Do not devise evil against your neighborThis phrase emphasizes the moral imperative to maintain integrity and righteousness in our relationships. The concept of "neighbor" in biblical terms extends beyond mere proximity; it includes anyone with whom we interact. The command not to devise evil aligns with the broader biblical teaching against harboring malice or deceit, as seen in
Leviticus 19:18, which instructs to love your neighbor as yourself. The Hebrew word for "devise" suggests intentional planning or scheming, indicating a premeditated action that is contrary to the character of God, who is just and loving. This aligns with the teachings of Jesus in the New Testament, particularly in the Sermon on the Mount, where He expands on the law by addressing the heart's intentions (
Matthew 5:21-22).
for he trustfully dwells beside you
This part of the verse highlights the trust and vulnerability inherent in community living. In ancient Israel, communities were tightly knit, and neighbors relied on each other for safety and support. The phrase suggests a covenantal relationship, where mutual trust is expected. The historical context of ancient Near Eastern societies often involved communal living arrangements, where the well-being of one was tied to the well-being of all. This trust is a reflection of the covenant relationship God desires with His people, as seen in the promises of protection and provision throughout the Old Testament (e.g.,Psalm 91:1-2). The call to honor this trust is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are urged to live peaceably with all (Romans 12:18) and to bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2), reflecting the love and faithfulness of Christ.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
NeighborIn the context of Proverbs, a neighbor is anyone who lives nearby or with whom one has regular interactions. The term implies a relationship of trust and mutual respect.
2.
SolomonTraditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the king of Israel known for his wisdom. His teachings often focus on practical living and moral integrity.
3.
Ancient IsraelThe cultural and historical backdrop of Proverbs, where community living and neighborly relationships were vital for societal harmony.
Teaching Points
Integrity in RelationshipsAs Christians, we are called to maintain integrity in our relationships. This means being trustworthy and not plotting harm against those who live near us or interact with us regularly.
Trust as a FoundationTrust is a foundational element in any relationship. When we devise evil against our neighbor, we betray that trust, which can lead to discord and conflict.
Community HarmonyLiving in peace with our neighbors contributes to a harmonious community. As believers, we should strive to be peacemakers and foster environments of mutual respect and support.
Reflecting Christ's LoveOur actions towards our neighbors should reflect the love of Christ. By treating others with kindness and respect, we demonstrate the transformative power of the Gospel in our lives.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Proverbs 3:29?
2.How can Proverbs 3:29 guide us in fostering trust within our community?
3.What does Proverbs 3:29 teach about intentions toward our "neighbor"?
4.How does Proverbs 3:29 connect with Jesus' command to love your neighbor?
5.In what ways can we avoid "plotting evil" against those living peacefully with us?
6.How can Proverbs 3:29 influence our daily interactions and relationships?
7.What does Proverbs 3:29 teach about trust and relationships with neighbors?
8.How does Proverbs 3:29 relate to the concept of loving one's neighbor?
9.What historical context influenced the writing of Proverbs 3:29?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 3?
11.What does 'Speak Evil of No Man' mean?
12.What are the main themes of the Bible's books?
13.Why does Proverbs 6:16-19 say God hates certain behaviors if 'God is love' elsewhere (e.g., 1 John 4:8)?
14.Proverbs 29:26 declares true justice comes solely from the LORD; does this clash with other biblical passages endorsing human justice systems?What Does Proverbs 3:29 Mean
Do not devise evil• The command is straightforward: plotting harm is forbidden.Proverbs 6:16-19 lists “a heart that devises wicked schemes” among the seven things the LORD hates.
• God’s people are called to be proactive in good, not creative in wrongdoing (Romans 12:21;1 Thessalonians 5:15).
• The verb “devise” implies careful, intentional planning; therefore even silent fantasies of revenge or manipulation fall under this warning (Micah 2:1).
• Walking in wisdom means letting every motive be filtered through love and integrity (Philippians 1:9-10).
Against your neighbor• Scripture defines “neighbor” broadly—anyone within reach of your influence (Leviticus 19:18;Luke 10:36-37).
• Violating a neighbor is never a private sin; it strikes at the fabric of the community God is building (Exodus 20:16;Proverbs 11:9).
• By pairing “devise evil” with “neighbor,” the verse underscores that treachery toward someone close is especially offensive, echoing Jesus’ second great command, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39).
For he trustfully dwells• The neighbor lives in confident security, assuming goodwill from those around him.Psalm 15:1-3 portrays the righteous as one who “does no wrong to his neighbor.”
