Proverbs 25:6 kjv
Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:
Proverbs 25:6 nkjv
Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, And do not stand in the place of the great;
Proverbs 25:6 niv
Do not exalt yourself in the king's presence, and do not claim a place among his great men;
Proverbs 25:6 esv
Do not put yourself forward in the king's presence or stand in the place of the great,
Proverbs 25:6 nlt
Don't demand an audience with the king
or push for a place among the great.
Proverbs 25 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference Note |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 25:7 | "For it is better that it be said to you, 'Come up here,' than that you should be put lower in the presence of a prince whom your eyes have seen." | Direct continuation: Humility leads to exaltation. |
| Prov 16:18 | "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." | Consequence of pride. |
| Prov 18:12 | "Before destruction a man's heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor." | Humility leads to honor. |
| Prov 27:2 | "Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips." | Let others praise, not yourself. |
| Prov 11:2 | "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom." | Humility is tied to wisdom. |
| Lk 14:7-11 | "When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honor... 'For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.'" | Jesus' parable echoing the Proverbs 25:6-7 wisdom. |
| Jas 4:6 | "But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'" | Divine opposition to pride, grace for humility. |
| 1 Pet 5:5-6 | "Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.' Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you." | Command to humble self under God's hand for future exaltation. |
| Rom 12:3 | "For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think..." | Call for sober self-assessment, avoiding arrogance. |
| Mt 23:12 | "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." | Jesus' principle of humility leading to exaltation. |
| Php 2:3-4 | "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." | Humility in treating others as superior. |
| Isa 2:11 | "The haughty looks of man shall be brought low, and the lofty pride of men shall be humbled, and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day." | God humbles the proud, ultimate exaltation of God. |
| Ezek 21:26 | "Thus says the Lord God: Remove the turban and take off the crown. Things shall not remain as they are. Exalt that which is low and abase that which is high." | God's inversion of human status. |
| Prov 29:23 | "One's pride will bring him low, but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor." | Pride leads to lowliness, humility to honor. |
| Ps 75:6-7 | "For not from the east or from the west and not from the wilderness comes exaltation, but it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another." | Exaltation comes from God, not self-effort. |
| 1 Sam 2:7-8 | "The Lord makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and he exalts... He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap..." | God's sovereignty over status. |
| Mic 6:8 | "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" | Humility is a core requirement from God. |
| Col 3:12 | "Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience." | Humility as a virtue for believers. |
| Ps 101:5 | "Whoever slanders his neighbor secretly I will destroy. Whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart I will not endure." | God's stance against haughty pride. |
| Jer 9:23-24 | "Thus says the Lord: 'Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me...'" | Boasting only in knowledge of God, not self. |
| Gen 12:2-3 | "I will make of you a great nation... I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse..." | Exaltation through divine promise, not human effort. |
| Prov 20:6 | "Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find?" | Discrediting self-proclamation. |
Proverbs 25 verses
Proverbs 25 6 Meaning
Proverbs 25:6 cautions against self-exaltation and presumption, especially in the presence of authority. It teaches that one should not put oneself forward or claim a prominent position that is not rightfully theirs, particularly when kings or respected individuals are present. This verse emphasizes the wisdom of humility and proper social decorum, advising individuals to wait to be honored rather than attempting to honor themselves.
Proverbs 25 6 Context
Proverbs chapter 25 is unique in that it compiles "Further proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied." This suggests that during King Hezekiah's reign (circa 8th century BC), there was an active effort to collect, preserve, and apply ancient Solomonic wisdom within the royal court and beyond. The proverbs in this section (25-29) often pertain to the proper conduct and wisdom in governmental affairs, social interactions, and dealings with kings and authorities, reflecting the interests of a court-commissioned collection.
Specifically, Proverbs 25:6-7 forms a powerful literary pair. Verse 6 gives the negative command (do not exalt yourself), and verse 7 provides the positive counter-command (wait to be called up) along with the motivation (it is better to be promoted than demoted). The immediate context illustrates the consequences of pride versus the rewards of humility in social settings, particularly among high-ranking individuals. Historically, in ancient Near Eastern courts, social hierarchy and honor were extremely significant, and a faux pas in protocol could have severe repercussions. The king was seen as God's anointed representative, deserving utmost respect, making any act of self-exaltation in his presence a grave offense. This wisdom was vital for young men entering public service or anyone interacting with the established social and political structures.
Proverbs 25 6 Word analysis
Do not exalt yourself (אַל־תִּתְהַדַּר – al-tithaddar):
- אַל (al): A negative particle, strong prohibition, "do not."
- תִּתְהַדַּר (tithaddar): Derived from the root הָדַר (hadar), meaning "to honor," "to adorn," "to show glory." In the Hithpael stem (as here), it becomes reflexive: "to make oneself glorious," "to bedeck oneself," "to vaunt oneself," or "to behave arrogantly." It signifies taking honor for oneself, presenting oneself as glorious or grand. The emphasis is on self-promotion or self-aggrandizement – claiming a position or status not rightfully one's own or that has not been bestowed.
in the king’s presence (לִפְנֵי־מֶלֶךְ – lifnei-melech):
- לִפְנֵי (lifnei): Literally "to the face of," or "before," "in the presence of." Indicates direct visibility and accountability.
