Proverbs 30:13 kjv

There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.

Proverbs 30:13 nkjv

There is a generation?oh, how lofty are their eyes! And their eyelids are lifted up.

Proverbs 30:13 niv

those whose eyes are ever so haughty, whose glances are so disdainful;

Proverbs 30:13 esv

There are those ? how lofty are their eyes, how high their eyelids lift!

Proverbs 30:13 nlt

They look proudly around,
casting disdainful glances.

Proverbs 30 verses

Proverbs 30 13 Meaning

Proverbs 30:13 describes a particular type of individual, identified as a "generation" not by age, but by their prevailing character and moral disposition. These are people who, in their own subjective estimation, consider themselves to be morally clean, upright, and righteous. However, despite their self-assessment, they remain steeped in their spiritual and moral impurity. Their internal corruption and sin have not been genuinely removed or cleansed, making their self-proclaimed purity a stark and dangerous deception.

Proverbs 30 13 Context

Proverbs chapter 30 is attributed to Agur, son of Jakeh, an unknown figure distinct from Solomon. It is presented as a series of wise sayings and observations. Verse 13 is part of a sequence of descriptions (Proverbs 30:11-14) detailing four types of "generations" or classes of people who exemplify extreme moral flaws, introduced by the phrase "There is a generation." These specific generations highlight pride, arrogance, self-righteousness, and rapaciousness. Proverbs 30:13 directly addresses spiritual hypocrisy, focusing on inner defilement hidden behind a facade of purity. Historically, this theme resonates with ancient near eastern wisdom traditions that critiqued human pride and self-deception, as well as prophetic warnings within Israel against mere ritual adherence without a sincere heart for God.

Proverbs 30 13 Word analysis

• generation (דּוֹר - dōr): Not simply an age group, but a characteristic kind or class of people. It denotes those sharing a common moral or spiritual character. Here, it signifies a consistent pattern of behavior and attitude that marks a group.
• pure (טָהוֹר - ṭāhôr): Refers to being ritually or morally clean, blameless. The term carries connotations of purity, whether ceremonially acceptable or morally upright. In this verse, it indicates an assumed, subjective state of innocence or blamelessness.
• in their own eyes (בְּעֵינָיו - beēynāyv`): Emphasizes subjective perception. This phrase points to self-assessment rather than objective truth or divine judgment. Their purity is self-declared, not divinely verified. It highlights a deeply entrenched self-deception or a deliberate facade.
• and yet (וְ-): This conjunction (vav in Hebrew) functions here as a strong contrast, emphasizing the glaring disparity between self-perception and reality.
• is not washed (לֹא־רֻחַץ - lo-rukḥats): lo is "not"; rukḥats is a passive form, "is washed/cleansed." The passive voice underscores that the action of cleansing, which should have taken place, has not been done to them. This indicates a lack of genuine, transformative cleansing.
• from their filthiness (מִצֹּאָתָם - mitsōātām`): tsōāh` means filth, excrement, moral impurity, abomination, or defilement. It denotes something foul and abhorrent. The term leaves no doubt about the severity and repulsiveness of their internal corruption.

Words-Group analysis

• A generation pure in their own eyes: This phrase powerfully encapsulates self-righteousness and spiritual pride. It describes individuals who believe themselves to be morally exemplary without undergoing any true inward change. Their 'purity' is entirely internal and unfounded.
• and yet is not washed from their filthiness: This is the biting contrast. Despite their internal claims of purity, they are externally and spiritually still mired in their deep-seated corruption. It highlights the profound gulf between human self-perception and God's objective assessment of a person's true moral and spiritual state.

Proverbs 30 13 Bonus section

The concept of "generation" (dōr) in Proverbs 30:11-14 is critical, setting apart this section. It functions almost like a descriptor of a social or moral class rather than simply a group born at the same time. The "four generations" identified by Agur highlight different facets of ungodliness: those who curse their parents (rebellion, disrespect), those pure in their own eyes (self-deception, hypocrisy), those with haughty eyes and lifted eyelids (arrogance, pride), and those whose teeth are like swords (greed, exploitation). This structure implies that each 'generation' represents a deeply ingrained moral character type. Proverbs 30:13, in particular, speaks to the insidious nature of internal pride that makes one impenetrable to truth and unable to receive the genuine purification God offers.

Proverbs 30 13 Commentary

Proverbs 30:13 exposes the profound spiritual danger of self-deception regarding one's moral state. This "generation" represents those who elevate their own subjective assessment of their character above objective truth or God's standards. Their supposed "purity" is a delusion, often fueled by superficial adherence to religious forms or a comparison to others perceived as "worse." The cutting truth is that despite their outward appearances or internal rationalizations, their "filthiness"—deep-seated sin and corruption—remains unaddressed and unpurified. This verse is a stern warning against all forms of spiritual pride that avoid genuine introspection and heartfelt repentance. It underscores that true cleansing is not a human self-declaration but a divine work, received through humility and confession. Practical examples include those who are critical of others' failings while ignoring their own deeper spiritual flaws, or individuals who engage in charitable acts as a means to feel "good" about themselves without acknowledging their fundamental need for redemption from sin.