Proverbs 30:22
Proverbs 30:22 in Multiple Translations
a servant who becomes king, a fool who is filled with food,
For a servant when he reigneth; and a fool when he is filled with meat;
For a servant when he is king; And a fool when he is filled with food;
A servant when he becomes a king; a man without sense when his wealth is increased;
a slave becoming a king, a stupid person eating like a pig,
For a seruant when he reigneth, and a foole when he is filled with meate,
For a servant when he reigneth, And a fool when he is satisfied with bread,
For a servant when he is king, a fool when he is filled with food,
For a servant when he reigneth; and a fool when he is filled with food.
By a slave when he reigneth: by a fool when he is filled with meat:
What a slave does who becomes a king, a foolish person eating too much food,
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 30:22
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Proverbs 30:22 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
תַּֽחַת
עֶ֭בֶד
כִּ֣י
יִמְל֑וֹךְ
וְ֝/נָבָ֗ל
כִּ֣י
יִֽשְׂבַּֽע
לָֽחֶם
תַּֽחַת
tachath
H8478
underneath
Prep
עֶ֭בֶד
ʻebed
H5650
servant/slave
N-ms
כִּ֣י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
יִמְל֑וֹךְ
mâlak
H4427
to reign
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
וְ֝/נָבָ֗ל
nâbâl
H5036
foolish
Conj | Adj
כִּ֣י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
יִֽשְׂבַּֽע
sâbaʻ
H7646
to satisfy
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
לָֽחֶם
lechem
H3899
food
N-cs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 30:22
תַּֽחַת
tachath
H8478
"underneath"
Prep
This Hebrew word means underneath or below, often used to describe physical locations or positions. It appears in various books, including Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to indicate something is under or beneath something else. The word has several related meanings.
Definition: : under/below 1) the under part, beneath, instead of, as, for, for the sake of, flat, unto, where, whereas n m 1a) the under part adv accus 1b) beneath prep 1c) under, beneath 1c1) at the foot of (idiom) 1c2) sweetness, subjection, woman, being burdened or oppressed (fig) 1c3) of subjection or conquest 1d) what is under one, the place in which one stands 1d1) in one's place, the place in which one stands (idiom with reflexive pronoun) 1d2) in place of, instead of (in transferred sense) 1d3) in place of, in exchange or return for (of things mutually interchanged) conj 1e) instead of, instead of that 1f) in return for that, because that in compounds 1g) in, under, into the place of (after verbs of motion) 1h) from under, from beneath, from under the hand of, from his place, under, beneath
Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: as, beneath, [idiom] flat, in(-stead), (same) place (where...is), room, for...sake, stead of, under, [idiom] unto, [idiom] when...was mine, whereas, (where-) fore, with. See also: Genesis 1:7; Deuteronomy 7:24; 1 Kings 20:42.
עֶ֭בֶד
ʻebed
H5650
"servant/slave"
N-ms
This word refers to a servant or slave, often in the context of serving God or a human master. It can also describe a prophet or Levite. The KJV translates it as bondage, bondman, or servant.
Definition: 1) slave, servant 1a) slave, servant, man-servant 1b) subjects 1c) servants, worshippers (of God) 1d) servant (in special sense as prophets, Levites etc) 1e) servant (of Israel) 1f) servant (as form of address between equals) Aramaic equivalent: a.vad (עֲבַד "servant/slave" H5649)
Usage: Occurs in 714 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] bondage, bondman, (bond-) servant, (man-) servant. See also: Genesis 9:25; Exodus 11:3; 1 Samuel 8:16.
כִּ֣י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
יִמְל֑וֹךְ
mâlak
H4427
"to reign"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
To advise or counsel is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which can also mean to reign or rule as a king. It is used in the Bible to describe the actions of leaders, like King Solomon, who sought wisdom to rule God's people. This word is found in the book of 1 Kings.
Definition: 1) to be or become king or queen, reign 1a) (Qal) to be or become king or queen, reign 1b) (Hiphil) to make one king or queen, cause to reign 1c) (Hophal) to be made king or queen
Usage: Occurs in 284 OT verses. KJV: consult, [idiom] indeed, be (make, set a, set up) king, be (make) queen, (begin to, make to) reign(-ing), rule, [idiom] surely. See also: Genesis 36:31; 2 Kings 8:15; 2 Chronicles 10:17.
וְ֝/נָבָ֗ל
nâbâl
H5036
"foolish"
Conj | Adj
A foolish person is someone who acts stupidly or wickedly, often in a way that is impious or against God. This word is used to describe someone who lacks sense or wisdom.
Definition: foolish, senseless, fool
Usage: Occurs in 18 OT verses. KJV: fool(-ish, -ish man, -ish woman), vile person. See also: Deuteronomy 32:6; Psalms 74:18; Psalms 14:1.
