The Meaning of Proverbs 25:26 Explained

Proverbs 25:26

KJV: A righteous man falling down before the wicked is as a troubled fountain, and a corrupt spring.

YLT: A spring troubled, and a fountain corrupt, Is the righteous falling before the wicked.

Darby: A troubled fountain, and a defiled well, is a righteous man that giveth way before the wicked.

ASV: As a troubled fountain, and a corrupted spring,'so is a righteous man that giveth way before the wicked.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

A righteous  man falling down  before  the wicked  [is as] a troubled  fountain,  and a corrupt  spring. 

What does Proverbs 25:26 Mean?

Context Summary

Proverbs 25:15-28 - Self-Control And Kindliness
In this paragraph we have good advice as to our dealings with the varied characters with whom we are forced into daily contact. Here is a man hard as a bone-try gentleness, for a soft tongue will win his heart, just because it finds a new and unexpected way of approach which no one else has tried for long years"¦. Beware of honeyed words; you may get stung."¦ Do not make yourself too common, or pry into your neighbor's affairs, or ask his help too often"¦. Keep clear of the tale-bearer."¦ Be very careful to whom you confide your troubles"¦. Vinegar poured on potash makes it effervesce; so joyous mirth is incongruous to a heavy heart"¦. Even if your love fails to meet your enemy, the Lord will reward you by revealing and communicating His own perfection, Matthew 5:43-48."¦ If you frown on a backbiter, you will silence him."¦ Do not give way to the wicked, lest you become a corrupted spring"¦. Rule over your spirit-nay, better, hand over its keys to Emmanuel, and let Him be crowned in Mansoul. [source]

Chapter Summary: Proverbs 25

1  observations about kings
8  and about avoiding causes of quarrels

What do the individual words in Proverbs 25:26 mean?

[Is like] a spring murky and a well Polluted a righteous [man] who falters before the wicked
מַעְיָ֣ן נִ֭רְפָּשׂ וּמָק֣וֹר מָשְׁחָ֑ת צַ֝דִּ֗יק מָ֣ט לִפְנֵֽי־ רָשָֽׁע

מַעְיָ֣ן  [Is  like]  a  spring 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: מַעְיָן  
Sense: spring.
נִ֭רְפָּשׂ  murky 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: רָפַשׂ  
Sense: to stamp, tread, foul by stamping or treading.
וּמָק֣וֹר  and  a  well 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular
Root: מָקֹור  
Sense: spring, fountain.
מָשְׁחָ֑ת  Polluted 
Parse: Verb, Hofal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: שָׁחַת  
Sense: to destroy, corrupt, go to ruin, decay.
צַ֝דִּ֗יק  a  righteous  [man] 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: צַדִּיק  
Sense: just, lawful, righteous.
מָ֣ט  who  falters 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: מֹוט  
Sense: to totter, shake, slip.
לִפְנֵֽי־  before 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: לִפְנֵי 
Sense: face.
רָשָֽׁע  the  wicked 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: רָשָׁע  
Sense: wicked, criminal.