Proverbs 30:30
Proverbs 30:30 in Multiple Translations
a lion, mighty among beasts, refusing to retreat before anything;
A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any;
The lion, which is mightiest among beasts, And turneth not away for any;
The lion, which is strongest among beasts, not turning from his way for any;
The lion, supreme among wild animals, who isn't frightened of anything.
A lyon which is strong among beastes, and turneth not at the sight of any:
An old lion — mighty among beasts, That turneth not back from the face of any,
The lion, which is mightiest among animals, and doesn’t turn away for any;
A lion, which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any;
A lion, the strongest of beasts, who hath no fear of any thing he meeteth:
Lions, which are stronger than all other animals and are not afraid of any of them;
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 30:30
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 30:30 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
לַ֭יִשׁ
גִּבּ֣וֹר
בַּ/בְּהֵמָ֑ה
וְ/לֹא
יָ֝שׁ֗וּב
מִ/פְּנֵי
כֹֽל
לַ֭יִשׁ
layish
H3918
lion
N-ms
גִּבּ֣וֹר
gibbôwr
H1368
mighty man
Adj
בַּ/בְּהֵמָ֑ה
bᵉhêmâh
H929
animal
Prep | N-fs
וְ/לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Conj | Part
יָ֝שׁ֗וּב
shûwb
H7725
to return
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
מִ/פְּנֵי
pânîym
H6440
face
Prep | N-cp
כֹֽל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate between words.
Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 30:30
לַ֭יִשׁ
layish
H3918
"lion"
N-ms
This word means a lion, known for its destructive power. It is translated as lion in the KJV Bible, symbolizing strength and ferocity.
Definition: lion
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: (old) lion. See also: Job 4:11; Proverbs 30:30; Isaiah 30:6.
גִּבּ֣וֹר
gibbôwr
H1368
"mighty man"
Adj
This word describes a strong or mighty man, like a warrior or champion, as seen in 1 Samuel 17:51 where David defeats Goliath. It can also imply a brave or valiant person.
Definition: adj 1) strong, mighty n m 2) strong man, brave man, mighty man
Usage: Occurs in 152 OT verses. KJV: champion, chief, [idiom] excel, giant, man, mighty (man, one), strong (man), valiant man. See also: Genesis 6:4; 2 Chronicles 17:16; Psalms 19:6.
בַּ/בְּהֵמָ֑ה
bᵉhêmâh
H929
"animal"
Prep | N-fs
This word refers to animals, especially large quadruped mammals. It's used in the Bible to describe livestock, wild beasts, and other creatures. It appears in stories of creation, farming, and wildlife.
Definition: 1) beast, cattle, animal 1a) beasts (coll of all animals) 1b) cattle, livestock (of domestic animals) 1c) wild beasts
Usage: Occurs in 172 OT verses. KJV: beast, cattle. See also: Genesis 1:24; Deuteronomy 28:11; Psalms 8:8.
וְ/לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Conj | Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
יָ֝שׁ֗וּב
shûwb
H7725
"to return"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to return or turn back, and can be used literally or figuratively. It is often used to describe someone returning to God or repenting from sin, as seen in the book of Psalms and the prophets.
Definition: : return 1) to return, turn back 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn back, return 1a1a) to turn back 1a1b) to return, come or go back 1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back 1a1d) of dying 1a1e) of human relations (fig) 1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig) 1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise 1a1f2) to turn away (of God) 1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent 1a1f4) turn back (from evil) 1a1g) of inanimate things 1a1h) in repetition 1b) (Polel) 1b1) to bring back 1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig) 1b3) to lead away (enticingly) 1b4) to show turning, apostatise 1c) (Pual) restored (participle) 1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back 1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment 1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore 1d3) to bring back, report to, answer 1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense) 1d5) to turn back or backward, repel, defeat, repulse, hinder, reject, refuse 1d6) to turn away (face), turn toward 1d7) to turn against 1d8) to bring back to mind 1d9) to show a turning away 1d10) to reverse, revoke 1e) (Hophal) to be returned, be restored, be brought back 1f) (Pulal) brought back
Usage: Occurs in 953 OT verses. KJV: ((break, build, circumcise, dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge, make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) [idiom] again, (cause to) answer ([phrase] again), [idiom] in any case (wise), [idiom] at all, averse, bring (again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back), cease, [idiom] certainly, come again (back), [idiom] consider, [phrase] continually, convert, deliver (again), [phrase] deny, draw back, fetch home again, [idiom] fro, get (oneself) (back) again, [idiom] give (again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see) more, [idiom] needs, be past, [idiom] pay, pervert, pull in again, put (again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve, (cause to, make to) return, reverse, reward, [phrase] say nay, send back, set again, slide back, still, [idiom] surely, take back (off), (cause to, make to) turn (again, self again, away, back, back again, backward, from, off), withdraw. See also: Genesis 3:19; Numbers 8:25; Judges 8:13.
