Proverbs 21:30

KJV

¶ [There is] no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.

KJV (with Strong's)

There is no wisdom {H2451} nor understanding {H8394} nor counsel {H6098} against the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

No wisdom, discernment or counsel succeeds against ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.

American Standard Version

There is no wisdom nor understanding Nor counsel against Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 21:30 delivers a profound declaration of divine sovereignty, asserting that no human intellectual capacity—be it wisdom, understanding, or strategic counsel—can ever successfully stand in opposition to the LORD. This verse underscores the absolute futility of human endeavors that are conceived or executed apart from, or in defiance of, God's ultimate will, affirming that His purposes will always prevail regardless of human ingenuity or might.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Proverbs 21:30 is situated within a collection of Solomonic proverbs that frequently contrast human effort and pride with God's ultimate control and righteous judgment. Immediately following this verse, [Proverbs 21:31](/proverbs/21-31 "Proverbs 21:31 - The Horse Prepared for Battle") states, "The horse is prepared for the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD." This juxtaposition powerfully reinforces the idea that even the most meticulously planned human endeavors, such as military strategy, are subject to divine sovereignty. The broader chapter often highlights the Lord's scrutiny of human motives and actions, emphasizing that true righteousness and success are found in alignment with His ways, not in self-reliance or opposition. This proverb also resonates with the sentiment expressed earlier in the book, particularly in [Proverbs 19:21](/proverbs/19-21 "Proverbs 19:21 - The Counsel of the Lord Shall Stand"), which declares, "There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand."
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Proverbs emerged from the wisdom tradition of ancient Israel, a genre that sought to apply divine truth to practical living. In a world where kings and nations relied on shrewd advisors, strategic planning, and military might, this proverb served as a counter-cultural assertion. It challenged the prevailing humanistic view that success was solely a product of human cleverness or power. The "LORD" (Yahweh) is presented as the covenant God of Israel, whose character is defined by supreme wisdom, power, and faithfulness. The concept of "wisdom" in this context encompasses not only intellectual acumen but also practical skill, moral discernment, and the ability to navigate life successfully. Ancient Near Eastern cultures often revered human wisdom, but this proverb firmly places divine wisdom above all human capacity.
* **Key Themes:** This verse is a cornerstone for several overarching themes within Proverbs and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it unequivocally asserts **Divine Sovereignty**, declaring God's supreme authority and control over all creation and human affairs. No human intellect, strategy, or power can successfully challenge or thwart His ultimate will. Secondly, it highlights the **Futility of Rebellion**, demonstrating that any attempt by humanity, whether through cunning, knowledge, or strategic planning, to go "against the LORD" is inherently doomed to fail. Human wisdom, no matter how profound, is limited and inferior to divine wisdom, as seen in passages like [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts and Ways are Higher"). Thirdly, the implication is that **True Wisdom and Humility** lie not in opposing God but in aligning with His purposes, calling for a humble acknowledgment of God's unchallengeable power and wisdom. Finally, the proverb provides assurance regarding **God's Unstoppable Plan**, reinforcing the biblical truth that God's purposes will always prevail, regardless of human opposition or the complexity of worldly affairs, offering comfort and stability to those who trust in Him, much like the confidence expressed in [Psalm 33:10-11](/psalms/33-10 "Psalm 33:10-11 - The Lord's Counsel Stands Forever").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Wisdom (Hebrew, _chokmâh'_):** From the root meaning "to be wise," this term refers to practical skill, insight, and the ability to apply knowledge effectively. It encompasses shrewdness, discernment, and the capacity for living skillfully in accordance with divine principles. In this context, it signifies the highest form of human intellectual and practical ability.
* **Understanding (Hebrew, _tâbûwn'_):** Derived from the verb "to discern" or "to perceive," this word denotes intelligence, deep insight, and the capacity for comprehension. It speaks to the ability to grasp complex ideas, make sound judgments, and distinguish between right and wrong. Here, it represents human intellectual penetration and discernment.
* **Counsel (Hebrew, _ʻêtsâh'_):** This term refers to advice, a plan, or a deliberate purpose or strategy. It implies the act of consulting, devising schemes, or formulating intentions. In Proverbs 21:30, it signifies human strategic planning, plotting, or collective decision-making.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the sacred, covenant name of God, emphasizing His self-existence, eternal nature, and absolute sovereignty. It is the name by which God reveals Himself as the faithful, powerful, and unchangeable one who keeps His promises and executes His will.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"There is no wisdom":** This opening clause establishes an absolute negation. It declares that human intellectual acumen, practical skill, or shrewdness, no matter how profound or well-developed, is utterly ineffective and powerless when arrayed against God. It signifies the inability of human cleverness to outmaneuver or defy divine purpose.
* **"nor understanding":** Following "wisdom," this phrase further emphasizes the comprehensive futility of human cognitive abilities. It means that even the deepest human insight, discernment, or intellectual comprehension is incapable of devising a plan or strategy that can successfully thwart the will of God. It highlights the limited scope of human perception compared to divine omniscience.
* **"nor counsel":** This third negation completes the triad of human faculties, focusing on strategic planning and deliberate intentions. It asserts that no human advice, no carefully crafted plan, and no collective strategic effort can stand or succeed if it is contrary to the Lord's design. It underscores the ultimate impotence of human plotting when it conflicts with divine decree.
* **"against the LORD.":** This concluding phrase is the crucial pivot, identifying the ultimate benchmark against which all human faculties are measured and found wanting. The "LORD" (Yahweh) is the unchallengeable, sovereign God whose will is supreme and whose purposes are immutable. Any human endeavor, however brilliant or well-intentioned, that is set in opposition to His revealed will or eternal plan, is inherently doomed to fail.

#### Literary Devices
Proverbs 21:30 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its absolute message. The most prominent is **Hyperbole**, using the emphatic "no wisdom, nor understanding, nor counsel" to stress the absolute and utter futility of human efforts when they oppose God. This isn't merely a statement of limitation but of complete impotence. **Anaphora** is also present in the repetition of "nor," which builds a cumulative effect, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of human inadequacy. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Contrast**, setting the finite, fallible capacities of humanity against the infinite, infallible sovereignty of the LORD. This stark juxtaposition elevates God's supremacy. While not a direct personification, the abstract concepts of wisdom, understanding, and counsel are treated almost as active agents that are rendered powerless, subtly hinting at their inherent limitations when faced with divine power.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Proverbs 21:30 serves as a foundational declaration of God's absolute sovereignty, a truth woven throughout the entire biblical narrative. It underscores that the Creator's will is ultimate and unchallengeable, and all human plans, no matter how ingenious or well-intentioned, are subordinate to His divine purpose. This principle profoundly shapes our understanding of human agency, calling us to humility and dependence rather than self-reliance. It teaches that true wisdom is not found in devising schemes independent of God, but in seeking His counsel and aligning our lives with His righteous standards. The futility of opposing God is a recurring theme, reminding humanity of its creaturely limitations and God's infinite power and knowledge.

* [Isaiah 46:10](/isaiah/46-10 "Isaiah 46:10 - Declaring the End from the Beginning")
* [Job 42:2](/job/42-2 "Job 42:2 - No Thought Can Be Withholden from You")
* [Psalm 33:10-11](/psalms/33-10 "Psalm 33:10-11 - The Counsel of the LORD Stands Forever")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 21:30 offers profound guidance for daily living and decision-making, calling us to a posture of radical humility and trust in the Almighty. In a world that often exalts human intellect, strategic prowess, and self-sufficiency, this proverb serves as a vital corrective. It reminds us that our best-laid plans, our deepest insights, and our most cunning strategies are inherently flawed and ultimately impotent if they contradict God's revealed will or operate outside of His sovereign design. True wisdom, therefore, is not found in devising independent paths but in diligently seeking God's counsel through His Word and prayer, aligning our desires and actions with His eternal purposes. This perspective liberates us from the anxiety of needing to control every outcome, offering profound comfort in the knowledge that God's ultimate plan cannot be thwarted. It encourages us to surrender our anxieties and ambitions to the One whose wisdom is perfect and whose counsel always stands, fostering a spirit of peace and confident reliance even amidst uncertainty or opposition.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this verse challenge my natural inclination to rely on my own intellect, experience, or strategic planning in daily decisions?**
* **In what specific areas of my life—personal, professional, or spiritual—might I be subtly operating "against the LORD" by not seeking His will or by pursuing my own agenda?**
* **How can acknowledging God's unthwartable counsel bring me greater peace, comfort, or courage when facing difficult circumstances or powerful opposition?**
* **What practical steps can I take to more consistently align my "wisdom, understanding, and counsel" with God's revealed will?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse discourage human planning or the use of our intellect?**

Answer: Not at all. Proverbs 21:30 does not discourage human planning, intellect, or the development of wisdom and understanding. Instead, it places these human faculties in their proper context relative to God's absolute sovereignty. The verse asserts that human wisdom, understanding, and counsel are futile *when they are arrayed against the LORD*. This means that our plans and insights are only truly effective and beneficial when they are aligned with God's will and purposes. The Bible consistently encourages the pursuit of wisdom (e.g., [Proverbs 2:6](/proverbs/2-6 "Proverbs 2:6 - The Lord Gives Wisdom")), but it always emphasizes that true wisdom begins with the fear of the LORD ([Proverbs 9:10](/proverbs/9-10 "Proverbs 9:10 - The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom")). Therefore, the verse is a call to humility and dependence, urging us to submit our best thoughts and strategies to God, recognizing that His counsel will ultimately prevail.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 21:30 finds its ultimate fulfillment and profoundest meaning in Jesus Christ, who is the very embodiment of God's perfect wisdom, understanding, and counsel. While human wisdom is declared futile against the LORD, Christ is revealed as "the power of God, and the wisdom of God" ([1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ the Wisdom of God")). The world's "wisdom" often deemed the cross foolishness, yet it was precisely through this divine "foolishness" that God's ultimate plan of salvation was executed, confounding all human reasoning and strategic plotting ([1 Corinthians 1:18-25](/1_corinthians/1-18 "1 Corinthians 1:18-25 - The Foolishness of the Cross")). In Christ, all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Colossians 2:3 - In Christ are Hidden All Treasures of Wisdom")), and it is through His perfect life, atoning death, and triumphant resurrection that God's eternal purpose to reconcile all things to Himself is irrevocably established ([Ephesians 1:11](/ephesians/1-11 "Ephesians 1:11 - God Works All Things According to His Counsel")). Therefore, any human wisdom or counsel that rejects Christ or attempts to establish righteousness apart from Him is indeed futile, for He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and no one comes to the Father except through Him ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life")). The triumph of God's counsel is seen most clearly in the enthronement of Christ, to whom all authority in heaven and on earth has been given ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Jesus")), ensuring that His kingdom will ultimately prevail, and every knee will bow to His sovereign will ([Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 5:39

But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.

Proverbs 19:21

¶ [There are] many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

Jeremiah 9:23

¶ Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise [man] glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty [man] glory in his might, let not the rich [man] glory in his riches:

Isaiah 14:27

For the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul [it]? and his hand [is] stretched out, and who shall turn it back?

1 Corinthians 3:19

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

1 Corinthians 3:20

And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.

Isaiah 8:9

¶ Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces.