King James Version

What Does Proverbs 30:32 Mean?

Proverbs 30:32 in the King James Version says “If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth.” — study this verse from Proverbs chapter 30 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth.”

Proverbs 30:32 · KJV

Context

30

A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any;

31

A greyhound ; an he goat also; and a king, against whom there is no rising up. greyhound: or, horse: Heb. girt in the loins

32

If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth.

33

Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.

Read Proverbs 30 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself (אִם־נָבַלְתָּ בְהִתְנַשֵּׂא, im-navalta vehitnasse)—אִם (im, 'if') introduces a conditional. נָבַל (naval, 'to be foolish, to act as a fool') combined with הִתְנַשֵּׂא (hitnasse, 'to lift oneself up, exalt oneself') describes self-exaltation—the root of so much folly. Pride precedes destruction (Proverbs 16:18).

Or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth (וְאִם־זַמּוֹתָ יָד לְפֶה, ve'im-zammota yad lefeh)—or if זָמַם (zamam, 'to plan, devise, scheme') evil, place יָד (yad, 'hand') upon פֶּה (peh, 'mouth'). The remedy for prideful words or evil schemes: silence. Stop talking. Job learned this: 'I will lay mine hand upon my mouth' (Job 40:4). James 1:19: 'Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.' Silence prevents compound folly—when you've erred, don't make it worse by justifying yourself.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern wisdom emphasized control of speech. Egyptian wisdom literature warned against hasty words. The gesture of hand over mouth symbolized humility and restraint (Job 21:5, 29:9). Agur's counsel: recognize folly immediately and cease multiplying it through defensive speech. This requires rare humility.

Reflection Questions

  1. When you've 'lifted yourself up' foolishly, do you compound the error by justifying yourself—or do you 'lay your hand upon your mouth'?
  2. What would it look like to practice immediate silence when you recognize you've erred?
  3. How does pride make you defend yourself rather than quickly confessing folly?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 7 words
אִם1 of 7
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

נָבַ֥לְתָּ2 of 7

“If thou hast done foolishly”

H5034

to wilt; generally, to fall away, fail, faint

בְהִתְנַשֵּׂ֑א3 of 7

“in lifting up”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

וְאִם4 of 7
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

זַ֝מּ֗וֹתָ5 of 7

“thyself or if thou hast thought evil”

H2161

to plan, usually in a bad sense

יָ֣ד6 of 7

“lay thine hand”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

לְפֶֽה׃7 of 7

“upon thy mouth”

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Proverbs. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Proverbs 30:32 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Proverbs 30:32 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Job 21:5Job 40:4Proverbs 26:12Romans 3:19Micah 7:16-17Ecclesiastes 8:3-4

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