מִ/פְּנֵי
pânîym
H6440
"face"
Prep | N-cp
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.
כֹֽל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
Study Notes — Proverbs 30:30
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 30:30 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 30:30
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 30:30
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 30:30
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 30:30
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 30:30
- Sermons on Proverbs 30:30
Context — The Words of Agur
28and the lizard can be caught in one’s hands, yet it is found in the palaces of kings.
29There are three things that are stately in their stride, and four that are impressive in their walk:
30a lion, mighty among beasts, refusing to retreat before anything;
31a strutting rooster; a he-goat; and a king with his army around him. 32If you have foolishly exalted yourself or if you have plotted evil, put your hand over your mouth.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Numbers 23:24 | Behold, the people rise like a lioness; they rouse themselves like a lion, not resting until they devour their prey and drink the blood of the slain.” |
| 2 | Judges 14:18 | Before sunset on the seventh day, the men of the city said to Samson: “What is sweeter than honey? And what is stronger than a lion?” So he said to them: “If you had not plowed with my heifer, you would not have solved my riddle!” |
Proverbs 30:30 Summary
[This verse describes a lion as a strong and fearless animal that doesn't back down from anything. The lion is an example of courage and strength, qualities that are important for us as Christians to have as well. Just like the lion, we can be strong and courageous when we trust in God's power and promises, as seen in Psalm 28:7 and Philippians 4:13. By trusting in God, we can face challenges with confidence and boldness, just like the lion.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for the lion to be 'mighty among beasts' in Proverbs 30:30?
This phrase highlights the lion's strength and dominance over other animals, much like how God is mighty and powerful over all creation, as seen in Psalm 103:20 and Isaiah 40:26.
Why does the lion 'refuse to retreat before anything' in this verse?
The lion's refusal to retreat demonstrates its courage and fearlessness, qualities that are also desirable for believers, as encouraged in Deuteronomy 31:6 and 2 Timothy 1:7.
How can we apply the characteristics of the lion to our own lives as Christians?
We can strive to be strong and courageous in our faith, just like the lion, by trusting in God's power and promises, as expressed in Ephesians 6:10 and Philippians 4:13.
Is the lion being portrayed as a positive or negative example in this verse?
The lion is being presented as a positive example of strength and courage, which are admirable qualities, but it is also important to remember that our ultimate strength and courage come from God, as stated in Proverbs 28:1 and 2 Corinthians 12:9-10.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I need to be more courageous and fearless, like the lion?
- How can I trust in God's power and promises to give me the strength I need to face challenges?
- What are some ways I can demonstrate strength and courage in my relationships and interactions with others?
- How can I balance being strong and courageous with being humble and dependent on God?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 30:30
A lion, [which is] strongest among beasts,.... For what is stronger than a lion, or more courageous and undaunted?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 30:30
A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any; A lion ... turneth not away for any - Hebrew 'from the presence of any;' i:e., for fear of any (cf. Job 39:22).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 30:30
He doth not flee from his pursuers, whether men or beasts, but walketh away with a slow and majestic pace, as is observed by Aristotle, and many others.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 30:30
29–31. Four things that are stately.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 30:30
29-31. Three… four… comely — The author here adds the four things of stately or majestic gait. A lion — The most heroic among the beasts, or, at least, so popularly held, and, therefore, called the king of beasts.
Sermons on Proverbs 30:30
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
The Lion by Harriet N. Cook | Harriet N. Cook delves into the symbolism of the lion in the Bible, highlighting its strength, boldness, and predatory nature as described in various verses. The lion is portrayed |