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.

PROVERBS 30:9KJV
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Proverbs 30:9 (KJV)

What does Proverbs 30:9 mean?

Proverbs 30:9 warns about the dangers that come with both wealth and poverty: being full might lead someone to forget or deny God, while being poor might tempt someone to steal and dishonor God’s name. The verse asks God to provide just enough, so neither extreme leads to sin.

This verse is part of a prayer by Agur, who is speaking to God and reflecting on the risks that come with having too much or too little. Agur recognizes human weakness—how abundance can breed pride or forgetfulness (“Who is the LORD?”), and how desperation can lead to theft and disrespect for God. The verse highlights a desire for balance and integrity in daily life.

The Hebrew behind Proverbs 30:9

  • “Full” (שָׂבַע, sāvaʿ, H7646) means to be satisfied or have plenty. Here, it points to the spiritual danger of self-sufficiency that can come with abundance.
  • “Deny” (כָּחַשׁ, kāḥash, H3584) means to reject or disown. The verse connects fullness with the risk of denying God’s importance.
  • “LORD” (יְהוָה, YHWH, H3068) is the personal name for God in the Hebrew Bible. The phrase “Who is the LORD?” signals a dismissive attitude, not just ignorance.
  • “Steal” (גָּנַב, ganav, H1589) is the ordinary word for theft, showing the practical temptation poverty can bring.
  • “Take” (תָּפַשׂ, tāphas, H8610) here means to seize or lay hold of, used in the sense of misusing or profaning God’s name.
  • “Name” (שֵׁם, shem, H8034) refers to God’s reputation or character, so to “take the name…in vain” is to dishonor God publicly.

Why Proverbs 30:9 matters

  • Proverbs 30:9 clarifies that both wealth and poverty carry spiritual risks, challenging the idea that only one or the other is dangerous.
  • The verse connects personal behavior—like theft or pride—to one’s relationship with God, showing how daily needs can affect faithfulness.
  • This prayer for “enough” ties into the wider biblical theme of contentment and dependence on God, echoing ideas found elsewhere, such as the Lord’s Prayer’s request for daily bread.