כִּ֣י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
יִֽשְׂבַּֽע
sâbaʻ
H7646
"to satisfy"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
To satisfy means to fill someone with enough of something, like food or desire, and can also mean to have too much of something.
Definition: 1) to be satisfied, be sated, be fulfilled, be surfeited 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to be sated (with food) 1a2) to be sated, be satisfied with, be fulfilled, be filled, have one's fill of (have desire satisfied) 1a3) to have in excess, be surfeited, be surfeited with 1a3a) to be weary of (fig) 1b) (Piel) to satisfy 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to satisfy 1c2) to enrich 1c3) to sate, glut (with the undesired)
Usage: Occurs in 93 OT verses. KJV: have enough, fill (full, self, with), be (to the) full (of), have plenty of, be satiate, satisfy (with), suffice, be weary of. See also: Exodus 16:8; Proverbs 12:11; Psalms 17:14.
לָֽחֶם
lechem
H3899
"food"
N-cs
This Hebrew word refers to food, especially bread or grain. It's used throughout the Bible to describe meals, sacrifices, and daily life, highlighting the importance of food in ancient Israelite culture.
Definition: : food(eating) 1) bread, food, grain 1a) bread 1a1) bread 1a2) bread-corn 1b) food (in general)
Usage: Occurs in 277 OT verses. KJV: (shew-) bread, [idiom] eat, food, fruit, loaf, meat, victuals. See also: Genesis 3:19; 1 Samuel 20:34; Psalms 14:4.
Study Notes — Proverbs 30:22
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 30:22 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 30:22
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 30:22
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 30:22
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 30:22
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 30:22
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 30:22
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 30:22
- Sermons on Proverbs 30:22
Context — The Words of Agur
20This is the way of an adulteress: She eats and wipes her mouth and says, ‘I have done nothing wrong.’
21Under three things the earth trembles, under four it cannot bear up:
22a servant who becomes king, a fool who is filled with food,
23an unloved woman who marries, and a maidservant who supplants her mistress. 24Four things on earth are small, yet they are exceedingly wise:Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 19:10 | Luxury is unseemly for a fool— how much worse for a slave to rule over princes! |
| 2 | Ecclesiastes 10:7 | I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves. |
| 3 | 1 Samuel 25:10–11 | But Nabal asked them, “Who is David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants these days are breaking away from their masters. Why should I take my bread and water and the meat I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give them to these men whose origin I do not know?” |
| 4 | 1 Samuel 25:3 | His name was Nabal, and his wife’s name was Abigail. She was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband, a Calebite, was harsh and evil in his dealings. |
| 5 | Isaiah 3:4–5 | “I will make mere lads their leaders, and children will rule over them.” The people will oppress one another, man against man, neighbor against neighbor; the young will rise up against the old, and the base against the honorable. |
| 6 | 1 Samuel 25:25 | My lord should pay no attention to this scoundrel Nabal, for he lives up to his name: His name means Fool, and folly accompanies him. I, your servant, did not see my lord’s young men whom you sent. |
| 7 | 1 Samuel 30:16 | So he led David down, and there were the Amalekites spread out over all the land, eating, drinking, and celebrating the great amount of plunder they had taken from the land of the Philistines and the land of Judah. |
| 8 | 1 Samuel 25:36–38 | When Abigail returned to Nabal, there he was in the house, holding a feast fit for a king, in high spirits and very drunk. So she told him nothing until morning light. In the morning when Nabal was sober, his wife told him about these events, and his heart failed within him and he became like a stone. About ten days later, the LORD struck Nabal dead. |
| 9 | Proverbs 28:3 | A destitute leader who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain that leaves no food. |
Proverbs 30:22 Summary
[Proverbs 30:22 describes two situations that can lead to chaos and disorder: a servant becoming a king and a fool being filled with food. This verse teaches us that when the natural order of things is disrupted, it can lead to problems and instability. As seen in Proverbs 16:18, pride and a lack of humility can lead to a fall, while wisdom and self-control can lead to a stable and peaceful life (Proverbs 3:1-12). By living in accordance with God's design and wisdom, we can avoid the pitfalls of pride, foolishness, and discontent.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for a servant to become a king in Proverbs 30:22?
This phrase refers to a situation where someone of lowly position or status is suddenly elevated to a position of great power or authority, which can be unstable and even lead to chaos, as seen in the example of Absalom in 2 Samuel 15:1-6 and the warning in 1 Peter 5:3.
How does a fool being filled with food relate to the other examples in the verse?
A fool being filled with food represents a situation where someone lacking in wisdom or self-control is given an abundance of resources, which can lead to further foolishness and poor decision-making, as warned in Proverbs 28:7 and Luke 12:15-21.
