English Standard Version
Proverbs 30:32
32If you have been foolish, exalting yourself, or if you have been devising evil, put your hand on your mouth.
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!
- 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.
- New Living Translation (NLT)If you have been a fool by being proud or plotting evil, cover your mouth in shame.
Context of Proverbs 30:32
30the lion, which is mightiest among beasts and does not turn back before any; 31the strutting rooster, the he-goat, and a king whose army is with him. If you have been foolish, exalting yourself, or if you have been devising evil, put your hand on your mouth. 33For pressing milk produces curds, pressing the nose produces blood, and pressing anger produces strife.
Read all of Proverbs 30Proverbs 30:32 word by word
אִם־נָבַ֥לְתָּ בְהִתְנַשֵּׂ֑א וְאִם־זַ֝מּ֗וֹתָ יָ֣ד לְפֶֽה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 30:32
- Proverbs 26:12Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
- Ecclesiastes 8:3Be not hasty to go from his presence. Do not take your stand in an evil cause, for he does whatever he pleases.
- Proverbs 17:28Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.
- Job 21:5Look at me and be appalled, and lay your hand over your mouth.
- Job 40:4"Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth.
- Ecclesiastes 8:4For the word of the king is supreme, and who may say to him, "What are you doing?"
- Micah 7:16The nations shall see and be ashamed of all their might; they shall lay their hands on their mouths; their ears shall be deaf;
- Romans 3:19Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable 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
In the dictionaries
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
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries