Proverbs 30:5 kjv

Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

Proverbs 30:5 nkjv

Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.

Proverbs 30:5 niv

"Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

Proverbs 30:5 esv

Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

Proverbs 30:5 nlt

Every word of God proves true.
He is a shield to all who come to him for protection.

Proverbs 30 verses

Proverbs 30 5 Meaning

Proverbs 30:5 asserts that every utterance and revealed word of God is thoroughly tested, purified, and absolutely flawless. It is akin to refined metal, free from impurities. Following this declaration of the Word's perfect nature, the verse states that God Himself acts as an ultimate protector and defense for those who wholeheartedly rely on and seek refuge in Him.

Proverbs 30 5 Context

Proverbs chapter 30 opens with "The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, even the prophecy." Agur introduces himself with a posture of humility, acknowledging his limited human wisdom and frailty (vv. 1-4). Immediately following his personal confession and quest for truth (asking for two things before he dies: removal of falsehood and lies, and being neither too rich nor too poor, v. 7-9), verse 5 lays a foundational statement regarding the ultimate source of infallible truth: God's word. It sets the standard by which all human claims to truth should be measured and forms a prerequisite for trusting the Divine Speaker. Verse 6 then naturally flows as a warning against tampering with this perfectly pure Word. This positions verse 5 as the core principle for divine wisdom, upon which faithful living is built.

Proverbs 30 5 Word analysis

• Every word: (Hebrew: kāl-’im·raṯ, כָּל־אִמְרַ֣ת). Kāl means "all" or "every," emphasizing completeness and comprehensiveness. Imrath refers to a saying, utterance, or speech, often poetic. Together, it denotes not just a part, but the totality of God's revealed expressions—oral or written. This indicates God's complete and universal reliability in all His declarations.

• of God: (Hebrew: ’ĕ·lō·w·ha’, אֱלֽוֹהַּ). This is the singular form of God, emphasizing the one true Divine Being, Eloah, rather than a generic deity or multiple gods. This highlights the unique source and absolute authority of these words.

• is pure: (Hebrew: ṣə·rū·p̄āh, צְרוּפָה). Derived from the verb ṣārāp̄, meaning "to refine," "purify," or "test by fire." It describes something that has undergone a rigorous process to remove all impurities, much like precious metal. It implies perfect quality, freedom from error, fault, or contamination. It denotes proven, authentic, and completely trustworthy.

• he is a shield: (Hebrew: mā·ḡên hū, מָגֵן־הוּא). Māḡên means "shield" or "buckler," a defensive weapon. Hū is "He," pointing directly to God Himself. This signifies that God, who utters the pure word, is actively and personally the protector. The purity of His word underpins His protective character.

• unto them that put their trust: (Hebrew: la·ḥō·sîm, לַחֹסִ֥ים). Ḥāsāh means "to seek refuge," "to trust," "to flee for protection." It signifies active and reliant dependence, finding shelter or security in someone. It implies a conscious act of confidence and taking refuge.

• in him: (Hebrew: bōw, בּֽוֹ׃). The preposition bə (in/on/with) followed by the pronoun w (him), reinforces that the trust is directed explicitly towards God Himself, not just His words in an abstract sense. The protection comes from relationship and reliance on God.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Every word of God is pure": This phrase asserts the perfect, flawless, and tried nature of divine revelation. It highlights God's intrinsic character of truthfulness and infallibility, extended to His spoken and written Word. This stands in contrast to fallible human wisdom or deceptive utterances.
  • "he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him": This establishes a direct consequence and promise for those who embrace the purity of God's word through personal faith. It signifies divine protection and security for those who seek refuge in God, founded upon His unwavering truth and character. The protective action is for those who actively believe and depend.

Proverbs 30 5 Bonus section

The proximity of Proverbs 30:6 to verse 5 is crucial. Proverbs 30:6 immediately warns, "Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar." This highlights the importance of preserving the absolute purity and sufficiency of God's Word. If God's word is truly pure and perfect, then adding to it (as though it were incomplete or flawed) or subtracting from it (as though parts were unnecessary) constitutes an accusation against its divine origin and nature. It implies a severe spiritual consequence: being called a "liar," signifying that one has misrepresented or corrupted divine truth, similar to how false prophets are rebuked in Scripture for speaking "their own words" rather than God's. This further solidifies the theme of divine authority and inerrancy central to Proverbs 30:5.

Proverbs 30 5 Commentary

Proverbs 30:5 provides a bedrock theological truth: God's Word is unequivocally pure and perfect. This means it is entirely free from error, refined through a divine standard that ensures its reliability and authenticity. This verse doesn't just make a static claim about the Word's nature but links it dynamically to God's active role as a protector. Those who truly appropriate this pure Word by placing their trust, faith, and dependence in God Himself will experience His active shielding and defense. It underscores that understanding the perfect nature of God's revelation leads to faithful obedience and consequently to divine safeguarding. For instance, in times of uncertainty, instead of relying on human schemes, trusting in God's stated principles (His pure Word) brings His protective presence. In an age filled with shifting truths and relative values, this verse anchors the believer to an unshakeable, tried, and tested source of truth and an unwavering protector.