Proverbs 30:13

13 There are those—how lofty are their eyes, how high their eyelids lift!—

Proverbs 30:13 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 30:13

[There is] a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and
their eyelids are lifted up.
] Above others, on whom they look with scorn and contempt; as those do who have more riches than others, and boast of them; they despise their poor neighbours, and disdain to look upon them: and such also who have more knowledge and wisdom than others, or at least think so; they are puffed up in their fleshly minds, and say of the illiterate or less knowing, as the proud Pharisees did, "this people, who knoweth not the law, are cursed": and likewise those who fancy themselves more holy and righteous than others; these, in a scornful manner, say, "stand by thyself, I am holier than thou"; and thank God they are not as other men are, as publicans and sinners; see ( Proverbs 19:4 Proverbs 19:7 ) ( John 7:49 ) ( Isaiah 65:4 ) ( Luke 18:11 Luke 18:12 ) . Hence Pliny F9 says, that in the eyebrows there is a part of the mind; those especially show haughtiness; that pride has a receptacle elsewhere, but here it has its seat; it is bred in the heart, but here it comes and here it hangs: wherefore Juvenal F11 calls pride and haughtiness, "grande supercilium"; and proud haughty persons are said to be supercilious.


FOOTNOTES:

F9 Nat. Hist. 1. 11. c. 37.
F11 Satyr. 6. v. 168.

Proverbs 30:13 In-Context

11 There are those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers.
12 There are those who are pure in their own eyes yet are not cleansed of their filthiness.
13 There are those—how lofty are their eyes, how high their eyelids lift!—
14 there are those whose teeth are swords, whose teeth are knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, the needy from among mortals.
15 The leech has two daughters; "Give, give," they cry. Three things are never satisfied; four never say, "Enough":
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.