What Does Proverbs 14:26 Mean in the King James?
In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
Awe of the LORD is not the opposite of confidence here; it is where confidence takes root, extending refuge to the next generation.
THE MEANING
Awe of the LORD is joined to strong confidence in the reader’s life now. The verse extends that security beyond the self: children have a place of refuge too.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It undoes the belief that awe of God makes a person less secure: here awe and strong confidence stand together.
THE ROOT
יִרְאָה
yirʾāh
GROWS FROM
ירא
y-r-ʾ
To fear, revere, or stand in awe.
The verse’s “fear” is awe toward the LORD, and it stands alongside strong confidence rather than opposing it. The same root holds reverence and awe, revealing a way of seeing God that can coexist with security.
ALSO GROWS
yārēʾ: To fear, revere, or stand in awe.
יָרֵא
This verbal form shows the response as an active orientation toward the one revered.
môrāʾ: Awe or dread.
מוֹרָא
This noun carries the same root’s range of awe and fear, making the verse’s reverence more than mere alarm.
מִבְטָח
mivṭāḥ
GROWS FROM
בטח
b-ṭ-ḥ
To trust, feel secure, or be confident.
“Strong confidence” grows from the language of trust and security. Its pairing with awe makes security something grounded in reliance on the LORD, not in having control over every circumstance.
ALSO GROWS
bāṭaḥ: To trust, rely on, or feel secure.
בָּטַח
The verb behind this family makes confidence a form of reliance, not bravado.
beṭaḥ: Securely or in safety.
בֶּטַח
This related form brings out the settled safety contained in the verse’s strong confidence.
THE PATTERN
Awe of the LORD is joined to steadiness and shelter, even where danger or uncertainty remains.
The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.Then had the churches rest throughout all Judæa and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.THE THREAD
The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.Both verses use the Hebrew root ירא (y-r-ʾ, yārēʾ, fear or awe) in relation to the LORD. Proverbs links that awe with confidence and refuge; Psalm 34:7 pictures protection surrounding those who fear him.
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