Proverbs 25:26
Proverbs 25:26 in Multiple Translations
Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked.
A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.
As a troubled fountain, and a corrupted spring, So is a righteous man that giveth way before the wicked.
Like a troubled fountain and a dirty spring, is an upright man who has to give way before evil-doers.
Good people who give in to the wicked are like a muddied spring or a polluted well.
A righteous man falling downe before the wicked, is like a troubled well, and a corrupt spring.
A spring troubled, and a fountain corrupt, [Is] the righteous falling before the wicked.
Like a muddied spring and a polluted well, so is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a turbid fountain, and a corrupt spring.
A just man falling down before the wicked, is as a fountain troubled with the foot, and a corrupted spring.
When a righteous/good person ◄gives in/yields► to wicked people, that is as bad as [SIM] a spring that becomes muddied or a fountain that becomes polluted.
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 25:26
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Proverbs 25:26 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
מַעְיָ֣ן
נִ֭רְפָּשׂ
וּ/מָק֣וֹר
מָשְׁחָ֑ת
צַ֝דִּ֗יק
מָ֣ט
לִ/פְנֵֽי
רָשָֽׁע
מַעְיָ֣ן
maʻyân
H4599
spring
N-ms
נִ֭רְפָּשׂ
râphas
H7515
to foul
V-Niphal
וּ/מָק֣וֹר
mâqôwr
H4726
fountain
Conj | N-ms
מָשְׁחָ֑ת
shâchath
H7843
to ruin
V-Hophal-Inf-c
צַ֝דִּ֗יק
tsaddîyq
H6662
righteous
Adj
מָ֣ט
môwṭ
H4131
to shake
V-Qal
לִ/פְנֵֽי
pânîym
H6440
face
Prep | N-cp
רָשָֽׁע
râshâʻ
H7563
wicked
Adj
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 25:26
מַעְיָ֣ן
maʻyân
H4599
"spring"
N-ms
A mayan was a spring or fountain, and can also refer to a source of satisfaction. It is mentioned in the Bible as a physical spring, but also figuratively as a source of joy or comfort.
Definition: spring
Usage: Occurs in 23 OT verses. KJV: fountain, spring, well. See also: Genesis 7:11; Psalms 87:7; Psalms 74:15.
נִ֭רְפָּשׂ
râphas
H7515
"to foul"
V-Niphal
Fouling water by trampling it is what this word describes, like in Ezekiel 34:18 where the prophet talks about fouling the water. It can also mean to trouble or stir up something.
Definition: 1) to stamp, tread, foul by stamping or treading 1a) (Qal) to tread down, foul by treading, foul with the feet 1b) (Niphal) to be fouled
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: foul, trouble. See also: Proverbs 25:26; Ezekiel 32:2; Ezekiel 34:18.
וּ/מָק֣וֹר
mâqôwr
H4726
"fountain"
Conj | N-ms
Maqor means a fountain or a source of water, like a spring or a well. It can also refer to the source of happiness, wisdom, or life. This term is used to describe a source of something valuable or life-giving.
Definition: 1) spring, fountain 1a) spring 1a1) of source of life, joy, purification (fig.) 1b) of the eye (fig.) 1c) source (of menstruous blood) 1d) flow (of blood after child birth)
Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: fountain, issue, spring, well(-spring). See also: Leviticus 12:7; Proverbs 16:22; Psalms 36:10.
מָשְׁחָ֑ת
shâchath
H7843
"to ruin"
V-Hophal-Inf-c
This verb means to ruin or destroy something, and it is used in various forms throughout the Bible to describe corruption and decay.
Definition: 1) to destroy, corrupt, go to ruin, decay 1a) (Niphal) to be marred, be spoiled, be corrupted, be corrupt, be injured, be ruined, be rotted 1b) (Piel) 1b1) to spoil, ruin 1b2) to pervert, corrupt, deal corruptly (morally) 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to spoil, ruin, destroy 1c2) to pervert, corrupt (morally) 1c3) destroyer (participle) 1d) (Hophal) spoiled, ruined (participle) Aramaic equivalent: she.chat (שְׁחַת "to corrupt" H7844)
Usage: Occurs in 136 OT verses. KJV: batter, cast off, corrupt(-er, thing), destroy(-er, -uction), lose, mar, perish, spill, spoiler, [idiom] utterly, waste(-r). See also: Genesis 6:11; Psalms 14:1; Psalms 53:2.
