Proverbs 30:32

Proverbs 30:32 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth.
• New International Version (NIV)“If you play the fool and exalt yourself, or if you plan evil, clap your hand over your mouth!
• English Standard Version (ESV)If you have been foolish, exalting yourself, or if you have been devising evil, put your hand on your mouth.
• New King James Version (NKJV)If you have been foolish in exalting yourself, Or if you have devised evil, put your hand on your mouth.

Context of Proverbs 30:32

30The lion, mighty among beasts, which turneth not away for any; 31a [horse] girt in the loins; or the he-goat; and a king, against whom none can rise up. If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, [lay] the hand upon thy mouth. 33For the pressing of milk bringeth forth butter, and the pressing of the nose bringeth forth blood; and the pressing of anger bringeth forth strife.

Proverbs 30:32 word by word

אִם־נָבַ֥לְתָּ בְהִתְנַשֵּׂ֑א וְאִם־זַ֝מּ֗וֹתָ יָ֣ד לְפֶֽה׃Read the interlinear

• handיָדyâd · handH3027
• mouthפֶּהpeh · lipH6310

Cross-references for Proverbs 30:32

• Proverbs 26:12Hast thou seen a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope of a fool than of him.
• Ecclesiastes 8:3Be not hasty to go out of his sight; persist not in an evil thing: for he doeth whatever pleaseth him,
• Proverbs 17:28Even a fool when he holdeth his peace is reckoned wise, [and] he that shutteth his lips, intelligent.
• Job 21:5Mark me, and be astonished, and lay the hand upon the mouth.
• Job 40:4Behold, I am nought: what shall I answer thee? I will lay my hand upon my mouth.
• Ecclesiastes 8:4because the word of a king is power; and who may say unto him, What doest thou?
• Micah 7:16— The nations shall see, and be ashamed for all their might: they shall lay [their] hand upon [their] mouth, their ears shall be deaf.
• Romans 3:19Now we know that whatever the things the law says, it speaks to those under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world be under judgment to God.

Commentaries on Proverbs 30:32

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 32If thou hast done foolishly - And who has not, at one time or other of his life? Lay thine hand upon thy mouth - Like the leper; and cry to God, Unclean! unclean! and keep silence to all besides. God will blot out thy offense, and neither the world nor the Church ever know it, for he is merciful; and man is rarely able to pass by a sin committed by his fellows, especially if it be one to which himself is by nature not liable or inclined.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 32Lay thine hand upon thy mouth - The act expresses the silence of humiliation and repentance after the sin has been committed, and that of self-restraint, which checks the haughty or malignant thought before it has passed even into words.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 29-33Verses 29-33 We may learn from animals to go well; also to keep our temper under all provocations. We must keep the evil thought in our minds from breaking out into evil speeches. We must not stir up the passions of others. Let nothing be said or done with violence, but every thing with softness and calmness. Alas, how often have we done foolishly in rising up against the Lord our King! Let us humble ourselves before him. And having found peace with Him…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 3232. As none can hope, successfully, to resist such a king, suppress even the thought of an attempt. lay ... hand upon thy mouth--"lay" is well supplied (Jud 18:19; Job 29:9; 40:4).Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 30:32

• Humility

In the dictionaries

• Agur
• Convenient
• Folk
• Food
• Hand
• Massa
• Proverbs, the Book of
• Zoology

Commentaries on Proverbs 30

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings