Proverbs 30:12 kjv

There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.

Proverbs 30:12 nkjv

There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes, Yet is not washed from its filthiness.

Proverbs 30:12 niv

those who are pure in their own eyes and yet are not cleansed of their filth;

Proverbs 30:12 esv

There are those who are clean in their own eyes but are not washed of their filth.

Proverbs 30:12 nlt

They are pure in their own eyes,
but they are filthy and unwashed.

Proverbs 30 verses

Proverbs 30 12 Meaning

This proverb describes a distinct group of people, referred to as a "generation," who possess a profound self-deception: they consider themselves morally pure and righteous. However, in reality, they remain spiritually defiled and unwashed from their inner corruption, characterized by inherent wickedness. Their external facade or self-perception is clean, but their true, inward state is permeated by filthiness and sin, indicating a fundamental lack of genuine cleansing or repentance before God.

Proverbs 30 12 Context

Proverbs chapter 30 contains the words of Agur son of Jakeh, a distinct collection of wisdom distinct from Solomon's proverbs. Agur presents his sayings as observations about life, humanity, and divine wisdom, often through numerical proverbs (e.g., vv. 15, 18, 21, 24). This specific verse, 30:12, falls within a section (verses 11-14) that describes a series of four morally depraved "generations" or classes of people. Each of these "generations" represents an extreme form of wickedness or spiritual deviation, highlighting common pitfalls of human sinfulness. The overarching context of Proverbs is to provide instruction for living wisely and righteously according to God's ways, contrasting such paths with the folly and destruction that result from rejecting divine truth. Verse 12 identifies a particularly dangerous form of spiritual pride and self-deception, which prevents individuals from acknowledging their need for true repentance and divine purification.

Proverbs 30 12 Word analysis

• There is a generation (Hebrew: dôr, דּוֹר): "Generation" here refers not primarily to an age group, but to a type or class of people characterized by certain moral traits. This usage highlights a pervasive characteristic across individuals, indicating a collective spiritual disposition rather than a mere time period.
• that are pure (Hebrew: tahor, טָהוֹר): This word denotes ritual or ceremonial cleanness (often used for objects or actions in the Temple service) and also moral purity. Here, the emphasis is on claimed or self-perceived purity, which is superficial and external. It contrasts sharply with actual, God-given inner purity.
• in their own eyes (Hebrew: be'ênâw, בְּעֵינָיו): This phrase is crucial. It signifies a subjective assessment, indicating that their purity is based solely on their personal judgment, divorced from objective reality or divine standards. It highlights self-righteousness, self-delusion, and spiritual arrogance, suggesting a refusal to see themselves as God sees them.
• and yet is not washed (Hebrew: lo' ruchats, לֹא רֻחַץ): The negative particle "lo'" combined with "ruchats" (passive, from rachats, to wash or bathe) directly contradicts their self-assessment. It implies an essential lack of purification. The verb "to wash" suggests a deep, thorough cleansing process, usually implying the removal of dirt or sin. The passive form highlights that they have not been washed by an external agent (God or a spiritual process).
• from their filthiness (Hebrew: mi-tso'atam, מִצּוֹאָתָם): This term (tso'ah) is a strong and offensive word, commonly referring to excrement, refuse, or dung. Its use here vividly depicts extreme moral and spiritual impurity. It signifies an ingrained, repulsive corruption, underscoring the severity of their unacknowledged sin and their truly defiled internal state, in stark contrast to their claimed "purity."

• a generation that are pure in their own eyes: This phrase powerfully describes a state of profound spiritual blindness and self-deception. It speaks of individuals who construct their own moral reality, exempting themselves from genuine spiritual scrutiny and accountability before God. Their perceived purity is an internal construct, a lie they tell themselves.
• and yet is not washed from their filthiness: This is the devastating revelation of the verse. The "yet" introduces a harsh counterpoint to their self-perception. Despite their conviction of purity, their true condition is one of deep moral defilement, an unaddressed state of spiritual uncleanness that demands cleansing they have not received.

Proverbs 30 12 Bonus section

This verse implies that true spiritual purity cannot originate from self-effort or self-perception but requires a divine act of cleansing. The use of "filthiness" (צֹאָה) is a particularly strong choice, indicating not just superficial dirt but ingrained, repugnant defilement that renders one spiritually abhorrent in God's sight. This powerful imagery underscores that the "washing" required is not merely symbolic but a deep purification, unattainable by human means alone. It critiques the very core of spiritual narcissism, highlighting that those most convinced of their own righteousness are often the furthest from it. This type of self-deception is particularly dangerous because it acts as a barrier to repentance and thus to the redemptive work of Christ.

Proverbs 30 12 Commentary

Proverbs 30:12 masterfully exposes the pervasive spiritual malady of self-righteousness and self-deception. It identifies a "generation" (a type of person) whose greatest blindness lies in their unmerited belief in their own purity. They stand in their own eyes as clean, judging themselves by flawed standards, possibly by comparing themselves favorably to others or adhering superficially to external observances. However, this internal conviction is tragically false. The powerful imagery of being "unwashed from their filthiness" unveils their true spiritual state: they are internally corrupted, defiled by sin, like waste that has not been purged. This hidden defilement, often consisting of pride, lust, anger, or covetousness that remains unconfessed and unrepented of, creates a chasm between their self-image and God's reality. The failure to acknowledge this inner "filthiness" prevents them from seeking the divine washing and true spiritual regeneration that can only come from God. It serves as a stark warning against spiritual arrogance, emphasizing that genuine purity is not a matter of self-declaration but a transforming work of God.

Examples:

• A religious person who rigorously observes rituals but harbors bitterness or prejudice in their heart.
• Someone who outwardly appears moral and philanthropic but denies their own sinful nature and dependence on God's grace.
• A person who judges others harshly for their perceived sins while overlooking their own deeper spiritual shortcomings.