Proverbs 16:30 (KJV)

What does Proverbs 16:30 mean?

Proverbs 16:30 describes a person who secretly plans harmful or dishonest actions, using gestures like squinting their eyes and moving their lips as they plot and then carry out evil. The verse warns that even subtle, hidden behaviors can reveal someone's intent to do wrong.

This proverb is part of a collection of wise sayings traditionally attributed to Solomon, aimed at teaching practical wisdom. Here, the focus is on how evil intentions often show themselves in small, physical signs before any action is taken. The verse highlights the importance of being alert to the ways people may disguise their harmful plans.

The Hebrew behind Proverbs 16:30

• שָׁעָה (sha‘ah, "shutteth"): This word means to close or narrow, here describing someone narrowing or shutting their eyes, often a sign of scheming or deep thought.
• חָשַׁב (chashav, "devise"): This word means to think, plan, or plot, emphasizing that the person is not just idly thinking but actively scheming.
• תַּהְפֻּכוֹת (tahpukhot, "froward things"): This refers to things that are twisted or perverse, highlighting the morally crooked nature of the plans.
• רָע (ra‘, "evil"): This is a general word for bad or harmful actions, clarifying that the outcome of these secret plans is truly harmful.

Why Proverbs 16:30 matters

• Proverbs 16:30 helps readers recognize that evil often begins with hidden intentions, not just obvious actions, encouraging awareness of subtle warning signs.
• The verse connects to the larger theme in Proverbs about the contrast between wisdom and wickedness, showing how even small gestures can reveal a person's character.
• Understanding the original words sharpens the sense that the proverb is not just about outward actions but about the inner process of planning harm, making the warning more pointed.