Proverbs 1:17
New International Version
How useless to spread a net where every bird can see it!

New Living Translation
If a bird sees a trap being set, it knows to stay away.

English Standard Version
For in vain is a net spread in the sight of any bird,

Berean Standard Bible
How futile it is to spread the net where any bird can see it!

King James Bible
Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.

New King James Version
Surely, in vain the net is spread In the sight of any bird;

New American Standard Bible
Indeed, it is useless to spread the baited net In the sight of any bird;

NASB 1995
Indeed, it is useless to spread the baited net In the sight of any bird;

NASB 1977
Indeed, it is useless to spread the net In the eyes of any bird;

Legacy Standard Bible
For it is no use that a net is spread In the sight of any bird;

Amplified Bible
Indeed, it is useless to spread the baited net In the sight of any bird;

Christian Standard Bible
It is useless to spread a net where any bird can see it,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
It is foolish to spread a net where any bird can see it,

American Standard Version
For in vain is the net spread In the sight of any bird:

Contemporary English Version
They are like a bird that sees the bait, but ignores the trap.

English Revised Version
For in vain is the net spread, in the eyes of any bird:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
It does no good to spread a net within the sight of any bird.

Good News Translation
It does no good to spread a net when the bird you want to catch is watching,

International Standard Version
Look, it is useless to spread a net in full view of all the birds,

Majority Standard Bible
How futile it is to spread the net where any bird can see it!

NET Bible
Surely it is futile to spread a net in plain sight of any bird,

New Heart English Bible
For in vain is the net spread in the sight of any bird:

Webster's Bible Translation
Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.

World English Bible
For the net is spread in vain in the sight of any bird;
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Surely in vain is the net spread out before the eyes of any bird.

Young's Literal Translation
Surely in vain is the net spread out before the eyes of any bird.

Smith's Literal Translation
For gratuitously the net was spread in the eyes of all possessing a wing.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But a net is spread in vain before the eyes of them that have wings.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But a net is thrown in vain before the eyes of those who have wings.

New American Bible
In vain a net is spread right under the eyes of any bird—

New Revised Standard Version
For in vain is the net baited while the bird is looking on;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Surely in deceit is the net spread in the sight of any bird.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
It is by deceit that nets are spread for a bird.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
For in vain the net is spread In the eyes of any bird;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
for nets are not without cause spread for birds.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Enticement of Sin
16For their feet run to evil, and they are swift to shed blood. 17How futile it is to spread the net where any bird can see it! 18But they lie in wait for their own blood; they ambush their own lives.…

Cross References
Jeremiah 5:26-27
For among My people are wicked men; they watch like fowlers lying in wait; they set a trap to catch men. / Like cages full of birds, so their houses are full of deceit. Therefore they have become powerful and rich.

Psalm 10:9
He lies in wait like a lion in a thicket; he lurks to seize the oppressed; he catches the lowly in his net.

Habakkuk 1:15-16
The foe pulls all of them up with a hook; he catches them in his dragnet, and gathers them in his fishing net; so he rejoices gladly. / Therefore he sacrifices to his dragnet and burns incense to his fishing net, for by these things his portion is sumptuous and his food is rich.

Ecclesiastes 9:12
For surely no man knows his time: Like fish caught in a cruel net or birds trapped in a snare, so men are ensnared in an evil time that suddenly falls upon them.

Isaiah 59:5-6
They hatch the eggs of vipers and weave a spider’s web. Whoever eats their eggs will die; crack one open, and a viper is hatched. / Their cobwebs cannot be made into clothing, and they cannot cover themselves with their works. Their deeds are sinful deeds, and acts of violence are in their hands.

Job 18:8-10
For his own feet lead him into a net, and he wanders into its mesh. / A trap seizes his heel; a snare grips him. / A noose is hidden in the ground, and a trap lies in his path.

Psalm 64:5-6
They hold fast to their evil purpose; they speak of hiding their snares. “Who will see them?” they say. / They devise injustice and say, “We have perfected a secret plan.” For the inner man and the heart are mysterious.

Psalm 140:5
The proud hide a snare for me; the cords of their net are spread along the path, and lures are set out for me. Selah

Matthew 23:33
You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape the sentence of hell?

Luke 21:34-35
But watch yourselves, or your hearts will be weighed down by dissipation, drunkenness, and the worries of life—and that day will spring upon you suddenly like a snare. / For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of all the earth.

1 Thessalonians 5:3
While people are saying, “Peace and security,” destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

2 Timothy 2:26
Then they will come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, who has taken them captive to his will.

Romans 3:15-16
“Their feet are swift to shed blood; / ruin and misery lie in their wake,

1 Peter 5:8
Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

James 1:14-15
But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed. / Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.


Treasury of Scripture

Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.

in vain

Proverbs 7:23
Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.

Job 35:11
Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven?

Isaiah 1:3
The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider.