What is the common thread among the examples given in Proverbs 30:22?
The common thread is that each situation represents a state of disorder or chaos, where the natural or expected order of things is turned upside down, highlighting the importance of living in accordance with God's design and wisdom, as taught in Proverbs 3:1-12 and Romans 12:3.
How can we apply the wisdom of Proverbs 30:22 to our own lives?
By recognizing the potential for chaos and disorder when the natural order is disrupted, we can strive to live in humility, wisdom, and obedience to God's Word, seeking to avoid the pitfalls of pride, foolishness, and discontent, as encouraged in Proverbs 22:4 and Philippians 2:3-8.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I have seen the natural order of things disrupted in my own life or in the world around me, and how have I responded?
- How can I cultivate humility and a willingness to learn from others, rather than seeking to elevate myself or gain power and status?
- In what ways am I prone to foolishness or lack of self-control, and how can I seek accountability and guidance from God's Word and wise mentors?
- What are some practical steps I can take to prioritize wisdom, obedience, and contentment in my daily life, and to avoid the pitfalls of pride and discontent?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 30:22
For a servant, when he reigneth,.... Being unfit for it through his education, not having been trained up in and learned the arts of government and maxims of it; and through the disposition of his
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 30:22
For three things the earth is disquieted, and for four which it cannot bear: For three (things) the earth is disquieted ... for a servant when he reigned (Proverbs 19:10); (and) a fool, when he is
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 30:22
When he reigneth; when he is advanced to great power and dignity; for such a one is ignorant and unfit for his place, and therefore commits many errors; he is poor, and therefore an insatiable oppressor, according to ; he is proud and imperious, and being maligned and hated by others, he is provoked to hate them, and to be injurious and cruel to them. A fool, a conceited and wilful fool, or all obstinately wicked man, when he is filled with meat; either, 1. When he is glutted with meat or drink, which dulls men’ s reason, and heats their blood, and stirs them up to many insolencies. Or rather, 2. When he abounds in wealth, which in that case is like a sword in a madman’ s hand, being an instrument and occasion of innumerable wickednesses and mischiefs, as appears from common experience.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 30:22
Proverbs 30:22 For a servant when he reigneth; and a fool when he is filled with meat;Ver. 22. For a servant when he reigneth.] As Jeroboam, Saul, Zimri, Herod, Heliogabalus, Phocas. Vespasian only, of all the emperors, is said to have been better for his advancement. For a fool when he is filled with meat.] When his belly is filled with God’ s "hid treasure"; when he prospers and hath what he will. Prosperity is hard meat to fools; they cannot digest it. They grow giddy, as weak heads do after a cup of generous wine, and lay about them like madmen; the folly of these rich fools is foolishness with a witness. Luxuriant animi rebus plerumque secundis. - Ovid.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 30:22
(22) For a servant when he reigneth.—The mischief done by Oriental favourites at court, who often began life as slaves, was proverbial. A fool (nâbhâl).—See above, on Proverbs 17:7. It is only when he has to work hard for his living that he will behave himself decently; if he gets a little money, it will soon be wasted in idleness and self-indulgence.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 30:22
22. reigneth] Better, is, or becomes king.filled with meat] i.e. is rich and prosperous. See Proverbs 30:8-9 above.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 30:22
21-23. Three… four — Hence follows another enigma, the four intolerable things. The earth is disquieted — The land is disturbed, thrown into commotion. A servant when he reigneth — When he becomes a ruler.
Sermons on Proverbs 30:22
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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The Logic of Salvation by Warren Wiersbe | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the coming judgment and the urgency for sinners to put their faith in Jesus Christ. He references an old Appalachian ballad that depicts the |
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Mid South Conference 1981-12 Ezekiel 34: by Lew Clarkson | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the fleeting nature of life and the importance of giving while still alive. He shares a personal story of a trip to Las Vegas and witnessing |
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(1 Samuel) How Not to Respond to an Insult by David Guzik | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of a man named Naval from the book of 1 Samuel. Naval was a wealthy man, but lacked character and was harsh and evil in his actions |
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(1 Samuel) What Submission Is and Is Not by David Guzik | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of David, Nabal, and Abigail from 1 Samuel chapter 25. David and his 400 men were on a mission, and the preacher emphasizes how Go |
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Thurs. Evening Service (2002 C&ma Council) by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of maintaining one's first love for God. He criticizes churches that prioritize attracting "nice" and "clean" people instead |
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(1 Samuel) Winning Back More Than You Lost by David Guzik | In this sermon, the speaker focuses on a story from the Bible about David and his 400 men. Despite being on a mission from God to pursue the Amalekites, David and his men come acro |