Proverbs 25:19 Meaning and Explanation
“Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Trusting an unfaithful person when you need help is as painful and useless as a broken tooth or dislocated joint.
The Context of Proverbs 25:19
The danger of relying on faithless people in times of crisis.
What Does Proverbs 25:19 Mean?
A broken tooth cannot chew; a foot out of joint cannot walk. These injuries are painful and leave you unable to do what you need to do. When you rely on someone who is unfaithful, you experience a similar helplessness. You are in trouble, you reach out for aid, and the person fails you—leaving you worse off than if you had no help at all.
The pain of this betrayal is physical as well as emotional. You cannot get relief; you cannot proceed. The unfaithful person may have seemed reliable before the crisis, but under pressure he is revealed to be unreliable. This verse teaches the importance of knowing whom you can trust before you desperately need them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Proverbs 25:19
What does Proverbs 25:19 mean?
Trusting an unfaithful person when you need help is as painful and useless as a broken tooth or dislocated joint.
What is the context of Proverbs 25:19?
The danger of relying on faithless people in times of crisis.