Proverbs 30:9
Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.
Original Language Analysis
פֶּ֥ן
H6435
פֶּ֥ן
Strong's:
H6435
Word #:
1 of 12
properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest
אֶשְׂבַּ֨ע׀
Lest I be full
H7646
אֶשְׂבַּ֨ע׀
Lest I be full
Strong's:
H7646
Word #:
2 of 12
to sate, i.e., fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively)
וְכִחַשְׁתִּי֮
and deny
H3584
וְכִחַשְׁתִּי֮
and deny
Strong's:
H3584
Word #:
3 of 12
to be untrue, in word (to lie, feign, disown) or deed (to disappoint, fail, cringe)
מִ֥י
H4310
מִ֥י
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
5 of 12
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
יְה֫וָ֥ה
Who is the LORD
H3068
יְה֫וָ֥ה
Who is the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
6 of 12
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וּפֶֽן
H6435
וּפֶֽן
Strong's:
H6435
Word #:
7 of 12
properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest
אִוָּרֵ֥שׁ
or lest I be poor
H3423
אִוָּרֵ֥שׁ
or lest I be poor
Strong's:
H3423
Word #:
8 of 12
to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish
וְגָנַ֑בְתִּי
and steal
H1589
וְגָנַ֑בְתִּי
and steal
Strong's:
H1589
Word #:
9 of 12
to thieve (literally or figuratively); by implication, to deceive
וְ֝תָפַ֗שְׂתִּי
and take
H8610
וְ֝תָפַ֗שְׂתִּי
and take
Strong's:
H8610
Word #:
10 of 12
to manipulate, i.e., seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay; figuratively, to use unwarrantably
Cross References
Hosea 13:6According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me.Deuteronomy 31:20For when I shall have brought them into the land which I sware unto their fathers, that floweth with milk and honey; and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat; then will they turn unto other gods, and serve them, and provoke me, and break my covenant.Deuteronomy 32:15But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.Jeremiah 2:31O generation, see ye the word of the LORD. Have I been a wilderness unto Israel? a land of darkness? wherefore say my people, We are lords; we will come no more unto thee?Exodus 20:7Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.Matthew 26:72And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.Matthew 26:74Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.Joshua 24:27And Joshua said unto all the people, Behold, this stone shall be a witness unto us; for it hath heard all the words of the LORD which he spake unto us: it shall be therefore a witness unto you, lest ye deny your God.Proverbs 29:24Whoso is partner with a thief hateth his own soul: he heareth cursing, and bewrayeth it not.Exodus 5:2And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.
Historical Context
The Israelites' wilderness testing (Deuteronomy 8) proved that prosperity often breeds forgetfulness of God. Conversely, economic desperation drove some to crimes that brought reproach on their faith (Leviticus 19:11-12, linking theft to profaning God's name).
Questions for Reflection
- In what ways does financial security tempt you to live as though you don't need God?
- How might your response to economic pressure either honor or dishonor God's name before watching unbelievers?
- What spiritual disciplines help maintain God-dependence whether in plenty or want (Philippians 4:12)?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Lest I be full, and deny thee—The danger of riches: sābaʿ (שָׂבַע, be full/satisfied) leads to kāḥash (כָּחַשׁ, deny/disown). And say, Who is the LORD?—Practical atheism, not intellectual denial but functional independence. Israel's history proved this pattern (Deuteronomy 8:12-14, Hosea 13:6). Or lest I be poor, and steal—The danger of poverty: gānab (גָּנַב, steal) and take the name of my God in vain (tāp̱aś, תָּפַשׂ, profane)—desperation leading to sin that dishonors God's reputation.
Both extremes threaten one's testimony. Agur's realism about human weakness before temptation shows wisdom. The prayer acknowledges that circumstances affect sanctification, though they don't excuse sin.