Proverbs 28:26

Authorized King James Version

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He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered.

Original Language Analysis

בּוֹטֵ֣חַ He that trusteth H982
בּוֹטֵ֣חַ He that trusteth
Strong's: H982
Word #: 1 of 8
properly, to hie for refuge (but not so precipitately as h2620); figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure
בְּ֭לִבּוֹ in his own heart H3820
בְּ֭לִבּוֹ in his own heart
Strong's: H3820
Word #: 2 of 8
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
ה֣וּא H1931
ה֣וּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 3 of 8
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
כְסִ֑יל is a fool H3684
כְסִ֑יל is a fool
Strong's: H3684
Word #: 4 of 8
properly, fat, i.e., (figuratively) stupid or silly
וְהוֹלֵ֥ךְ but whoso walketh H1980
וְהוֹלֵ֥ךְ but whoso walketh
Strong's: H1980
Word #: 5 of 8
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
בְּ֝חָכְמָ֗ה wisely H2451
בְּ֝חָכְמָ֗ה wisely
Strong's: H2451
Word #: 6 of 8
wisdom (in a good sense)
ה֣וּא H1931
ה֣וּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 7 of 8
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
יִמָּלֵֽט׃ he shall be delivered H4422
יִמָּלֵֽט׃ he shall be delivered
Strong's: H4422
Word #: 8 of 8
properly, to be smooth, i.e., (by implication) to escape (as if by slipperiness); causatively, to release or rescue; specifically, to bring forth youn

Analysis & Commentary

He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool (בּוֹטֵחַ בְּלִבּוֹ הוּא כְסִיל, boteach belibbo hu khesil)—בָּטַח (batach, 'to trust, be confident') in one's own לֵב (lev, 'heart, mind, inner self') makes one a כְּסִיל (kesil, 'fool, dullard'). Jeremiah 17:9 explains why: 'The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?' Self-trust is folly because the self deceives. Modern 'follow your heart' advice is anti-biblical—our hearts need transformation, not trust.

But whoso walketh wisely, he shall be delivered (וְהוֹלֵךְ בְּחָכְמָה הוּא יִמָּלֵט, veholekh vechokhmah hu yimmalet)—הָלַךְ (halakh, 'to walk, go') in חָכְמָה (chokhmah, 'wisdom') leads to מָלַט (malat, 'to escape, be delivered, slip away'). Wisdom means submitting to God's revelation rather than inner feelings. Proverbs 3:5-6: 'Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.'

Historical Context

Ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature consistently warned against trusting human wisdom apart from divine guidance. Egypt's wisdom literature similarly emphasized the limits of human understanding. Israel's distinctive contribution was identifying true wisdom with the fear of YHWH (Proverbs 9:10)—wisdom is not human achievement but divine gift received through revelation and obedience.

Questions for Reflection