Proverbs 30:6

Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

Add {H3254} thou not unto his words {H1697}, lest he reprove {H3198} thee, and thou be found a liar {H3576}.

Don't add anything to his words; or he will rebuke you, and you be found a liar.

Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you and prove you a liar.

Add thou not unto his words, Lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

Commentary

Proverbs 30:6 issues a stern warning against tampering with the divine word, emphasizing the completeness and purity of God's revelation. It underscores the serious consequences for those who presume to add to what God has already spoken, highlighting the risk of divine reproof and exposure as a deceiver.

Context

This verse immediately follows Proverbs 30:5, which declares, "Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him." Together, these verses form a powerful statement attributed to Agur, the son of Jakeh, about the integrity and trustworthiness of God's communication. The context establishes God's words as flawless, complete, and sufficient, forming a foundation of truth for those who seek wisdom and guidance.

Key Themes

  • The Authority and Purity of God's Word: The command here is a profound affirmation of the purity and sufficiency of God's revelation. It implies that God's word is perfect and needs no human embellishment or addition.
  • Warning Against Alteration: The explicit instruction, "Add thou not unto his words," serves as a timeless prohibition against distorting, supplementing, or diminishing the sacred texts. This principle is echoed throughout Scripture, from the Law of Moses in Deuteronomy 4:2 to the warnings in the New Testament's final book, Revelation 22:18-19.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The verse outlines two severe repercussions: "lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar."
    • Divine Reproof: God Himself will correct or rebuke those who misrepresent His word.
    • Exposure as a Liar: To add to God's word is to claim divine authority for human ideas, which is ultimately a form of falsehood or deception. Such an act exposes one's lack of integrity and truthfulness before God and others.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew term for "add thou not" is yฤsaftฤ (ื™ึธืกึทืฃ), meaning "to add, increase." This emphasizes the act of appending or supplementing. The word for "reprove" is yฤkiaแธฅ (ื™ึธื›ึทื—), which can mean to argue, convince, convict, or rebuke, indicating a strong divine correction. "Liar" is kฤzฤv (ื›ึธึผื–ึธื‘), signifying falsehood, deception, or one who speaks lies. These terms collectively highlight the gravity of misrepresenting God's truth.

Practical Application

Proverbs 30:6 is profoundly relevant for believers today. It calls us to approach the Bible with humility and reverence, recognizing it as God's authoritative and complete communication. It cautions against:

  • Personal Interpretation: Guarding against imposing personal opinions or cultural trends onto scripture, instead seeking to understand its original meaning.
  • False Teaching: Warning against those who introduce doctrines or practices not found in the Bible, or who distort its clear teachings for personal gain or influence.
  • Integrity in Sharing: Emphasizing the importance of accurately quoting and interpreting God's word when teaching, preaching, or discussing it with others.

Ultimately, this verse is a call to uphold the integrity of God's inspired Word, trusting in its perfection and sufficiency for all matters of faith and life.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 12:32

    What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.

  • Deuteronomy 4:2

    Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish [ought] from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

  • Revelation 22:18

    For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

  • Revelation 22:19

    And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and [from] the things which are written in this book.

  • Job 13:7

    Will ye speak wickedly for God? and talk deceitfully for him?

  • Job 13:9

    Is it good that he should search you out? or as one man mocketh another, do ye [so] mock him?

  • 1 Corinthians 15:15

    Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.