• Betraying that trust shatters the peace God intends for daily life (Psalm 34:14).
• Trust is a gift; to abuse it invites God’s discipline (Proverbs 11:13; 25:9).
Beside you• Close proximity adds weight to the command. Offenses committed “next door” are felt immediately and deeply.
•Proverbs 27:10 notes the value of “a neighbor nearby” in moments of crisis; sabotaging that relationship impoverishes both parties.
• The verse presumes regular interaction—shared property lines, mutual aid, conversation at the fence. Such nearness is meant to foster blessing, not scheming (Romans 13:10, “Love does no wrong to a neighbor”).
summaryProverbs 3:29 calls for hearts free of hidden agendas. The neighbor who lives beside us with open trust must meet only goodwill at our hands. God’s wisdom forbids plotting harm, especially against those in close reach, because treachery dismantles the peace He intends for everyday community life. Choosing integrity preserves trust, honors God, and turns proximity into partnership rather than peril.
Verse 29. -
Devise not evil against thy neighbour. This precept is directed against abuse of confidence.
Devise not evil (
al takharosh raah). The meaning of this expression lies between "fabricating evil" and "ploughing evil." The radical meaning of
kharash, from which
takharosh, is "to cut into," "to inscribe" letters on a tablet, cognate with the Greek
χαράσσειν, "to cut into." But it is used in the sense of "to plough" in
Job 4:18, "They that plough iniquity (
khar'shey aven)
," and
Psalm 129:3, "The ploughers ploughed (
khar'shim khar'shim) upon my back" (cf.
Hosea 10:13). This also appears from the context to be the meaning in
Proverbs 6:14. With these we may compare such expressions as "to plough a lie" (
μὴἀροτρία ψεύδος, rendered in the Authorized Version, "Devise not a lie"); see
Proverbs 7:12, and "to sow iniquity,"
Proverbs 22:8 - a cognate figure. "To plough evil" is to devise evil, to prepare for it, just in the same way as a ploughman prepares the land for sowing. In this sense the verb is understood by the older commentators and by Ewald and Delitzsch. On the other hand, the verb may be used in its other signification, "to fabricate," and hence "to contrive." The noun
kharash is an artificer of iron, etc. (
Exodus 35:35;
Deuteronomy 27:15). "To fabricate evil" is, of course, as the Authorized Version "to devise evil." The LXX.,
μὴ τεκτῄνη, from
τεκτείνομαι, "to build," inclines to this sense. The Vulgate,
ne moliaris, does not clear up the point, though
moliri, usually "to contrive," is used by Virgil, 'Georg.,' 1:494, "moliri terrain," of working or tilling the ground. The verb also occurs in
Proverbs 6:19;
Proverbs 12:20;
Proverbs 14:22.
Seeing he dwelleth securely by thee;i.e. as the Vulgate,
cure ille in te habet fiduciam, "when he has confidence in thee;" so the LXX.; or, as the Targum and Syriac, "when he dwells with thee in peace."
To dwell (
yashar) is in
Psalm 1:1 "to sit with any one,"
i.e. to associate familiarly with him (cf.
Psalm 26:4, 5); but it also has the meaning , "to dwell," and the participle
yoshev, here used; in
Genesis 19:23:
Judges 6:21, means "an inhabitant, a dweller."
Securely (
lavetah);
i.e. with full trust (see on ver. 23). Devising evil against a friend is at any time reprehensible, but to do so when he confides in and is altogether unsuspicious of you, is an act of the greatest treachery, and an outrage on all law. human and Divine. It implies dissimulation. It is the very sin by which "the devil beguiled Eve through his subtlety" (Wardlaw).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Do notאַל־(’al-)Adverb
Strong's 408:Notdeviseרָעָ֑ה(rā·‘āh)Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 2790:To cut in, engrave, plow, deviseevilתַּחֲרֹ֣שׁ(ta·ḥă·rōš)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7451:Bad, evilagainstעַל־(‘al-)Preposition
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, againstyour neighbor,רֵעֲךָ֣(rê·‘ă·ḵā)Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 7453:Friend, companion, fellowfor heוְהֽוּא־(wə·hū-)Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931:He, self, the same, this, that, as, aretrustfullyלָבֶ֣טַח(lā·ḇe·ṭaḥ)Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 983:A place of refuge, safety, safelydwellsיוֹשֵׁ֖ב(yō·wō·šêḇ)Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3427:To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marrybeside you.אִתָּֽךְ׃(’it·tāḵ)Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 854:Nearness, near, with, by, at, among
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