Proverbs 10:30 kjv

The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.

Proverbs 10:30 nkjv

The righteous will never be removed, But the wicked will not inhabit the earth.

Proverbs 10:30 niv

The righteous will never be uprooted, but the wicked will not remain in the land.

Proverbs 10:30 esv

The righteous will never be removed, but the wicked will not dwell in the land.

Proverbs 10:30 nlt

The godly will never be disturbed,
but the wicked will be removed from the land.

Proverbs 10 verses

Proverbs 10 30 Meaning

Proverbs 10:30 declares God's steadfast justice: those who live righteously according to His commands will experience stability and security in their place, while the wicked, who oppose His ways, will inevitably face displacement and impermanence, losing their footing and inheritance. It underscores the intrinsic link between character and destiny within God's moral order.

Proverbs 10 30 Context

Proverbs 10 marks the beginning of "The Proverbs of Solomon," a collection predominantly characterized by antithetical parallelism, contrasting the wise/righteous with the foolish/wicked. Each proverb generally stands independently, offering a concise, self-contained statement about cause and effect in the moral realm. The chapter emphasizes practical righteousness and its benefits (life, prosperity, blessing, security) versus wickedness and its consequences (poverty, shame, trouble, death, destruction). Verse 30 encapsulates this overarching theme by specifically addressing the enduring nature of the righteous and the impermanence of the wicked in relation to their place and inheritance, drawing upon the long-standing Biblical theme of God's covenant with His people regarding the land as a symbol of blessing for obedience.

Proverbs 10 30 Word analysis

• The righteous (צַדִּיק, tzaddiq): This Hebrew term signifies someone who conforms to God's standard of justice and moral rectitude; not necessarily flawless perfection, but a life aligned with divine commands and faithfulness. It implies uprightness, integrity, and adherence to covenant responsibilities.
• will never be removed (לֹא־יִמּוֹט לְעוֹלָם, lo'-yimmoṭ l'olam):
  • לֹא־ (lo'-): A strong negative particle, meaning "not" or "never."
  • יִמּוֹט (yimmoṭ): From the root מוט (moṭ), meaning "to totter," "to shake," "to be displaced," "to stumble," "to slip." It implies instability or impending fall. The negation indicates an assured state of stability.
  • לְעוֹלָם (l'olam): Meaning "forever," "for all time," "eternally," or "continually." Together, "never be removed forever" strongly emphasizes an unshakeable and permanent position. This speaks of security, steadfastness, and divine protection against being dislodged from their rightful place or blessing.
• but the wicked (וּרְשָׁעִים, u-r'sha'im):
  • וּ (u-): "But" or "and," serving here as a strong contrastive conjunction.
  • רְשָׁעִים (r'sha'im): The plural form of רָשָׁע (rasha'), meaning "wicked," "guilty," "unrighteous." It refers to those who are hostile or indifferent to God's law, whose actions are evil, and who oppress others. They are the antithesis of the tzaddiq.
• will not inhabit (לֹא־יִשְׁכּוֹן, lo'-yishkon):
  • לֹא־ (lo'-): Again, the negative "not."
  • יִשְׁכּוֹן (yishkon): From the root שׁכן (shakan), meaning "to dwell," "to inhabit," "to settle down," "to abide." This word often connotes permanence and security in a place. Its negation means they will not find stable residence.
• the land (אָרֶץ, aretz): This term can mean "earth," "ground," or "land," specifically referring to the Promised Land for Israel in many contexts. In Proverbs, it often symbolizes one's established place of blessing, prosperity, and secure inheritance within God's ordered world. It signifies a sphere of stable influence and belonging.
• "The righteous will never be removed": This phrase highlights divine endorsement and protection. It suggests a rootedness that withstands external pressures and challenges because their foundation is grounded in God's eternal principles. Their stability is not merely physical but also social, moral, and spiritual.
• "but the wicked will not inhabit the land": This phrase depicts ultimate exclusion and displacement. Despite any temporary success, the wicked's tenure is inherently insecure. Their failure to "inhabit the land" signifies a loss of true peace, a lack of secure inheritance, and an ultimate severing from the place of blessing promised by God, reflecting their lack of spiritual foundation. The antithetical parallelism vividly portrays God's retributive justice.

Proverbs 10 30 Bonus section

This proverb underscores a principle woven throughout the Bible: God’s justice is intrinsic to His character, and it governs the consequences of human behavior. While sometimes misunderstood as purely earthly prosperity, the "land" ultimately points to God's secure Kingdom, where only the righteous can truly dwell forever. The promise of the land (אָרֶץ) evolves from the literal inheritance of Canaan to the spiritual inheritance of "the earth" (as in Mt 5:5) and ultimately to the "new heavens and new earth" where righteousness dwells (2 Pet 3:13). This shows a progression from immediate, earthly application to eternal, spiritual fulfillment in God's eternal dwelling. The stability of the righteous is a reflection of the unshakeable nature of God's reign and His promises, while the impermanence of the wicked reflects their separation from the ultimate Source of life and stability.

Proverbs 10 30 Commentary

Proverbs 10:30 distills a foundational truth about God's moral governance of the world: character determines destiny. It is a powerful affirmation of divine justice and the enduring stability granted to those who align their lives with God's righteousness. The righteous are likened to a firmly planted entity that cannot be dislodged, reflecting God's commitment to uphold and protect His faithful. Their "not being removed" speaks to security, lasting presence, and ultimate vindication, irrespective of temporal trials. Conversely, the wicked, by their deliberate turning from God's ways, forfeit any true claim to secure dwelling. Their inability to "inhabit the land" means they lack deep roots, a genuine sense of belonging, or a lasting inheritance. While the "land" might originally refer to Israel's promised territory, it universally symbolizes any sphere of blessing, peace, and stable existence that flows from obedience to God. This proverb assures believers that ultimate stability, true peace, and a secure future belong to the upright, while those who persist in wickedness will find no lasting foundation or rest.