What is the meaning of Proverbs 29:5? A man Proverbs 29:5 begins, “A man …”. • Scripture often uses “a man” or “anyone” to make truth universal (Proverbs 20:6; James 1:23–24). • The focus is not on a specific offender but on any person who might slip into this behavior. • By keeping the subject broad, the verse warns every reader: examine your own speech and motives (2 Corinthians 13:5). who flatters his neighbor “…who flatters his neighbor …” • Flattery is excessive, insincere praise meant to influence (Psalm 12:2–3; Proverbs 26:28). • Unlike genuine encouragement (Hebrews 10:24–25), flattery masks selfish intent. • The word “neighbor” widens the circle: friends, coworkers, family—anyone we interact with daily (Leviticus 19:18; Luke 10:36–37). • God values truthful lips (Proverbs 12:19), so false praise offends Him and harms relationships. spreads a net “…spreads a net …” • Nets in Scripture picture hidden traps (Psalm 141:9–10; Ecclesiastes 9:12). • Flattery sets up conditions for manipulation—seeking favors, masking sin, gaining advantage (Proverbs 2:16; Jude 1:16). • While the flatterer may feel clever, God sees the scheme and exposes it in time (Job 5:12–13). for his feet “…for his feet.” • The snare ultimately entangles the flatterer himself (Psalm 9:15–16; Proverbs 26:27). • Sin is boomerang-like: what is laid for others rebounds on the one who set it (Galatians 6:7–8). • The imagery warns that deceptive speech invites personal ruin—broken trust, divine discipline, and damaged witness (Proverbs 28:26; Colossians 3:9–10). summary Proverbs 29:5 shows that insincere praise is more than harmless words; it is a calculated trap that backfires on the speaker. God loves truth, hates deceit, and ensures that those who weave flattering nets are the first to be caught in them. Living honestly and speaking edifying truth guards both our neighbors and our own feet. |
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