- מֶלֶךְ (melech): "King." Represents supreme human authority, the apex of power and societal structure. In ancient Israel, the king often functioned as judge and supreme leader, and was considered God's anointed one, commanding immense respect and a specific etiquette in his court. The presence of a king signifies a context where proper order and humility are paramount.
and do not stand (וּבִמְקוֹם גְּדֹלִים אַל־תַּעֲמֹד – u-bimqom g'dolim al-ta'amod):
- וּ (u): "and" (a conjunction).
- אַל־תַּעֲמֹד (al-ta'amod): A negative prohibition (אַל) followed by the verb עָמַד (amad), meaning "to stand," "to remain," "to take a stand." Here it implies assuming a position, placing oneself, or occupying a seat/place. It denotes asserting oneself physically or symbolically in a particular position.
in the place of great men (בִּמְקוֹם גְּדֹלִים – bi-mqom g'dolim):
- בִּמְקוֹם (bi-mqom): "in the place of," "in the stead of." Refers to a specific physical location or an assigned social status/role.
- גְּדֹלִים (g'dolim): From גָּדַל (gadal), meaning "to be great." Here it refers to "great ones," "nobles," "officials," "prominent individuals," or "people of high rank/stature." It signifies those who already possess legitimate honor, authority, or influence within the societal hierarchy.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "Do not exalt yourself in the king's presence": This phrase establishes the primary setting and action to be avoided. It speaks to an immediate, powerful authority figure. "Exalting oneself" means an active, often aggressive, attempt to elevate one's status or make oneself prominent, which is seen as disrespectful and imprudent in such a powerful environment. It challenges the common human inclination towards seeking recognition and honor directly.
- "and do not stand in the place of great men": This phrase parallels and broadens the warning. While the first clause might suggest behavior, this second clause points more specifically to taking a position or assuming a status that belongs to those of higher rank. "Standing in the place" implies both physical space and social standing. The scope expands from a single king to "great men," meaning those of significant influence or honor generally, indicating a wider application beyond just the monarch himself, extending to the entire hierarchy of noble or respected individuals. This phrase emphasizes social etiquette and acknowledging legitimate hierarchy, cautioning against presumptuousness or disrespect for established order.
Proverbs 25 6 Bonus section
The specific inclusion of these proverbs by "the men of Hezekiah" highlights the practical value placed on these insights for governing and social order in ancient Israel. King Hezekiah was a reforming king who sought to restore faithful worship and just rule, implying that these proverbs were seen as integral to godly leadership and societal well-being. The emphasis on humility in royal contexts points to a significant distinction from some pagan cultures where self-aggrandizement of rulers or favored officials might have been encouraged. In biblical thought, true greatness often originates in humble service and righteous living. This proverb is thus not merely about social climbing, but about discerning true worth and authority, recognizing that it is God who ultimately grants favor and honor (Ps 75:6-7). This principle underscores that the fear of the Lord (which is the beginning of wisdom, Prov 9:10) naturally leads to a posture of humility before human authorities, reflecting a deeper respect for God's established order.
Proverbs 25 6 Commentary
Proverbs 25:6, immediately followed by verse 7, presents a crucial piece of ancient wisdom concerning social conduct and personal humility. It is a caution against self-importance and an exhortation to understand one's proper place. The context of a royal court intensifies the advice: in the presence of supreme authority, pride is not just impolite but dangerous. Any attempt to self-exalt, whether through boastful words, presumptuous actions, or assuming a position of honor not granted, would be seen as a challenge to the established order and an insult to those truly in authority.
The wisdom extends beyond mere court etiquette; it touches on fundamental spiritual principles. It teaches that true honor comes not from self-proclamation but from being recognized and elevated by others or, ultimately, by God. Attempting to seize honor for oneself is often met with humiliation, whereas a patient and humble demeanor opens the way for legitimate honor and promotion (as verse 7 clearly states, "For it is better that it be said to you, 'Come up here,' than that you should be put lower..."). This principle finds echoes throughout Scripture, particularly in the teachings of Jesus and the Apostles, who consistently emphasize that humility is a prerequisite for divine grace and true exaltation (e.g., Lk 14:7-11, Jas 4:6, 1 Pet 5:5-6). It calls believers to embrace a spirit of meekness and service, trusting God to lift them up in His time.
Examples:
- A new employee shouldn't assume the lead on a project or take the head seat at a meeting until explicitly asked or assigned.
- Someone attending a formal gathering should avoid positioning themselves prominently or interrupting senior figures unless invited to speak.
- In a spiritual context, a believer should not seek titles or positions for personal glory, but humbly serve and allow God to elevate them as He sees fit.