Proverbs 30:8 kjv

Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:

Proverbs 30:8 nkjv

Remove falsehood and lies far from me; Give me neither poverty nor riches? Feed me with the food allotted to me;

Proverbs 30:8 niv

Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.

Proverbs 30:8 esv

Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me,

Proverbs 30:8 nlt

First, help me never to tell a lie.
Second, give me neither poverty nor riches!
Give me just enough to satisfy my needs.

Proverbs 30 verses

Proverbs 30 8 Meaning

Agur, the author of this proverb, utters a profound prayer for spiritual and material moderation. He first asks for moral purity, specifically deliverance from deceit and untruth. Following this, he requests to be preserved from the perils associated with both extreme poverty and abundant riches. His ultimate desire is for God to provide only the sustenance necessary for his needs, reflecting a spirit of humble dependence and contentment, which protects against the temptations and burdens of either scarcity or excess. This prayer prioritizes integrity and sufficiency over worldly gain or material lack.

Proverbs 30 8 Context

Proverbs 30 stands apart within the Book of Proverbs, beginning with the words "The words of Agur son of Jakeh, an oracle." This specific section (verses 7-9) constitutes a deeply personal prayer or confession of faith and desire by Agur, addressed directly to God. It encapsulates a profound understanding of human nature's susceptibility to extremes and the wisdom of relying solely on divine provision and truth. The chapter generally delves into observations of the natural world, human folly, and various forms of arrogance, covetousness, and spiritual deficiency. Historically, in the ancient Near East, society was characterized by vast disparities between the very rich and the very poor, and commercial practices often involved widespread deceit. Agur’s prayer therefore acts as a quiet but firm counter-cultural statement against both the pervasive dishonesty and the relentless pursuit of wealth or the despair of utter destitution common in his time. He elevates humble dependence and truthfulness as superior to both worldly success and abject poverty, recognizing the spiritual dangers inherent in each extreme.

Proverbs 30 8 Word analysis

• Remove far from me (הַרְחֵק מִמֶּנִּי - harcheq mimmenni): An emphatic imperative, signifying a fervent and earnest plea to God for a complete separation or disassociation from the things mentioned. It expresses a desire for active divine intervention in one's life to be guarded against these specific pitfalls.
• falsehood (שָׁוְא - shav'): This Hebrew term signifies emptiness, vanity, worthlessness, or deceptiveness. It refers to what is morally empty, useless, or outright fraudulent. In this context, it points to anything that is not grounded in truth or reality, including deceitful practices, empty promises, or false beliefs.
• and lying (וּדְבַר-שָׁקֶר - u’dvar-shaqer): Literally "and word of falsehood" or "and word of deceit." This term specifically addresses verbal untruths, slander, perjury, or any communication intended to mislead. It complements "falsehood" by focusing on the active expression of untruth through speech.
• give me neither poverty (רֵאשׁ - resh): This term denotes utter destitution, abject want, often leading to desperation and potential temptation to steal or renounce God (as implied in the following verse, Prov 30:9a).
• nor riches (וָעֹשֶׁר - v'osher): Signifies abundance, great wealth, or prosperity, often associated with pride, self-sufficiency, and forgetting God (also mentioned in Prov 30:9b).
• feed me (הַטְרִיפֵנִי - hatripheniy): An intensive imperative, meaning "cause to eat" or "provide sustenance for." It emphasizes God's active, consistent, and nourishing provision, indicating a state of being regularly fed by divine grace.
• with the food that is needful for me (לֶחֶם חֻקִּי - lechem chuqqi): Literally "bread of my portion" or "bread of my decreed allowance." Léchem is generic for food (often bread, representing sustenance). Chukki (from choq) denotes a fixed, appointed, or customary portion. It implies a precise, sufficient, and appropriate amount—neither too much nor too little—divinely regulated for specific needs. It echoes the concept of manna, given in precise daily amounts, teaching continuous dependence on God.

Words-group analysis:

• "Remove far from me falsehood and lying": This profound plea for moral purity sets the spiritual foundation for the subsequent material requests. Agur understands that internal integrity is paramount. "Falsehood and lying" encompass both deceptive actions and untruthful words, implying a desire for absolute transparency and honesty before God and humanity. This desire reflects a fundamental commitment to a life that honors the truth of God.
• "give me neither poverty nor riches": This reveals Agur's deep insight into the spiritual dangers of both material extremes. Extreme poverty can lead to desperation, stealing, and ultimately blaspheming God’s name out of a sense of abandonment or injustice (as implied in Prov 30:9a). Conversely, abundant riches can foster pride, self-reliance, and a tendency to forget or deny God, tempting one to claim self-sufficiency (Prov 30:9b). Agur wisely seeks the balanced middle ground of sufficiency, thereby avoiding the unique spiritual temptations and burdens inherent in either scarcity or surplus.
• "feed me with the food that is needful for me": This is a prayer for simple, humble dependence on God. It is a request for the Lord to supply precisely what is necessary for sustenance, not for luxury or want. The emphasis on "needful" or "my portion" highlights an active trust in God’s perfect judgment regarding what is best for His servant, preventing covetousness on one hand and hunger on the other. It champions humble sufficiency and sustained reliance on the Divine Provider.

Proverbs 30 8 Bonus section

• Agur's prayer can be seen as a direct counterpoint to much worldly ambition, which often drives individuals towards excessive wealth without regard for spiritual cost, or leads to despondency and even rebellion in times of scarcity.
• The desire for "food that is needful" aligns perfectly with the "daily bread" petition found in the Lord's Prayer (Matt 6:11). Both petitions emphasize not luxurious living or gluttony, but essential sustenance and constant reliance on God for moment-by-moment provision. This reflects a consistent biblical theme of humility and trusting in the Lord's wise stewardship.
• The placement of this prayer (verses 7-9) within Agur’s larger collection of oracles gives it significant weight as a guiding principle. It serves as Agur's personal solution to avoid the common pitfalls and follies he observes in human society, underscoring that true wisdom is found in balanced dependence and moral integrity before God.

Proverbs 30 8 Commentary

Proverbs 30:8 presents Agur’s ideal prayer, encapsulating a life of balanced integrity and humble dependence on God. His first request for deliverance from falsehood and lying establishes moral truth as the bedrock for genuine wisdom, acknowledging its destructive power on the soul and relationships. Subsequently, he masterfully articulates the spiritual perils inherent in material extremes. Poverty can breed desperation and sin (such as theft or cursing God), while excessive wealth can cultivate pride, self-sufficiency, and forgetfulness of the Divine. Agur prudently desires neither, seeking instead God’s consistent and sufficient provision, precisely what is "needful." This posture champions contentment and reinforces radical dependence on the Lord, acknowledging Him as the ultimate source of all blessings while simultaneously guarding against the corrupting influences of the world. His prayer is a timeless model for those who seek to navigate life's material realities with spiritual wisdom, preferring a steadfast walk with God over worldly accumulation or despondency.

• Example 1: A disciple, facing a career choice, prayerfully seeks a vocation that provides sufficient income without overwhelming their life with the pursuit of vast wealth or leaving them in desperate lack, aiming to serve God wholeheartedly.
• Example 2: A family prioritizing financial stewardship chooses to live modestly and thankfully within their means, rather than accumulating excessive debt for luxury items, trusting God for daily provision and giving generously from what they have.