צַ֝דִּ֗יק
tsaddîyq
H6662
"righteous"
Adj
Means being just or righteous, as seen in government, personal conduct, or character, often describing someone made right with God. It appears in descriptions of King David and other biblical leaders. The concept is central to the Bible's teachings on morality and ethics.
Definition: 1) just, lawful, righteous 1a) just, righteous (in government) 1b) just, right (in one's cause) 1c) just, righteous (in conduct and character) 1d) righteous (as justified and vindicated by God) 1e) right, correct, lawful
Usage: Occurs in 197 OT verses. KJV: just, lawful, righteous (man). See also: Genesis 6:9; Proverbs 10:31; Psalms 1:5.
מָ֣ט
môwṭ
H4131
"to shake"
V-Qal
This Hebrew word means to shake or waver, like something that's unstable. It appears in books like Psalms and Proverbs, to describe things that are falling apart or unstable. The KJV translates it as 'be carried' or 'fall'.
Definition: 1) to totter, shake, slip 1a) (Qal) to totter, shake, slip 1b) (Niphal) to be shaken, be moved, be overthrown 1c) (Hiphil) to dislodge, let fall, drop 1d) (Hithpael) to be greatly shaken
Usage: Occurs in 36 OT verses. KJV: be carried, cast, be out of course, be fallen in decay, [idiom] exceedingly, fall(-ing down), be (re-) moved, be ready, shake, slide, slip. See also: Leviticus 25:35; Psalms 62:3; Psalms 10:6.
לִ/פְנֵֽי
pânîym
H6440
"face"
Prep | N-cp
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.
רָשָֽׁע
râshâʻ
H7563
"wicked"
Adj
This word describes someone who is morally wrong, a bad person who is guilty of crime or sin against God or others. It is used to describe the wicked in biblical stories, such as in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) wicked, criminal 1a) guilty one, one guilty of crime (subst) 1b) wicked (hostile to God) 1c) wicked, guilty of sin (against God or man)
Usage: Occurs in 248 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did wrong. See also: Genesis 18:23; Psalms 101:8; Psalms 1:1.
Study Notes — Proverbs 25:26
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 25:26 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 25:26
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 25:26
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 25:26
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 25:26
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 25:26
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 25:26
- Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 25:26
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 25:26
- Sermons on Proverbs 25:26
Context — More Proverbs of Solomon
24Better to live on a corner of the roof than to share a house with a quarrelsome wife.
25Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land.
26Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked.
27It is not good to eat too much honey or to search out one’s own glory. 28Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who does not control his temper.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ezekiel 34:18–19 | Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture? Must you also trample the rest of the pasture with your feet? Is it not enough for you to drink the clear waters? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet? Why must My flock feed on what your feet have trampled, and drink what your feet have muddied?’ |
| 2 | 1 Samuel 22:14–18 | Ahimelech answered the king, “Who among all your servants is as faithful as David, the king’s son-in-law, the captain of your bodyguard who is honored in your house? Was that day the first time I inquired of God for him? Far be it from me! Let not the king accuse your servant or any of my father’s household, for your servant knew nothing of this whole affair—not in part or in whole.” But the king replied, “You will surely die, Ahimelech, you and all your father’s house!” Then the king ordered the guards at his side, “Turn and kill the priests of the LORD, because they too sided with David. For they knew he was fleeing, but they did not tell me.” But the king’s servants would not lift a hand to strike the priests of the LORD. So the king ordered Doeg, “You turn and strike down the priests!” And Doeg the Edomite turned and struck down the priests himself. On that day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod. |
| 3 | 1 Thessalonians 2:15 | who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and drove us out as well. They are displeasing to God and hostile to all men, |
