Proverbs 16:30 kjv

He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.

Proverbs 16:30 nkjv

He winks his eye to devise perverse things; He purses his lips and brings about evil.

Proverbs 16:30 niv

Whoever winks with their eye is plotting perversity; whoever purses their lips is bent on evil.

Proverbs 16:30 esv

Whoever winks his eyes plans dishonest things; he who purses his lips brings evil to pass.

Proverbs 16:30 nlt

With narrowed eyes, people plot evil;
with a smirk, they plan their mischief.

Proverbs 16 verses

Proverbs 16 30 Meaning

Proverbs 16:30 describes the wicked individual through their telling non-verbal cues, linking these subtle gestures to their inner malicious intent and the eventual execution of their evil schemes. It reveals that secretive body language, such as winking or pressing lips, is not random but rather a deliberate outward manifestation of a heart actively planning and bringing about harm or perversity. The verse highlights the deceptive and insidious nature of such persons whose covert actions signal their underlying corrupt character.

Proverbs 16 30 Context

Proverbs chapter 16 frequently highlights the sovereignty of the Lord over human plans and purposes, contrasting the way of the wise with the path of the wicked. Verses earlier in the chapter (e.g., 16:1-9) discuss human intentions versus divine outcome, and the importance of committing one's works to the Lord. Later verses detail the attributes of wise rulers, the value of righteousness, and the folly of pride. Within this discourse, verse 16:30 serves as a stark warning about specific, subtle indicators of a wicked heart. It focuses on the deceptive communication and malicious execution that characterize individuals operating against God's order. Historically and culturally, Proverbial wisdom offered practical guidance for discerning character and navigating society, underscoring the ancient emphasis on observation of behavior as a key to understanding moral standing. This verse directly or indirectly cautions against deceptive practices common in human interactions.

Proverbs 16 30 Word analysis

• קֹרֵץ (qorets): This is a participle meaning "one who winks," "pinches," or "cuts off." In the context of the eye, it specifically means to wink. In biblical wisdom literature (e.g., Prov 6:13; 10:10), a wink is not innocent but a conspiratorial signal, implying a secret agreement, mockery, or an internal thought expressed outwardly to a select audience. It signifies hidden malicious intent or deception.
• עַיִן (ayin): "Eye." Paired with qorets, it forms the common Hebrew idiom "to wink an eye."
• לַחְשֹׁב (lachshov): An infinitive meaning "to devise," "to plan," "to scheme," or "to think." It conveys the internal mental process of creating and forming strategies, particularly those of a harmful nature.
• תַּהְפֻּכוֹת (tahpukhoth): Plural of tahpukah, meaning "perversity," "deviousness," "subversion," or "fickle acts." It denotes something twisted, perverse, or deceitful. The plural emphasizes the nature of these evil designs as manifold and entrenched.
• צֹרֵם (tsoresh): A participle, derived from the root tzaram, which is more difficult to translate precisely. It can mean "to nip off," "to compress," or "to cut." In this context with lips, common interpretations include "to press," "to bite," or "to purse" the lips. It suggests a non-verbal gesture signaling deep inner plotting, disdain, or a resolved malice. Some scholars see it as a silent gesture of secret communication or intense concentration on evil.
• שְׂפָתָיו (sefatayv): "His lips."
• הֵבִיא (hevi): Hiphil perfect tense, meaning "he brings," "he causes to come," or "he accomplishes." This verb signifies the effective execution or completion of an action, indicating that the internal planning is translated into actual evil deeds.
• רָעָה (ra'ah): "Evil," "wickedness," "harm," "misfortune," or "calamity." This refers to the outcome or nature of the act performed.

Proverbs 16 30 Bonus section

The verse underscores a profound biblical truth: true character is often revealed through subtle, unconscious habits and expressions as much as by overt actions or speech. While God knows the heart, wisdom literature teaches us to observe human behavior. This verse presents the wicked as actively engaged in malevolent activity, where their non-verbal cues are not incidental but are deliberate extensions of their wicked intentions. This suggests a total perversity of character, where even casual movements are imbued with destructive purpose. For the wise, this proverb emphasizes the need for spiritual discernment beyond mere superficial appearances, reminding believers to be cautious of those whose demeanor, though not openly hostile, subtly betrays a heart committed to perversity and the active instigation of harm. It implicitly encourages a walk of transparency and integrity, in direct contrast to the covert methods of the wicked.

Proverbs 16 30 Commentary

Proverbs 16:30 functions as a sagacious insight into the nature of wickedness. It bypasses open declarations of malice, instead revealing that the wicked often operate through subtle, clandestine actions that nonetheless betray their inner corruption. The "wink of the eye" (qorets `ayin) is not a casual gesture but a knowing, conspiratorial signal—a hidden language indicating perverse plans (lachshov tahpukhoth). It suggests an insidious communication among those bent on ill will, perhaps confirming a shared wicked intent without a single word.

The second part of the verse, with the pressing or pursing of lips (tsoresh sefatayv), continues this theme of subtle, telling gestures. This action can signify intense internal concentration on an evil plot, silent contempt, or the firm resolve to carry out wickedness. The consequence of this internal plotting, expressed through these external non-verbal cues, is concrete: "he brings evil to pass" (hevi ra'ah). This indicates that the malevolent thinking and the deceptive appearance are not merely abstract concepts but culminate in tangible harm. The parallelism highlights a trajectory from hidden intention to observable but secretive indicators, finally leading to the fulfillment of malicious action. This proverb serves as a vital discernment tool, urging observers to look beyond spoken words and interpret the body language of others, for the silent gestures of the wicked often speak volumes about their destructive designs.