Proverbs 30:9 kjv

Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.

Proverbs 30:9 nkjv

Lest I be full and deny You, And say, "Who is the LORD?" Or lest I be poor and steal, And profane the name of my God.

Proverbs 30:9 niv

Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the LORD?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.

Proverbs 30:9 esv

lest I be full and deny you and say, "Who is the LORD?" or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.

Proverbs 30:9 nlt

For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, "Who is the LORD?"
And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God's holy name.

Proverbs 30 verses

Proverbs 30 9 Meaning

Proverbs 30:9 encapsulates a profound prayer from Agur son of Jakeh, expressing a deep desire for spiritual stability amidst the challenges of material life. Agur requests neither extreme wealth nor abject poverty, recognizing the unique temptations each state presents that could lead to spiritual stumbling. His core concern is to live in such a way that God's holy name is always honored and never profaned, whether by the arrogance of affluence or the desperation of indigence. It's a prayer for provision sufficient to maintain humble dependence on God and uphold His glory.

Proverbs 30 9 Context

Proverbs chapter 30 is introduced as "The words of Agur son of Jakeh, the oracle." Unlike many proverbs attributed to Solomon, this chapter presents wisdom from a different, less known sage, suggesting that wisdom extended beyond the Solomonic lineage. Verses 7-9 form a unique segment, framed as Agur's direct prayer to God, making it a highly personal and poignant petition. He first asks God to keep him from falsehood (v. 8a) and then to provide him with exactly what he needs to avoid two specific spiritual pitfalls related to material possessions. This particular prayer stands out as a profound reflection on human fragility and dependence on divine provision, linking one's material state directly to one's spiritual integrity and honoring God's name. It suggests that both extremes—excessive wealth and extreme poverty—can tempt a person away from righteous living and acknowledgment of God's sovereignty. The historical context reflects a society where both opulence and destitution existed, each carrying its own set of temptations concerning ethical conduct and religious fidelity.

Proverbs 30 9 Word analysis

• Lest I be full (פן אשבע - pen 'eshba'):

  • Lest (pen): A particle indicating a negative purpose or result; "in order that not," "for fear that." It expresses a protective, preventive desire.
  • I be full ('eshba'): From the root śāḇa', meaning "to be sated," "to have plenty," "to be abundant," "to be satisfied." It conveys the state of being completely content or over-satisfied with material things. In this context, it suggests an excessive amount of wealth leading to complacency or pride, where one feels they have no need of God.

• And deny You (וכחשתי - w'kiḥashṭi):

  • From the root kāḥash, meaning "to be false," "to deceive," "to deny," "to disown." This is a strong word, implying not merely forgetting but an active, willful repudiation or betrayal of one's relationship with God. It suggests a claim of independence and a dismissal of God's authority or existence.

• And say, "Who is the Lord?" (ואמר מי יהוה - wa'ōmar mî YHWH?):

  • And say (wa'ōmar): Signifies a verbal declaration, an open questioning.
  • "Who is the Lord?" (mî YHWH?): This rhetorical question echoes the blasphemous statement of Pharaoh in Exod 5:2 ("Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice...?"). It's a defiant challenge to God's sovereignty and relevance, expressing self-sufficiency and rejection of divine authority, a culmination of the spiritual pride that comes from great wealth.

• Or lest I be poor (פן אורש - pen 'ōwrēsh):

  • Or lest (pen): Again, indicates a preventive measure against an alternative undesirable outcome.
  • I be poor ('ōwrēsh): From the root rāš, meaning "to be poor," "to be needy," "to be destitute." This signifies extreme lack, deprivation, and possibly despair, making one vulnerable to temptation.

• And steal (וגנבתי - w'gānbaṭi):

  • From the root gānab, meaning "to steal," "to take away secretly." This is a direct moral transgression (a violation of the Eighth Commandment), typically born out of desperation, lack, or perceived necessity when basic needs are unmet.

