeavour to relieve their disturbed consciences by gilding their villainies with the name of virtues.
3. In imitating any ones defects or vices. Actions are much more considerable than words or discourses. To any generous and free spirit it is really a very nauseous and fulsome thing to see some prostitute their tongues and their judgments, by saying as others say, commending what they commend, and framing themselves to any absurd gesture or motion that they observe in them. Every kind of imitation speaks the person that imitates him inferior to whom he imitates, as the copy is to the original.
4. An overvaluing those virtues and perfections that are really laudable in any person. This is more modest and tolerable, there being some groundwork of desert.
II. The grounds and occasions of flattery.
1. Greatness of place and condition. Men consider the great danger of speaking freely to great persons what they are not willing to hear. It may enrage, and make them mortal enemies.
2. An angry, passionate disposition This also frights and deters men from doing the orifice of friends, in a faithful reprehension.
3. A proud and vainglorious disposition. To tell a proud person of his faults is to tell infallibility that it is in an error, and to spy out something amiss in perfection.
III. The ends and designs of it on his part that flatters. Every flatterer is actuated and influenced by these two grand purposes--to serve himself, and to undermine him whom he flatters, and thereby to effect his ruin. For he deceives him, and grossly abuses and perverts his judgment, which should be the guide and director of all his actions. He that is thoroughly deceived is in the very next disposition to be ruined; for cast but a mist before a mans eyes, and whither may you not lead him? And he undermines, and perhaps in the issue ruins, him whom he flatters, by bringing him to shame and a general contempt. Moreover, by his flattery and its consequences, he renders his recovery and amendment impossible. Every fault in a man shuts the door upon virtue, but flattery is the thing that seals it. (R. South.)
The tendency of flattery
In this verse Solomon does not refer solely to the intention of the flatterer; he refers also to the tendency of the flattery. The latter may be far from harmless, even although to a greater degree the former may. Injury may be done, and many a time is done, when no harm is meant to the party, and when there is no interest of our own to serve. And there is no little guilt on the part of those who, seeing vanity to be a mans failing, set themselves on purpose to feed it, pouring into the ear, merely in the way of an amusing experiment, every description of fulsome adulation, trying how much and in what variety it will be taken in. (R. Wardlaw, D.D.)
Flattery
The weakness of the human heart exposeth it to innumerable dangers. Constant attention is necessary to preserve it secure, because it is often assailed on the most unsuspected side. The conceit and vanity, which all men have in some degree, renders truth itself often dangerous. It is the prerogative of God alone to receive praise without danger. He hears, and is pleased to hear, the endless hymns of His angels. He hears the voice of praise ascending from all nature: the infinite variety of beings celebrating Him as the great, the just, the merciful God. He receives those truths without prejudice to His holiness; because, being in Himself essentially holy and true, these attributes can never jar, nor harm each other. It is far otherwise with us: unstable ourselves as water, our very virtues partake of this instability; whence ariseth the necessity of our suspecting everything that flatters us, because there is nothing in general more seductive and deceitful; and of all delusions, there is none more shameful and pernicious than that which, by the suggestions of self-love, makes us take falsehood for truth, and think of ourselves more highly than we ought to think. People tell us what we ought to be rather than what we are, and we, by a pitiable blindness of running into the snare that is spread for us, believe ourselves to be indeed what adulation represents us. In this manner it often happens that a man who is naturally modest, and who would be humble if he knew himself, intoxicated with this vain incense, thinks himself possessed of merits which he never possessed; thanks God for graces which God never gave him; acknowledgeth the reception of talents which he never received; ascribes to himself successes which he never had; and enjoys himself secretly, while he is openly despised. Some learned men have very plausibly ascribed the origin of those idolatrous superstitions that prevailed so long in the world to that inclination which men have of believing what is advantageous, however incredible it may really be. Certain men were told that they were gods; and, by often hearing this told them, they became accustomed to be honoured and treated as gods. Those who first held that language to them knew very well that it was false; yet, from a spirit of flattery, they performed every action that they would otherwise have done from a spirit of sincerity had they been convinced that what they spoke was true. We dare not say that this error is entirely destroyed even by Christianity: vestiges of it remain everywhere, and a species of idolatry is established by the custom of the world. We tell the rich and the great no more that they are gods, but we tell them that they are not as other men are; that they want those weaknesses which others have, and possess those qualities which others want: we separate them so from the rest of mankind that, forgetting what they are, they think themselves gods; not considering that their admirers are interested persons, determined to please them, or rather determined to deceive them. Nor may we confine ourselves to the great and powerful ones of the world to justify this observation: the idolatry I speak of reigns equally in the lower conditions, and produceth there proportionable effects. Thus a woman is idolised by interested and designing men, till she knows herself no more; and, though marked with a thousand faults and imperfections, yet thinks of correcting none of them; believing herself a subject every way accomplished, the joy and admiration of the whole world, because such phrases are constantly employed for her seduction and ruin. The contradiction is, that in the midst of all this, those men, so vain and so passionate for glory, never cease to protest that the thing they abhor most is to be deceived; in the meantime they wish to be praised, flattered, and admired, as if flattery and delusion could possibly be separated. What resolution, then, can we take to avoid these errors? We must resolve to distrust even truth, when it seems to flatter us; because there is no appearance of truth which approacheth so near to falsehood, and consequently, there is none so much exposed to the dangers of falsehood. Jesus Christ Himself, who, according to the Scripture, was the firm and immovable Rock, to whom the praises of the universe were due, as the tribute of His supreme grandeur and adorable perfections, yet while on earth would not suffer those truths which made for His honour and glory. He wrought wonders; He cured the blind and the deaf; He raised the dead; yet when the people began to celebrate His name for this, and to cry that He was the prophet of God, He enjoined them silence, and seemed upon the whole extremely impatient of applause. (A. Macdonald.)
Flattery a web
I. Variously wrought. Woven of many threads, and of various hues. Some are coarse as a rope, others as fine as a gossamer web; all are suited to the character of the prey to be caught.
II. Widely spread. (D. Thomas, D.D.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 flatters his neighbor
flatters his neighbor
knowingly tells his neighbor things that are not true so that the neighbor will do what the speaker wants him to do
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spreading a net for his feet
The writer compares the flattery of a person to setting that person up to being caught in a trap. AT: "setting a trap to catch that person" (See: Metaphor)
In the sin of an evil person is a trap
When an evil person sins, it is as if he is stepping into a trap. He desires to do evil to other people, but God will use what he does to punish him. (See: Idiom)
translationWords
neighbor
evil
sin
joy
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 29:5 Flattery is usually a trap to taking advantage…
29:5 Flattery is usually a trap to taking advantage of someone (7:21-22; 26:23).
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.