Proverbs 25:6
Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:
Original Language Analysis
אַל
H408
אַל
Strong's:
H408
Word #:
1 of 8
not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
תִּתְהַדַּ֥ר
Put not forth
H1921
תִּתְהַדַּ֥ר
Put not forth
Strong's:
H1921
Word #:
2 of 8
to swell up (literally or figuratively, active or passive); by implication, to favor or honor, be high or proud
לִפְנֵי
thyself in the presence
H6440
לִפְנֵי
thyself in the presence
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
3 of 8
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
וּבִמְק֥וֹם
not in the place
H4725
וּבִמְק֥וֹם
not in the place
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
5 of 8
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
גְּ֝דֹלִ֗ים
of great
H1419
גְּ֝דֹלִ֗ים
of great
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
6 of 8
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
Cross References
Proverbs 27:2Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.Proverbs 25:27It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory.Proverbs 16:19Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.Exodus 3:11And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern court protocol required strict adherence to rank and position. Presuming status invited public humiliation. Jesus taught this explicitly: 'When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him...But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher' (Luke 14:8-10).
Questions for Reflection
- What positions or honors are you seeking through self-promotion rather than awaiting legitimate bestowal?
- How does self-promotion reveal pride, and how does patient waiting demonstrate humility?
- What would it look like to serve faithfully without demanding recognition or advancement?
Analysis & Commentary
Don't promote yourself before the king, nor stand in the place of great men. The Hebrew 'hadar' (glorify/honor yourself) and 'maqom' (place/position) warn against presumptuous self-advancement. Humility waits for promotion; pride demands it. This verse teaches that honor received is better than honor seized. Those who promote themselves appear foolish when proper authority doesn't recognize their claimed status. Wait for legitimate recognition rather than demanding unearned honor.