• And profane the name of my God (וחללתי שם אלהי - w'ḥallilṭi shem 'Elohay):

  • Profane (ḥālal): From the root ḥālal, meaning "to pollute," "to defile," "to desecrate," "to treat as common or unclean." This is a serious religious transgression. God's name (which represents His character, power, and presence) is holy (qadosh). To profane His name means to dishonor Him, to bring disrepute upon Him by one's unrighteous actions, especially when one is a declared worshipper of God. It shows that personal conduct has direct implications for God's reputation in the world.
  • The name of my God (shem 'Elohay): This emphasizes Agur's personal covenant relationship with the living God, and his profound concern for God's reputation being blemished by his potential sin.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "Lest I be full and deny You, and say, 'Who is the Lord?'": This clause links the condition of excessive wealth to spiritual apostasy and defiance. The self-sufficiency engendered by great riches can lead to pride, a sense of independence from divine need, and ultimately a verbal repudiation of God's sovereignty, mimicking the arrogance of those who oppose God.
  • "Or lest I be poor and steal, and profane the name of my God": This clause connects the condition of extreme poverty to moral transgression and, more importantly, the defiling of God's holy name. When basic needs are unmet, desperation can lead to breaking divine commands (like stealing), and this act, committed by someone who supposedly belongs to God, brings shame and dishonor upon God's character and His reputation in the eyes of others.
  • These two scenarios highlight Agur's spiritual sensitivity: both extremes present temptations that can corrupt a person's faith and dishonor God, underscoring the delicate balance between material state and spiritual fidelity.

Proverbs 30 9 Bonus Section

• The Middle Path: Agur's prayer expresses a desire for the "golden mean" – neither extreme wealth nor extreme poverty. This concept of balance and moderation is a recurrent theme in wisdom literature across various cultures, suggesting that virtue and spiritual stability are often found in the middle ground, where one avoids the unique temptations of both affluence and destitution. It challenges the common human tendency to pursue unlimited wealth or, conversely, to despair in overwhelming need, both of which can divert attention and trust from God.
• The Honoring of God's Name: The central motivation behind Agur's prayer is the glorification of God's name. Both denying God and profaning His name speak to a deeper concern than just personal comfort or material well-being. Agur understands that human conduct, whether in prosperity or in want, directly reflects upon God's character. His primary desire is that his life—and his material condition—would not lead to any act that would diminish the holiness or reputation of Yahweh.
• The Lord's Prayer Parallel: There's a striking resonance with the petition in the Lord's Prayer, "Give us this day our daily bread" (Matt 6:11). Both prayers highlight a humble dependence on God for daily, sufficient provision, avoiding the extremes that could lead to spiritual stumbling blocks or apostasy. This emphasizes that consistent reliance on God for needs fosters a closer relationship and greater spiritual health than either absolute self-sufficiency or overwhelming destitution.
• Practical Implications: This verse encourages a balanced approach to material possessions. It guards against materialism and the idolization of wealth, reminding us that true security is found in God, not riches. Simultaneously, it challenges any presumption that God's people should always live in material abundance or that poverty inherently signifies a curse, instead acknowledging the real temptations inherent in scarcity and encouraging trust. It emphasizes contentment and gratitude for "enough."

Proverbs 30 9 Commentary

Proverbs 30:9 unveils Agur's remarkable spiritual maturity, showcasing a keen awareness of human weakness and a deep reverence for God's name. His prayer is not simply a request for "enough," but a recognition that both surplus and deficit carry unique dangers to one's relationship with God. Excessive wealth can foster an illusion of self-sufficiency, leading to pride and the denial of God's provision or authority ("Who is the Lord?"), mirroring the ancient worldview where material success was sometimes decoupled from divine favor or led to arrogance. Conversely, destitution can push individuals into desperate actions, such as stealing, which dishonor God and His law, thus "profaning" His name. This profanity occurs when those who claim to serve God commit open transgressions, bringing discredit to His character among both believers and unbelievers. Agur's petition reflects a profound understanding that our material circumstances profoundly affect our walk with God and our witness to the world. It is a humble admission that divine sustenance is essential for spiritual integrity and for safeguarding God's honor through one's life. The wisdom here advocates for a life of moderation and contented dependence, echoing themes found throughout Scripture, most notably the Lord's Prayer for "daily bread," which emphasizes trust in God for necessary provisions without excess.