Proverbs 3:29 - The Blessings of Wisdom

Do not devise evil against your neighbor
This 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. Neighbor
In 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. Solomon
Traditionally 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 Israel
The cultural and historical backdrop of Proverbs, where community living and neighborly relationships were vital for societal harmony.

Teaching Points

Integrity in Relationships
As 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 Foundation
Trust 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 Harmony
Living 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 Love
Our 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.

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" (μὴ ἀροτρία 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 not
אַל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

devise
רָעָ֑ה (rā·‘āh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 2790: To cut in, engrave, plow, devise

evil
תַּחֲרֹ֣שׁ (ta·ḥă·rōš)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil

against
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

your neighbor,
רֵעֲךָ֣ (rê·‘ă·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 7453: Friend, companion, fellow

for he
וְהֽוּא־ (wə·hū-)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

trustfully
לָבֶ֣טַח (lā·ḇe·ṭaḥ)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 983: A place of refuge, safety, safely

dwells
יוֹשֵׁ֖ב (yō·wō·šêḇ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

beside you.
אִתָּֽךְ׃ (’it·tāḵ)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among

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