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, king of animals, who won’t turn aside for anything, 31the strutting rooster, the male goat, a king as he leads his army. If you have been a fool by being proud or plotting evil, cover your mouth in shame. 33As the beating of cream yields butter and striking the nose causes bleeding, so stirring up anger causes quarrels.

Proverbs 30:32 word by word

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

Words taken from the KJV.

• If thou hast done foolishlyנָבַלnâbêl · be senselessH5034
• in lifting upנָשָׂאnâώâ' nâsâh · to lift: exaltH5375
• thyself, or if thou hast thought evilזָמַםzâmam · to planH2161
• thine handיָדyâd · handH3027
• upon thy mouthפֶּהpeh · lipH6310

Cross-references for Proverbs 30:32

• Proverbs 26:12There is more hope for fools than for people who think they are wise.
• Ecclesiastes 8:3Don’t try to avoid doing your duty, and don’t stand with those who plot evil, for the king can do whatever he wants.
• Proverbs 17:28Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.
• Job 21:5Look at me and be stunned. Put your hand over your mouth in shock.
• Job 40:4“I am nothing—how could I ever find the answers? I will cover my mouth with my hand.
• Ecclesiastes 8:4His command is backed by great power. No one can resist or question it.
• Micah 7:16All the nations of the world will stand amazed at what the Lord will do for you. They will be embarrassed at their feeble power. They will cover their mouths in silent awe, deaf to everything around them.
• Romans 3:19Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before 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