| 4 | Matthew 26:69–74 | Meanwhile, Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came up to him. “You also were with Jesus the Galilean,” she said. But he denied it before them all: “I do not know what you are talking about.” When Peter had gone out to the gateway, another servant girl saw him and said to the people there, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man!” After a little while, those standing nearby came up to Peter. “Surely you are one of them,” they said, “for your accent gives you away.” At that he began to curse and swear to them, “I do not know the man!” And immediately a rooster crowed. |
| 5 | Acts 7:52 | Which of the prophets did your fathers fail to persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One. And now you are His betrayers and murderers— |
| 6 | Genesis 4:8 | Then Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let us go out to the field.” And while they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. |
| 7 | 2 Chronicles 24:21–22 | But they conspired against Zechariah, and by order of the king, they stoned him in the courtyard of the house of the LORD. Thus King Joash failed to remember the kindness that Zechariah’s father Jehoiada had extended to him. Instead, Joash killed Jehoiada’s son. As he lay dying, Zechariah said, “May the LORD see this and call you to account.” |
| 8 | Revelation 17:6 | I could see that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints and witnesses for Jesus. And I was utterly amazed at the sight of her. |
| 9 | Ezekiel 32:2 | “Son of man, take up a lament for Pharaoh king of Egypt and say to him: ‘You are like a lion among the nations; you are like a monster in the seas. You thrash about in your rivers, churning up the waters with your feet and muddying the streams.’ |
| 10 | Matthew 23:34–37 | Because of this, I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify, and others you will flog in your synagogues and persecute in town after town. And so upon you will come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. Truly I tell you, all these things will come upon this generation. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling! |
Proverbs 25:26 Summary
Proverbs 25:26 teaches us that when a righteous person gives in to the pressure of ungodly people, they become ineffective and polluted, just like a muddied spring or a polluted well. This means that compromising our values or surrendering to the wicked can harm our relationship with God and our witness to others, as seen in 2 Corinthians 6:14. To avoid this, we need to stand firm on God's Word and surround ourselves with godly influences, as encouraged in Psalm 119:11. By doing so, we can maintain our integrity and be a source of spiritual refreshment to others, rather than being polluted by the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for a righteous man to give way to the wicked?
This means that when a righteous person compromises their values or surrenders to the pressure of ungodly people, they become ineffective and polluted, just like a muddied spring or a polluted well, as seen in Proverbs 25:26. This is similar to what the Apostle Paul warns against in 2 Corinthians 6:14, where he cautions believers not to be yoked together with unbelievers.
How can a righteous man avoid giving way to the wicked?
A righteous man can avoid giving way to the wicked by standing firm on the teachings of God's Word, as encouraged in Psalm 119:11, and by surrounding themselves with godly influences, as seen in Proverbs 27:17. By doing so, they can maintain their integrity and avoid being polluted by the world.
What are the consequences of a righteous man giving way to the wicked?
When a righteous man gives way to the wicked, they can lose their effectiveness in sharing the Gospel and living a life that honors God, as warned in Matthew 5:13. This can also lead to spiritual pollution, causing harm to themselves and others, as seen in Proverbs 25:26.
Is it possible for a righteous man to recover from giving way to the wicked?
Yes, it is possible for a righteous man to recover from giving way to the wicked, as seen in the story of King David in Psalm 51, where he repented and was restored after his sin. This is also encouraged in 1 John 1:9, where it says that if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I may be giving way to the wicked, and how can I stand firm against them?
- How can I balance being a light in a dark world with avoiding the pollution of the wicked, as seen in Matthew 5:14-16?
- What are some ways I can surround myself with godly influences and accountability to help me stay righteous, as encouraged in Hebrews 10:24-25?
- How can I maintain my integrity and avoid being polluted by the world, as warned in James 1:27?
