Proverbs 30:29
There be three things which go well, yea, four are comely in going:
Original Language Analysis
שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה
There be three
H7969
שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה
There be three
Strong's:
H7969
Word #:
1 of 7
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
מֵיטִ֥בֵי
well
H3190
מֵיטִ֥בֵי
well
Strong's:
H3190
Word #:
3 of 7
to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)
Historical Context
Numerical proverbs (x... x+1) appear throughout Proverbs (6:16-19, 30:15-16, 18-19, 21-23, 24-28, 29-31) and other wisdom literature (Job 5:19, Amos 1-2). This literary device creates anticipation and emphasizes the final item. The form was common in ancient Near Eastern wisdom traditions.
Questions for Reflection
- How does your 'walk' (lifestyle, conduct) reflect the dignity of being God's child?
- What would it mean to move through life with the composure and confidence the proverb describes?
- Who models for you a 'comely' way of living that exhibits grace under pressure?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
There be three things which go well (שְׁלֹשָׁה הֵמָּה מֵיטִיבֵי צָעַד, sheloshah hemmah metivei tza'ad)—שָׁלוֹשׁ (shalosh, 'three') מֵיטִיב (metiv, 'do well, make good') in צַעַד (tza'ad, 'step, march, gait'). This introduces a numerical proverb (three... four) examining dignified, impressive movement.
Yea, four are comely in going (וְאַרְבָּעָה מֵיטִבֵי לָכֶת, ve'arba'ah metivei lakhet)—אַרְבַּע (arba, 'four') expand the list. הָלַךְ (halakh, 'to walk, go') done מֵיטִיב ('well, excellently'). The structure creates expectation: what four things move with dignity? Verses 30-31 answer: lion, greyhound, he-goat, and king. The lesson: certain creatures and persons possess natural majesty in motion. Spiritually, believers should 'walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called' (Ephesians 4:1), exhibiting dignity befitting God's children.