Proverbs 30:8

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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

Complete Jewish Bible:

keep falsehood and futility far from me, and give me neither poverty nor wealth. Yes, provide just the food I need today;

Berean Standard Bible:

Keep falsehood and deceitful words far from me. Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the bread that is my portion.

American Standard Version:

Remove far from me falsehood and lies; Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with the food that is needful for me:

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Remove far^{H7368} from me vanity^{H7723} and lies^{{H1697}{H3577}}: give^{H5414} me neither poverty^{H7389} nor riches^{H6239}; feed^{H2963} me with food^{H3899} convenient^{H2706} for me:

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Proverbs 30:8

Proverbs 30:8 is part of a prayer-like poem found in the latter chapters of the book of Proverbs, traditionally attributed to Agur son of Jakeh. This verse reflects a wisdom tradition that values moderation and the pursuit of righteousness over material wealth or poverty. The speaker's petition to be kept from "vanity and lies" suggests a desire for integrity and truth, steering clear of falsehoods and the emptiness of superficial pursuits. By asking for neither poverty nor riches, the supplicant seeks a middle ground, recognizing the potential pitfalls and distractions that both extremes can bring. The request for "food convenient for me" implies a plea for sustenance that is sufficient and appropriate for one's needs, without the complications that excessive wealth or want might introduce.

In the historical context of the Ancient Near East, where the book of Proverbs was compiled, life was often harsh, and the disparity between the rich and the poor was stark. The wisdom literature of the time, including Proverbs, frequently highlighted the moral and practical benefits of a balanced life. This verse encapsulates a key theme in biblical wisdom literature: the importance of contentment, moral integrity, and reliance on God for daily provision, rather than being overly focused on the pursuit of wealth or consumed by the struggles of poverty. It reflects a broader biblical principle that true satisfaction and righteous living are not found in external circumstances but in a right relationship with God and adherence to divine wisdom.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H7368
   There are 56 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רָחַק
   Transliteration: râchaq
   Pronunciation: raw-khak'
   Description: a primitive root; to widen (in any direction), i.e. (intransitively) recede or (transitively) remove (literally or figuratively, of place or relation); (a-, be, cast, drive, get, go, keep (self), put, remove, be too, (wander), withdraw) far (away, off), loose, [idiom] refrain, very, (be) a good way (off).
   
2. Strong's Number: H7723
   There are 48 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁוְא
   Transliteration: shâvᵉʼ
   Pronunciation: shawv
   Description: or שַׁו; from the same as שׁוֹא in the sense of desolating; evil (as destructive), literally (ruin) or morally (especially guile); figuratively idolatry (as false, subjective), uselessness (as deceptive, objective; also adverbially, in vain); false(-ly), lie, lying, vain, vanity.
   
3. Strong's Number: H1697
   There are 1290 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָּבָר
   Transliteration: dâbâr
   Pronunciation: daw-baw'
   Description: from דָבַר; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause; act, advice, affair, answer, [idiom] any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case, cause, certain rate, [phrase] chronicles, commandment, [idiom] commune(-ication), [phrase] concern(-ing), [phrase] confer, counsel, [phrase] dearth, decree, deed, [idiom] disease, due, duty, effect, [phrase] eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-) ness, [phrase] glory, [phrase] harm, hurt, [phrase] iniquity, [phrase] judgment, language, [phrase] lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, [idiom] ought, [idiom] parts, [phrase] pertaining, [phrase] please, portion, [phrase] power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate, reason, report, request, [idiom] (as hast) said, sake, saying, sentence, [phrase] sign, [phrase] so, some (uncleanness), somewhat to say, [phrase] song, speech, [idiom] spoken, talk, task, [phrase] that, [idiom] there done, thing (concerning), thought, [phrase] thus, tidings, what(-soever), [phrase] wherewith, which, word, work.
   
4. Strong's Number: H3577
   There are 31 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כָּזָב
   Transliteration: kâzâb
   Pronunciation: kaw-zawb'
   Description: from כָּזַב; falsehood; literally (untruth) or figuratively (idol); deceitful, false, leasing, + liar, lie, lying.
   
5. Strong's Number: H5414
   There are 1816 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָתַן
   Transliteration: nâthan
   Pronunciation: naw-than'
   Description: a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.); add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield.
   
6. Strong's Number: H7389
   There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רֵישׁ
   Transliteration: rêysh
   Pronunciation: raysh
   Description: or רֵאשׁ; or רִישׁ; from רוּשׁ; poverty; poverty.
   
7. Strong's Number: H6239
   There are 36 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֹשֶׁר
   Transliteration: ʻôsher
   Pronunciation: o'-sher
   Description: from עָשַׁר; wealth; [idiom] far (richer), riches.
   
8. Strong's Number: H2963
   There are 22 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: טָרַף
   Transliteration: ṭâraph
   Pronunciation: taw-raf'
   Description: a primitive root; to pluck off or pull to pieces; causatively to supply with food (as in morsels); catch, [idiom] without doubt, feed, ravin, rend in pieces, [idiom] surely, tear (in pieces).
   
9. Strong's Number: H3899
   There are 277 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לֶחֶם
   Transliteration: lechem
   Pronunciation: lekh'-em
   Description: from לָחַם; See also בֵּית לְעַפְרָה; food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it); (shew-) bread, [idiom] eat, food, fruit, loaf, meat, victuals.
   
10. Strong's Number: H2706
    There are 124 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: חֹק
    Transliteration: chôq
    Pronunciation: khoke
    Description: from חָקַק; an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage); appointed, bound, commandment, convenient, custom, decree(-d), due, law, measure, [idiom] necessary, ordinance(-nary), portion, set time, statute, task.