- What does it mean for me to be a 'muddied spring or a polluted well' in my relationships and witness, and how can I avoid this?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 25:26
A righteous man falling dozen before the wicked,.... Either falling into calamity and distress by means of the wicked man, through his malice and cunning, and which be seeing, rejoices at; or
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 25:26
A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring. A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 25:26
Falling down; either, 1. Into sin. So the sense is, When a just man is either allured or terrified into any sinful practice before wicked men, or into any base and servile compliance with their lusts, he who by his excellent counsels was like a fountain or well of life, as his mouth is called, , sending forth refreshing streams for the benefit of many, is now corrupted and rendered unserviceable. Or rather, 2. Into misery, of which kind of falling this word is constantly used, and never to my remembrance of falling into sin. And so the sense is this, When righteous men are oppressed and devoured by the wicked, the state of that commonwealth is as deplorable, as if the public fountains, from whence all the people fetch their water, were corrupted, and it is a sign that the fountains of justice are poisoned.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 25:26
Proverbs 25:26 A righteous man falling down before the wicked [is as] a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.Ver. 26. A righteous man falling down before the wicked,] i.e., Doing anything, though by mere frailty, unbeseeming his profession, or that redounds not to the scandal of the weak only, but to the scorn of the wicked, "is as a troubled fountain," &c., is greatly disgraced and prejudiced. What a blemish was it for Abraham to fall under the reproof of Abimelech! for Samson to be taken by the Philistines in a whorehouse! for Josiah to be inminded of his duty by Pharaoh Necho! for Peter to be drawn by a silly wench to deny his master, &c.! Was not the fountain here troubled when trampled by the feet of these beasts? the spring corrupted when conscience is thus defiled and gashed? Let it be our care to cleanse this spring of all pollutions of flesh and spirit; as a troubled fountain will clear itself, and as sweet water made brackish by the coming in of the salt, yet if naturally it be sweet, at length it will work it out.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 25:26
(26) A righteous man falling down before the wicked . . .—The mouth of the righteous was described (Proverbs 10:11) as a “well of life,” from the comfort and refreshment it brings to the weary- through the just and kindly counsel it offers. But if the righteous man yields to the pressure put upon him by the wicked, and through fear or favour gives up his principles, then he can no longer give forth counsel out of a pure heart; he becomes like a fountain which has been fouled by the feet of cattle drinking at it (Ezekiel 34:18), and like a corrupted spring.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 25:26
26. falling down] Better, with R.V., that giveth way, or (marg.) is moved. To see a righteous man moved from his stedfastness through fear or favour in the presence of the wicked is as disheartening, as to find the stream turbid and defiled, at which you were longing to quench your thirst. Lord Bacon, quoted by Lange, gives the proverb a judicial application: “This proverb teaches that an unjust and scandalous judgement in any conspicuous and weighty cause is above all things to be avoided in the State.” And again, “One foul sentence doeth more hurt than many foul examples; for these do but corrupt the stream, the other corrupteth the fountain.” troubled] Lit. trampled, i.e. fouled by the feet. Comp. Ezekiel 34:18, where the same Heb. word is used of water, with the addition of “with your feet.” corrupt] Better, corrupted, R.V.
Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 25:26
Falling down before - i. e., Yielding and cringing. To see this instead of stedfastness, is as grievous as for the traveler to find the spring at which he hoped to quench his thirst turbid and defiled.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 25:26
26. Falling down — Slipping, wavering, tottering, or ready to fall. It is used of persons whose affairs are not prosperous — who fail or are ruined in business.
Sermons on Proverbs 25:26
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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(Through the Bible) Ezekiel 31-35 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker addresses the issue of churches putting on entertaining programs to draw crowds instead of focusing on sound doctrine. He emphasizes that people with it |
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(Awake! Series): Prepare by Prayer by A.W. Tozer | In this sermon, the preacher uses the analogy of pugilists and their preparation for fights to illustrate the importance of taking care of oneself spiritually. He emphasizes the ne |
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(Becoming a Prophetic Church) 2. Jewish Unbelief by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker recounts his experience of hand-delivering a book to a Jewish man named Mr. Sherman. Despite the speaker's hopes for a face-to-face conversation, Mr. Sh |
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Help Wanted: A Potter by Warren Wiersbe | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Jacob and his encounter with God at Bethel. Jacob had run away from his family and was sleeping with a stone as a pillow when he |
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K-026 I Love the lord...but by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the story of Peter's denial of Jesus and the disciples' failure to stand firm in their faith. He then transitions to discussing the first ch |
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Encounter With God - Session 1 by Greg Frizzell | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes that God is not stingy, angry, or unkind, but rather merciful and gracious. He loves to work miracles and save people. However, it is import |
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From Simon to Peter #21 - Forewarned but Not Forearmed by J. Glyn Owen | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on the theme of transformation from Simon to Peter. He highlights the objectivity and honesty of the scripture writers in portraying the faults |