Proverbs 30:13 (KJV)

What does Proverbs 30:13 mean?

Proverbs 30:13 describes a group of people who are proud and look down on others, shown by the way they carry themselves with “lofty” eyes and raised eyelids. The verse points out an attitude of arrogance and self-importance that sets this generation apart.

This verse is part of a section where Agur, the writer, lists different kinds of troubling attitudes he sees in people. He is speaking to anyone willing to listen, warning about the dangers of pride. The description uses vivid language to show how pride can be seen not just in words, but in how people look at others and present themselves.

The Hebrew behind Proverbs 30:13

• The word for “generation” is דּוֹר (dor, H1755), which often means a group of people living at the same time, but here it highlights a type or kind of people with a certain attitude.
• “Lofty” comes from רוּם (rum, H7311), meaning to be high or exalted. In this context, it paints a picture of people who see themselves as above others.
• “Eyes” is עַיִן (ayin, H5869), and “eyelids” is עַפְעַף (aph'af, H6079). Mentioning both eyes and eyelids emphasizes the visible, outward signs of pride—how people look at others or even roll their eyes.
• The word “up” is נָשָׂא (nasa, H5375), meaning to lift or carry. Here, it suggests the act of lifting up the eyelids in a way that signals arrogance.

Why Proverbs 30:13 matters

• Proverbs 30:13 helps readers recognize that pride is not just an inner feeling but can be seen in outward actions and attitudes, even in something as small as a look.
• This verse fits into a series of observations about different kinds of people who disrupt community life, showing that arrogance is a recurring problem across generations.
• By describing pride in such concrete terms, the verse encourages self-reflection about how subtle signs of arrogance might show up in everyday behavior.