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Bird Birds Eyes Full Indeed Net Purpose Sight Spread Stretched Surely Useless Vain View Wings
Proverbs 1
1. The use of the proverbs
7. An exhortation to fear God, and believe his word
10. to avoid the enticing of sinners
20. Wisdom complains of her contempt
24. She threatens her contemners














How futile it is to spread the net
This phrase highlights the futility of attempting to trap or deceive when the intended target is aware of the trap. In biblical context, this can be seen as a metaphor for the futility of sinful schemes. The imagery of a net is often used in Scripture to represent entrapment or deceit (Psalm 140:5, Ecclesiastes 9:12). The net symbolizes the plans of the wicked, which are ultimately doomed to fail when they are exposed. This reflects the broader biblical theme that God sees all actions and intentions, and nothing is hidden from His sight (Hebrews 4:13).

where any bird can see it!
The mention of a bird being able to see the net suggests awareness and discernment. In the cultural context of ancient Israel, birds were often used as symbols of freedom and awareness. The idea here is that just as a bird would avoid a visible trap, so should people avoid obvious sinful schemes. This can be connected to the wisdom literature's emphasis on discernment and understanding (Proverbs 2:11-12). The phrase also serves as a warning against underestimating the awareness of others, including God, who is omniscient. In a broader theological sense, it can be seen as a call to live righteously and transparently, knowing that God is aware of all actions and intentions.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Solomon
Traditionally considered the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. He compiled these sayings to impart wisdom and understanding.

2. Birds
In this verse, birds are used metaphorically to illustrate the futility of setting traps in plain sight. Birds represent those who are aware and cautious.

3. Net
The net symbolizes traps or schemes that are laid out, often representing the deceitful plans of the wicked.

4. The Simple
Throughout Proverbs, "the simple" refers to those who are naive or lack discernment, often falling prey to obvious traps.

5. Wisdom Literature
Proverbs is part of the wisdom literature in the Bible, which includes practical teachings on how to live a life that is pleasing to God.
Teaching Points
Awareness and Discernment
Just as birds avoid visible traps, Christians should be discerning and aware of the spiritual and moral traps in the world.

The Futility of Deceit
Deceptive practices are ultimately futile and self-defeating. God calls us to live transparently and truthfully.

The Importance of Wisdom
Seeking wisdom helps us recognize and avoid the snares of sin and temptation.

God's Protection
Trust in God's guidance and protection to navigate through life's challenges and avoid the traps set by the enemy.

Teaching the Next Generation
Imparting wisdom to the younger generation helps them recognize and avoid the pitfalls of life.(17) Surely in vain . . .--The second reason: their folly in so doing, for God will bring punishment upon them; in the "same net which they hid privily will their foot be taken "(Psalm 9:15). Even birds are wiser than they. It is useless to spread a net in the sight of any bird.

Verse 17. - Surely in vain the net is spread in the face of any bird. The teacher here advances a second reason in support of his warning in ver. 15, under the form of a proverb in its strict sense. It is based on the ill-advised audacity of sinners in flying in the face of God's judgments. In vain (חִנָּם khinnam), see ver. 11, may be taken in two senses.

(1) I.e. to no purpose, gratis, frustra (Vulgate, Chaldee Paraphrase, Arabic). The meaning of the proverb here used then is, "to no purpose is the net spread before birds," i.e. though they see the net spread before them, they nevertheless fly into it (romp. Proverbs 7:23, "As a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life"). So sinners, when they are plotting for others, plunge into their own destruction with their eyes open. Therefore do not associate with them, do not imitate their crass folly, be warned by their example, or you will share their fate. This view is supported by the LXX. reading, Οὐ γὰρ ἀδίκως ἐκτείνεται δίκτυα πτερωτοῖς, "For not unreasonably is the net spread before birds;" i.e. they fall into the snare (see Luther, Patrick, Umbreit, Ewatd, Hitzig, Zockler, Plumptre).

(2) Others, as Delitzsch, Ziegler, Beda, Doderlein, Bertheau, Wardlaw, take khinnam in a different sense, as indicating the escape of the birds - the birds see the snare and fly away, and so in vain the net is spread in their sight. This explanation is in agreement with Ovid's statement, "Quae nimis apparent retia vitat avis." The moral motive put before youth in this case is the aggravation of his guilt if he listens to the enticements of sinners. The teacher seems to say, "Imitate the birds, flee from temptation; if you listen to sinners, you will sin with your eyes open." Is spread; מְזֹרָה (m zorah), expansum, not conspersum est, i.e. besprinkled or strewn with corn as a bait, as Rashi. M'zorah is the participle passive of pual, זֹרָה (zorah), "to be strewn," from kal זָרָה (zarah). "to scatter, or disperse" (Gesenius), and means expansum, because when a net is scattered or dispersed it is spread out (see Delitzsch). Of any bird (כָּל־בַּעַל כָּנָפ khal-baal khanaph); literally, of every possessor of a wing, or, as margin, of everthing that hath a wing, i.e. of every bird. Compare the same expression in Ecclesiastes 10:20, בַּעַל חַכְּנָפַיִם (baal hach naphayim); i.e. "that which hath wings" (Authorized Version).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
How
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

futile
חִ֭נָּם (ḥin·nām)
Adverb
Strong's 2600: Gratis, devoid of cost, reason, advantage

to spread
מְזֹרָ֣ה (mə·zō·rāh)
Verb - Pual - Participle - feminine singular
Strong's 2219: To toss about, to diffuse, winnow

the net
הָרָ֑שֶׁת (hā·rā·šeṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7568: A net

where any
כָל־ (ḵāl)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

bird
בַּ֥עַל‪‬ (ba·‘al)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1167: A master, a husband, owner

can see it.
בְּ֝עֵינֵ֗י (bə·‘ê·nê)
Preposition-b | Noun - cdc
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 1:17 For in vain is the net spread (Prov. Pro Pr)
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