Proverbs 16:30

30 Whoever winks with their eye is plotting perversity; whoever purses their lips is bent on evil.

Proverbs 16:30 in Other Translations

30 He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass.

30 Whoever winks his eyes plansdishonest things; he who purses his lips brings evil to pass.

30 With narrowed eyes, people plot evil; with a smirk, they plan their mischief.

30 A shifty eye betrays an evil intention; a clenched jaw signals trouble ahead.

30 He that shutteth his eyes, [it is] to devise perverse things: He that compresseth his lips bringeth evil to pass.

30 Whoever winks his eye is plotting something devious. Whoever bites his lips has finished his evil work.

30 The one who narrows his eyes is planning deceptions; the one who compresses his lips brings about evil.

30 When he winks with his eyes, he is planning to do wrong. When his lips are tightly closed, he is up to no good.

Proverbs 16:30 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 16:30

He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things
Or "perverse" or "contrary things" ^F18; he shuts his eyes, that his thoughts might not be disturbed and distracted by visible objects, but might be more free and composed, and intent upon the things he is meditating and devising; or he shuts his eyes against light, against Scripture evidence, which he does not care to come to, lest his principles and practices should be reproved; he shuts his eyes, and will not look into the Scriptures, that he may form and devise schemes of doctrine and worship contrary to them. Some render it, he winks with his eyes, as in ( Proverbs 6:13 ) ; so the Targum; he gives the hint thereby to his companions, when is the proper time to circumvent an innocent person, and to put in execution the scheme he had devised; moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass;
either as persons in deep thought used to do; or as a token to others to set about the evil designed and contrived; or rather as acting a deceitful part, as a false teacher; not speaking out his mind freely, but muttering out his words, handling the word of God deceitfully, and not by manifestation of the truth commending himself to every man's conscience in the sight of God, as a faithful minister does; and by such artful methods brings his evil designs to pass. The Vulgate Latin version renders it, "biting his lips"; so a wicked man does through indignation at a good man, and through desire of revenge; and when he plots against him, he gnashes at him with his teeth, ( Psalms 37:12 ) . The Targum is,

``threatening with his lips;''

he gives out menaces of evil things, and performs them; which is true of the man of sin, ( Revelation 13:5-7 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F18 (twkpht) "perversitates", Pagninus, Montanus, Baynus, Mercerus, Gejerus; "res perversas", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "perversa", Michaelis.

Proverbs 16:30 In-Context

28 A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.

29 A violent person entices their neighbor and leads them down a path that is not good.

30 Whoever winks with their eye is plotting perversity; whoever purses their lips is bent on evil.

31 Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness.

32 Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.

Cross References

• 1. S Proverbs 6:13