Proverbs 15:25
The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow.
Original Language Analysis
בֵּ֣ית
the house
H1004
בֵּ֣ית
the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
1 of 7
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יְהוָ֑ה
The LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 7
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְ֝יַצֵּ֗ב
but he will establish
H5324
וְ֝יַצֵּ֗ב
but he will establish
Strong's:
H5324
Word #:
5 of 7
to station, in various applications (literally or figuratively)
Cross References
Psalms 146:9The LORD preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.Proverbs 12:7The wicked are overthrown, and are not: but the house of the righteous shall stand.Proverbs 23:10Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless:Proverbs 14:11The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.James 1:27Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.Isaiah 2:12For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low:Psalms 138:6Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.Daniel 5:20But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him:
Historical Context
Ancient societies allowed powerful men to seize widows' land and property. Mosaic Law commanded protecting widows, orphans, and strangers (Exodus 22:22-24, Deuteronomy 27:19). Prophets condemned those who devoured widows' houses (Isaiah 10:1-2, Ezekiel 22:7). This proverb promises divine intervention—God destroys oppressors and protects the vulnerable. Christ condemned religious leaders who devoured widows' houses (Mark 12:40).
Questions for Reflection
- In what ways might pride in your life provoke God's opposition and lead toward destruction?
- How can you actively defend and support the vulnerable (widows, orphans, poor) as God does?
- What does receiving God's grace as a 'widow' (spiritually vulnerable and dependent) rather than as 'proud' look like?
Analysis & Commentary
The LORD will destroy the house of the proud: but he will establish the border of the widow. Beyt ge'im yissach YHVH (בֵּית גֵּאִים יִסַּח יְהוָה, the house of the proud the LORD tears down). God actively destroys (nasach, נָסַח, tear away, pull up, uproot) prideful households. Veyatsev gevul almanah (וְיַצֵּב גְּבוּל אַלְמָנָה, but He establishes the border of the widow). God establishes (natsav, נָצַב, stand, set up, establish) widow's property boundaries, protecting the vulnerable. This proverb celebrates God's justice—He opposes the proud but defends the weak. James 4:6 quotes this principle: "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble."