Proverbs 30:32

KJV

If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, [lay] thine hand upon thy mouth.

KJV (with Strong's)

If thou hast done foolishly {H5034} in lifting up {H5375} thyself, or if thou hast thought evil {H2161}, lay thine hand {H3027} upon thy mouth {H6310}.

Complete Jewish Bible

If you have been boorish, exalting yourself, or if you have been scheming, lay your hand on your mouth.

Berean Standard Bible

If you have foolishly exalted yourself or if you have plotted evil, put your hand over your mouth.

American Standard Version

If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, Or if thou hast thought evil, Lay thy hand upon thy mouth.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 30:32 offers a profound piece of wisdom, providing a direct and immediate remedy for two specific forms of moral failure: prideful self-exaltation and malicious intent. It prescribes a physical act of self-restraint—placing one's hand over the mouth—as the appropriate response when one has acted foolishly out of arrogance or harbored evil thoughts. This counsel emphasizes the critical importance of humility, discretion, and the disciplined control of one's speech and inner disposition in the face of personal error.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the "words of Agur son of Jakeh" in [Proverbs 30](/proverbs/30 "Proverbs 30 - The Words of Agur"). Unlike the more general Solomonic proverbs that precede it, Agur's collection often features numerical sayings (e.g., [Proverbs 30:15-31](/proverbs/30-15 "Proverbs 30:15-31 - Numerical Sayings")) and observations on the created world and human nature. Verse 32 marks a shift from these observations to direct, practical ethical instruction concerning personal conduct. It serves as a concluding admonition, moving from the contemplation of societal dynamics and natural phenomena to the individual's responsibility for self-governance, particularly in moments of moral failure. It underscores the practical application of wisdom in daily life, contrasting it with the destructive path of foolishness and malice.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The ancient Near East, including Israel, placed a high value on honor, reputation, and communal harmony. Public displays of humility and self-control were often seen as marks of wisdom, while arrogance and uncontrolled speech could lead to social disgrace and conflict. The "hand over the mouth" gesture was a widely recognized non-verbal cue signifying silence, shame, or deep respect, implying a cessation of speech to prevent further damage or to acknowledge a superior authority. This cultural understanding amplifies the force of Agur's command, making it a universally understood symbol of immediate self-correction and discretion in the face of one's own folly or wickedness. The wisdom literature, in general, reflects a society where oral communication and public discourse were paramount, thus emphasizing the profound impact of words and the necessity of their careful management.
* **Key Themes:** Proverbs 30:32 contributes significantly to several overarching themes found throughout the book of [Proverbs](/proverbs/1 "The Book of Proverbs - Wisdom for Life"). Firstly, it highlights the pervasive danger of **pride and self-exaltation**, a sin consistently condemned in wisdom literature as a precursor to downfall, as seen in [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Precedes Destruction"). Secondly, it emphasizes the importance of **controlling one's thoughts and speech**. The verse addresses both outward foolish actions stemming from pride and inward malicious thoughts, underscoring that true wisdom begins in the heart and manifests in disciplined communication. This aligns with the broader emphasis on the power of the tongue and the need for careful words (e.g., [Proverbs 21:23](/proverbs/21-23 "Proverbs 21:23 - Guarding the Mouth")). Finally, the verse promotes **humility and immediate self-correction**. The prescribed action is not to justify oneself but to silence oneself, acknowledging error and preventing further transgression, thus embodying a practical outworking of repentance and discretion.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **foolishly (Hebrew, _nâbêl'_):** Derived from H5034, this primitive root signifies "to wilt," "fall away," or "fail," and figuratively, "to be foolish or (morally) wicked." When one "has done foolishly" in this context, it implies a moral failure, a disgraceful act, or a spiritual decay stemming from a lack of wisdom, often linked to arrogance or presumption. It suggests a behavior that is not merely unwise but also morally deficient.
* **lifting up (Hebrew, _nâsâʼ'_):** From H5375, this root means "to lift," "bear," or "exalt." In the reflexive phrase "lifting up thyself," it points directly to self-exaltation, pride, or arrogance. It describes a presumptuous act where an individual elevates themselves above their proper station, perhaps through boasting, self-assertion, or an inflated sense of importance, which is inherently foolish and offensive to God.
* **thought evil (Hebrew, _zâmam'_):** From H2161, this root signifies "to plan," "devise," or "imagine," typically in a negative or malicious sense. It refers to a premeditated wickedness, plotting harm, or harboring malevolent intentions. This is not a fleeting bad thought but a conceived and deliberate intention to do wrong, indicating a deeper moral corruption.
* **mouth (Hebrew, _peh'_):** From H6310, this word refers to the physical mouth, but is frequently used figuratively for speech, utterance, or communication itself. The command to place one's hand upon the mouth is a powerful, symbolic act of silencing oneself, restraining speech, and acknowledging error or shame. It is a physical manifestation of intellectual and moral self-control.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself":** This first condition addresses the sin of pride and arrogance, which manifests in foolish actions. "Done foolishly" (from `nâbêl`) implies a moral lapse or disgraceful conduct that arises from self-exaltation. It points to instances where an individual has presumptuously elevated themselves, perhaps through boasting, self-aggrandizement, or acting with an unwarranted sense of superiority, demonstrating a profound lack of wisdom and humility.
* **"or if thou hast thought evil":** This second condition broadens the scope to include internal sin—malicious thoughts or wicked plans. "Thought evil" (from `zâmam`) signifies a deliberate devising of wickedness, not merely a fleeting negative thought, but a premeditated intention to inflict harm, deceive, or act unjustly. This highlights that sin begins in the heart and mind before manifesting in outward action or speech.
* **"[lay] thine hand upon thy mouth":** This is the prescriptive command, an immediate and decisive act of self-restraint. It is a physical and symbolic gesture of silencing oneself, refraining from further speech that might exacerbate the foolishness or reveal the evil thought. This command serves as an immediate call to discretion, humility, and self-control, preventing further transgression and acknowledging one's error through humble silence. It is a powerful visual of repentance and the prevention of further harm.

#### Literary Devices
Proverbs 30:32 employs several literary devices to convey its profound wisdom. The primary device is **Imperative Mood**, as the verse culminates in a direct command: "[lay] thine hand upon thy mouth." This direct address lends urgency and authority to the instruction. **Conditional Clauses** ("If thou hast done... or if thou hast thought...") set up the circumstances under which the command applies, creating a clear cause-and-effect relationship between foolishness/malice and the prescribed response. **Metonymy** is evident in the phrase "lay thine hand upon thy mouth," where the physical act of covering the mouth stands for the broader concept of silencing oneself, restraining speech, and exercising self-control. This vivid imagery also functions as **Symbolism**, where the gesture itself symbolizes humility, discretion, and the immediate cessation of harmful words or thoughts. The verse also implicitly uses **Contrast** by juxtaposing the destructive nature of pride and evil thoughts with the wise and restorative act of self-restraint.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This proverb powerfully connects to the broader biblical emphasis on the internal life as the wellspring of outward conduct. It teaches that both foolish pride and malicious thoughts are serious moral failings that require immediate self-correction. The command to "lay thine hand upon thy mouth" is a call to humility and discretion, recognizing that true wisdom involves not only knowing what to say but also knowing when to be silent. It underscores the theological truth that God values a contrite spirit and self-control, especially over the tongue, which the Bible often portrays as a powerful and potentially destructive force. This principle reinforces the idea that our words and intentions are intimately linked to the condition of our hearts, and that restraining them is a vital step in spiritual discipline and alignment with divine wisdom.

* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Precedes Destruction")
* [James 1:26](/james/1-26 "James 1:26 - Bridling the Tongue")
* [Matthew 12:34](/matthew/12-34 "Matthew 12:34 - Out of the Abundance of the Heart")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Proverbs 30:32 serves as a timeless and practical guide for self-awareness and immediate spiritual discipline. In a world that often encourages self-promotion and unbridled expression, this verse calls us to a counter-cultural posture of humility and restraint. When we recognize that we have acted from a place of pride, perhaps boasting or elevating ourselves, or when we find ourselves entertaining malicious or destructive thoughts about others, the wise response is not to justify ourselves or to speak further, but to halt. The command to "lay thine hand upon thy mouth" is a profound call to internal reflection and external silence. It encourages us to cultivate a habit of introspection, recognizing our errors and choosing humility and discretion over further self-exaltation or harmful expression. This prevents compounding our initial error with further words, mitigates potential harm to others, and creates space for genuine repentance and a change of heart. It is an invitation to embrace the quiet strength of self-control, allowing wisdom to guide our reactions and ultimately shape our character.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific situations do I find myself "lifting up myself" through pride or boasting?**
* **What are some common "evil thoughts" or malicious intentions that I might harbor, even if I don't act on them?**
* **How might physically or metaphorically "laying my hand upon my mouth" help me to cultivate greater humility and self-control in my daily interactions?**
* **What is the connection between my thoughts and my words, and how can I better guard both?**

### FAQ
**What does "lifting up thyself" mean in this context?**

Answer: In Proverbs 30:32, "lifting up thyself" refers to acts of pride, arrogance, or self-exaltation. It describes a situation where an individual presumes to elevate themselves, perhaps through boasting, an inflated sense of importance, or acting with unwarranted superiority. This action is considered "foolish" (from the Hebrew `nâbêl`, meaning to be morally wicked or disgraceful) because it demonstrates a profound lack of humility and wisdom, often leading to negative consequences. It's the opposite of the humility that God commends throughout the Scriptures, as seen in passages like [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Precedes Destruction") which warns that "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall."

**Why does the verse command one to "lay thine hand upon thy mouth"?**

Answer: The command to "lay thine hand upon thy mouth" is a powerful, symbolic gesture of immediate self-restraint, silence, and humility. It signifies the need to cease speaking, to prevent further words that might exacerbate foolishness, reveal malicious intent, or cause additional harm. Culturally, this gesture was widely understood as an act of acknowledging error, shame, or deep respect, implying a cessation of speech to prevent further damage or to show submission. Spiritually, it's a call to immediate discretion and self-control, allowing for internal reflection and preventing outward transgression. It highlights the biblical emphasis on the power of the tongue and the wisdom of bridling one's speech, as echoed in [James 1:26](/james/1-26 "James 1:26 - Bridling the Tongue"), which states, "If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Proverbs 30:32, with its call to humble self-restraint in the face of pride and malice, finds its ultimate fulfillment and perfect embodiment in the person of Jesus Christ. Unlike humanity, who often "do foolishly in lifting up" themselves or "think evil," Jesus perfectly exemplified humility and purity of thought. He consistently resisted the temptation to elevate Himself, even though He possessed all authority and divine prerogative, choosing instead to "make himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant" ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humility")). His thoughts were never evil or malicious; rather, they were always aligned with the Father's will, demonstrating a heart utterly free from sin ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our High Priest")). Furthermore, when falsely accused and reviled, Jesus did not respond with prideful defense or angry words, but often remained silent, fulfilling the prophecy of [Isaiah 53:7](/isaiah/53-7 "Isaiah 53:7 - The Suffering Servant"), "He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth." His silence before His accusers (e.g., [Matthew 27:12-14](/matthew/27-12 "Matthew 27:12-14 - Jesus Before Pilate")) was not a sign of weakness but of perfect self-control, humility, and submission to the Father's plan, demonstrating the ultimate wisdom of "laying His hand upon His mouth" in the face of injustice. Thus, Christ is the perfect model of the wisdom Agur commends, showing us how to live a life free from pride and malice, marked by profound humility and divine self-restraint.

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

Job 21:5

Mark me, and be astonished, and lay [your] hand upon [your] mouth.

Micah 7:16

The nations shall see and be confounded at all their might: they shall lay [their] hand upon [their] mouth, their ears shall be deaf.

Micah 7:17

They shall lick the dust like a serpent, they shall move out of their holes like worms of the earth: they shall be afraid of the LORD our God, and shall fear because of thee.

Job 40:4

Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.

Romans 3:19

¶ Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

Proverbs 26:12

¶ Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? [there is] more hope of a fool than of him.

Proverbs 17:28

Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: [and] he that shutteth his lips [is esteemed] a man of understanding.