King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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].
Complete Jewish Bible:
for if I have too much, I might deny you and say, "Who is ADONAI?"And if I am poor, I might steal and thus profane the name of my God.
Berean Standard Bible:
Otherwise, I may have too much and deny You, saying, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or I may become poor and steal, profaning the name of my God.
American Standard Version:
Lest I be full, and denythee, and say, Who is Jehovah? Or lest I be poor, and steal, And use profanely the name of my God.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Lest I be full{H7646}, and deny{H3584} thee, and say{H559}, Who is the LORD{H3068}? or lest I be poor{H3423}, and steal{H1589}, and take{H8610} the name{H8034} of my God{H430} in vain.
Cross-References (KJV):
Hosea 13:6
- According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me.
Deuteronomy 31:20
- For when I shall have brought them into the land which I sware unto their fathers, that floweth with milk and honey; and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat; then will they turn unto other gods, and serve them, and provoke me, and break my covenant.
Ezekiel 16:49
- Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.
Ezekiel 16:50
- And they were haughty, and committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw [good].
Deuteronomy 8:10
- ¶ When thou hast eaten and art full, then thou shalt bless the LORD thy God for the good land which he hath given thee.
Deuteronomy 8:14
- Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage;
Job 31:24
- ¶ If I have made gold my hope, or have said to the fine gold, [Thou art] my confidence;
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Proverbs 30:9
Proverbs 30:9 is part of a section in the book of Proverbs often attributed to a man named Agur son of Jakeh. This particular verse reflects a prayerful petition to God, seeking to avoid the pitfalls of both wealth and poverty. The speaker is concerned with the moral and spiritual dangers that can come with material prosperity or destitution.
In the first part of the verse, the speaker asks God to prevent him from becoming too full—that is, too satisfied or self-sufficient due to wealth. The fear is that such self-reliance might lead to denying God's providence and forgetting the need for divine guidance, even to the point of arrogantly questioning God's authority ("Who is the LORD?"). This reflects a theme common in wisdom literature, warning against the complacency and pride that can accompany wealth.
In the second part, the speaker expresses concern about the potential for poverty to drive him to theft and, in doing so, to misuse God's name by swearing false oaths—a clear reference to the third commandment, which forbids taking the Lord's name in vain (Exodus 20:7). The historical context of this verse is the ancient Near Eastern society, where economic stability was precarious, and the temptations associated with wealth and poverty were ever-present challenges.
The overarching theme of Proverbs 30:9 is the need for balance, humility, and dependence on God, regardless of one's economic status. The verse emphasizes the importance of maintaining a faithful relationship with God, avoiding both the arrogance of wealth and the desperation of poverty that might lead one to sin against God and others. It serves as a reminder that true wisdom is found in recognizing one's need for God in all circumstances.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H7646
There are 92 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׂבַע
Transliteration: sâbaʻ
Pronunciation: saw-bah'
Description: or שָׂבֵעַ; a primitive root; to sate, i.e. fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively); have enough, fill (full, self, with), be (to the) full (of), have plenty of, be satiate, satisfy (with), suffice, be weary of. - Strong's Number: H3584
There are 22 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כָּחַשׁ
Transliteration: kâchash
Pronunciation: kaw-khash'
Description: a primitive root; to be untrue, in word (to lie, feign, disown) or deed (to disappoint, fail, cringe); deceive, deny, dissemble, fail, deal falsely, be found liars, (be-) lie, lying, submit selves. - Strong's Number: H559
There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָמַר
Transliteration: ʼâmar
Pronunciation: aw-mar'
Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. - Strong's Number: H3068
There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהֹוָה
Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה. - Strong's Number: H3423
There are 204 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָרַשׁ
Transliteration: yârash
Pronunciation: yaw-rash'
Description: or יָרֵשׁ; a primitive root; to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish, to ruin; cast out, consume, destroy, disinherit, dispossess, drive(-ing) out, enjoy, expel, [idiom] without fail, (give to, leave for) inherit(-ance, -or) [phrase] magistrate, be (make) poor, come to poverty, (give to, make to) possess, get (have) in (take) possession, seize upon, succeed, [idiom] utterly. - Strong's Number: H1589
There are 36 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גָּנַב
Transliteration: gânab
Pronunciation: gaw-nab'
Description: a primitive root; to thieve (literally or figuratively); by implication, to deceive; carry away, [idiom] indeed, secretly bring, steal (away), get by stealth. - Strong's Number: H8610
There are 60 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: תָּפַשׂ
Transliteration: tâphas
Pronunciation: taw-fas'
Description: a primitive root; to manipulate, i.e. seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay; figuratively, to use unwarrantably; catch, handle, (lay, take) hold (on, over), stop, [idiom] surely, surprise, take. - Strong's Number: H8034
There are 771 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֵׁם
Transliteration: shêm
Pronunciation: shame
Description: a primitive word (perhaps rather from through the idea of definite and conspicuous position; compare שָׁמַיִם); an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character; [phrase] base, (in-) fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report. - Strong's Number: H430
There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty.