◄ Proverbs 30:8 ►
Keep falsehood and deceitful words far from me. Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the bread that is my portion.
Study Bible
Keep falsehood and deceitful words far from me
The Hebrew word for "falsehood" is "שָׁוְא" (shav), which conveys a sense of emptiness, vanity, or deceit. In the ancient Near Eastern context, falsehood was not just about lying but also about living a life that is not aligned with God's truth. The plea to keep deceitful words away reflects a desire for integrity and authenticity in one's relationship with God and others. This phrase underscores the importance of truthfulness as a foundation for a righteous life, echoing the biblical principle that God detests lying lips but delights in those who are truthful (Proverbs 12:22).

Give me neither poverty nor riches
The Hebrew words for "poverty" (רֵאשׁ, resh) and "riches" (עֹשֶׁר, osher) highlight a balanced approach to material wealth. In the ancient world, wealth was often seen as a sign of God's blessing, while poverty was viewed as a curse. However, this verse challenges that notion by seeking a middle ground. The request for neither extreme reflects a desire for contentment and reliance on God rather than on material possessions. It acknowledges the potential spiritual dangers of both wealth, which can lead to pride and self-reliance, and poverty, which can lead to desperation and temptation.

feed me with the bread that is my portion
The phrase "bread that is my portion" uses the Hebrew word "חֹק" (choq), which means a prescribed portion or statute. This reflects a deep trust in God's provision, reminiscent of the Israelites' experience with manna in the wilderness, where they were given just enough for each day (Exodus 16:18). The request for daily bread is a humble acknowledgment of dependence on God for sustenance, aligning with the prayer Jesus taught in Matthew 6:11, "Give us this day our daily bread." It emphasizes a life of faith, where one relies on God's provision rather than accumulating excess for security.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Agur
The author of Proverbs 30, Agur son of Jakeh, is a figure about whom little is known. His words reflect a deep humility and reliance on God.

2. Israel
The cultural and religious context of Israel provides the backdrop for understanding the wisdom literature, including Proverbs.

3. Wisdom Literature
Proverbs is part of the wisdom literature in the Bible, which includes practical teachings for living a life that honors God.
Teaching Points
Avoiding Deception
The prayer to keep falsehood and deceitful words far away highlights the importance of integrity and truthfulness in our lives.

Contentment with Provision
Seeking neither poverty nor riches encourages a heart of contentment, trusting God to provide what is necessary for our needs.

Dependence on God
The request for "the bread that is my portion" reflects a dependence on God for daily sustenance, reminding us to rely on Him rather than our own understanding or efforts.

Balance in Life
The balance between poverty and riches suggests a life of moderation, avoiding the extremes that can lead to spiritual pitfalls.

Prayerful Attitude
This verse encourages a prayerful attitude, seeking God's wisdom and provision in all aspects of life.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Agur's request in Proverbs 30:8 challenge our modern views on wealth and success?

2. In what ways can we apply the principle of "the bread that is my portion" to our daily lives?

3. How does the theme of contentment in Proverbs 30:8 relate to Paul's teachings in 1 Timothy 6:6-10?

4. What practical steps can we take to keep falsehood and deceitful words far from us in our personal and professional lives?

5. How does the account of manna in Exodus 16:18 illustrate the principle of relying on God for our daily needs, as seen in Proverbs 30:8?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Matthew 6:11
This verse from the Lord's Prayer, "Give us this day our daily bread," echoes the sentiment of relying on God for daily provision, similar to the request in Proverbs 30:8 for "the bread that is my portion."

1 Timothy 6:6-10
These verses discuss contentment and the dangers of desiring wealth, aligning with the plea in Proverbs 30:8 to avoid both poverty and riches.

Exodus 16:18
The account of manna in the wilderness illustrates God's provision of just enough for each day, paralleling the request for daily sustenance in Proverbs 30:8.
Sermons
A Definition of MoneyProverbs 30:8
A Moderate Condition the Happiest and SafestN. Brady.Proverbs 30:8
A Sufficiency Adjusted and RecommendedJ. Rogers.Proverbs 30:8
Agur's PrayerChristian Recorder.Proverbs 30:8
Agur's PrayerJames Somerville, D.D.Proverbs 30:8
Agur's Request But One, and that ComparativeJoseph Mede, B.D.Proverbs 30:8
Easy CircumstancesA. Gibson, M.A.Proverbs 30:8
Little Better than MuchSaturday MagazineProverbs 30:8
Moderate DesiresJ. Warwick.Proverbs 30:8
Neither Poverty nor RichesB. Beddome, M.A.Proverbs 30:8
On the Happiness of a Mind Open to the Impression of Truth and Attached to DutyW. L. Brown, D.D.Proverbs 30:8
On the Purity of the HeartJ. Witherspoon, D.D.Proverbs 30:8
On the Temptations and Dangers of Opulence and Exalted StationW. L. Brown, D.D.Proverbs 30:8
Poverty and RichesC. Hickman, D.D.Proverbs 30:8
Seeking a Competency in the Wisdom of ProvidenceJohn Witherspoon, D.D.Proverbs 30:8
The Danger of AdversityJohn Witherspoon, D.D.Proverbs 30:8
The Danger of ExtremesR. Tuck, B.D.Proverbs 30:8
The Danger of ProsperityJohn Witherspoon, D.D.Proverbs 30:8
The Dangers of Riches and PovertyGeo. Haggitt, M.A.Proverbs 30:8
The Eligibility of a Moderate FortuneR. Fiddes, D.D.Proverbs 30:8
The Middle Condition of LifeJames Foster.Proverbs 30:8
The Prayer of AgurG. Carr, B.A.Proverbs 30:8
The Proper Measure of Temporal WealthJ. J. Ingram.Proverbs 30:8
The Purgatory of Possessing Much WealthChristian AgeProverbs 30:8
Wealth Presents a Broader Mark for MisfortuneDr. Laurie.Proverbs 30:8
Wherein is a Worldly Condition Most EligibleJohn Oakes.Proverbs 30:8
Agur the PhilosopherD. Thomas, D.D.Proverbs 30:1-9
A New Year's PrayerW. Clarkson Proverbs 30:7-9
The Golden MeanE. Johnson Proverbs 30:7-9
People
Agur, Ithiel, Jakeh, Massa, Ucal
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
FALSE, Bread, Cause, Convenient, Daily, Deception, Eat, Falsehood, Feed, Foolish, Lies, Lying, Needful, Portion, Poverty, Remove, Riches, Vanity, Wealth
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 30:8

     4418   bread
     4966   present, the

Proverbs 30:7-8

     8636   asking

Proverbs 30:7-9

     5555   stealing

Proverbs 30:8-9

     5447   poverty, causes
     6135   coveting, and sin
     6169   godlessness
     8701   affluence
     8743   faithlessness, nature of
     8810   riches, dangers

Library
A Homily for Humble Folks
A Sermon (No. 2140) delivered on Lord's Day, April 27th, 1890 by C.H. Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington. "Surely I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man."--Proverbs 30:2. Sometimes it is necessary for a speaker to refer to himself, and he may feel it needful to do so in a way peculiar to the occasion. When Elihu addressed himself to Job and the three wise men, he commended himself to them saying, "I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth …
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

Temporal Advantages.
"We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content."--1 Tim. vi. 7, 8. Every age has its own special sins and temptations. Impatience with their lot, murmuring, grudging, unthankfulness, discontent, are sins common to men at all times, but I suppose one of those sins which belongs to our age more than to another, is desire of a greater portion of worldly goods than God has given us,--ambition and covetousness …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII

Parable of the Pharisee and Publican.
^C Luke XVIII. 9-14. ^c 9 And he spake also this parable unto certain who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and set all others at nought [It is commonly said that this parable teaches humility in prayer, but the preface and conclusion (see verse 14) show that it is indeed to set forth generally the difference between self-righteousness and humility, and that an occasion of prayer is chosen because it best illustrates the point which the Lord desired to teach. The parable shows that …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Tenth Commandment
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.' Exod 20: 17. THIS commandment forbids covetousness in general, Thou shalt not covet;' and in particular, Thy neighbour's house, thy neighbour's wife, &c. I. It forbids covetousness in general. Thou shalt not covet.' It is lawful to use the world, yea, and to desire so much of it as may keep us from the temptation …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Light for them that Sit in Darkness;
OR, A DISCOURSE OF JESUS CHRIST: AND THAT HE UNDERTOOK TO ACCOMPLISH BY HIMSELF THE ETERNAL REDEMPTION OF SINNERS: ALSO, HOW THE LORD JESUS ADDRESSED HIMSELF TO THIS WORK; WITH UNDENIABLE DEMONSTRATIONS THAT HE PERFORMED THE SAME. OBJECTIONS TO THE CONTRARY ANSWERED. 'Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us.'--Galatians 3:13. by John Bunyan--1674 ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. This solemn and searching treatise was first published in 1674, a copy of which is in …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Vehicles of Revelation; Scripture, the Church, Tradition.
(a) The supreme and unique revelation of God to man is in the Person of the Incarnate Son. But though unique the Incarnation is not solitary. Before it there was the divine institution of the Law and the Prophets, the former a typical anticipation (de Incarn. 40. 2) of the destined reality, and along with the latter (ib. 12. 2 and 5) for all the world a holy school of the knowledge of God and the conduct of the soul.' After it there is the history of the life and teaching of Christ and the writings …
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius

Of the Name of God
Exod. iii. 13, 14.--"And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you." We are now about this question, What God is. But who can answer it? Or, if answered, who can understand it? It should astonish us in …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

"Wash You, Make You Clean, Put Away the Evil of Your Doings from Before Mine Eyes; Cease to do Evil,"
Isaiah i. 16.--"Wash you, make you clean, put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil," &c. If we would have a sum of pure and undefiled religion, here it is set down in opposition to this people's shadow of religion, that consisted in external ordinances and rites. We think that God should be as well-pleased with our service as we ourselves, therefore we choose his commands which our humour hath no particular antipathy against and refuse others. But the Lord will not …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Thoughts Upon Worldly-Riches. Sect. Ii.
TIMOTHY after his Conversion to the Christian Faith, being found to be a Man of great Parts, Learning, and Piety, and so every way qualified for the work of the Ministry, St. Paul who had planted a Church at Ephesus the Metropolis or chief City of all Asia, left him to dress and propagate it, after his departure from it, giving him Power to ordain Elders or Priests, and to visit and exercise Jurisdiction over them, to see they did not teach false Doctrines, 1 Tim. i. 3. That they be unblameable in …
William Beveridge—Private Thoughts Upon a Christian Life

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners Or, a Brief Relation of the Exceeding Mercy of God in Christ, to his Poor Servant, John Bunyan
In this my relation of the merciful working of God upon my soul, it will not be amiss, if in the first place, I do in a few words give you a hint of my pedigree, and manner of bringing up; that thereby the goodness and bounty of God towards me, may be the more advanced and magnified before the sons of men. 2. For my descent then, it was, as is well known by many, of a low and inconsiderable generation; my father's house being of that rank that is meanest, and most despised of all the families in …
John Bunyan—Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners

Further Incidents of the Journey to Jerusalem - the Mission and Return of the Seventy - the Home at Bethany - Martha and Mary
ALTHOUGH, for the reasons explained in the previous chapter, the exact succession of events cannot be absolutely determined, it seems most likely, that it was on His progress southwards at this time that Jesus designated' [3870] those seventy' [3871] others,' who were to herald His arrival in every town and village. Even the circumstance, that the instructions to them are so similar to, and yet distinct from, those formerly given to the Twelve, seems to point to them as those from whom the Seventy …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

A Book for Boys and Girls Or, Temporal Things Spritualized.
by John Bunyan, Licensed and entered according to order. London: Printed for, and sold by, R. Tookey, at his Printing House in St. Christopher's Court, in Threadneedle Street, behind the Royal Exchange, 1701. Advertisement by the Editor. Some degree of mystery hangs over these Divine Emblems for children, and many years' diligent researches have not enabled me completely to solve it. That they were written by Bunyan, there cannot be the slightest doubt. 'Manner and matter, too, are all his own.'[1] …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Thoughts Upon Worldly Riches. Sect. I.
HE that seriously considers the Constitution of the Christian Religion, observing the Excellency of its Doctrines, the Clearness of its Precepts, the Severity of its Threatnings, together with the Faithfulness of its Promises, and the Certainty of its Principles to trust to; such a one may justly be astonished, and admire what should be the reason that they who profess this not only the most excellent, but only true Religion in the World, should notwithstanding be generally as wicked, debauched and …
William Beveridge—Private Thoughts Upon a Christian Life

Councils of Ariminum and Seleucia.
Part I. History of the Councils. Reason why two Councils were called. Inconsistency and folly of calling any; and of the style of the Arian formularies; occasion of the Nicene Council; proceedings at Ariminum; Letter of the Council to Constantius; its decree. Proceedings at Seleucia; reflections on the conduct of the Arians. 1. Perhaps news has reached even yourselves concerning the Council, which is at this time the subject of general conversation; for letters both from the Emperor and the Prefects …
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius

A Defence of the Doctrine of Justification, by Faith in Jesus Christ;
SHEWING, TRUE GOSPEL-HOLINESS FLOWS FROM THENCE; OR, MR. FOWLER'S PRETENDED DESIGN OF CHRISTIANITY, PROVED TO BE NOTHING MORE THAN TO TRAMPLE UNDER FOOT THE BLOOD OF THE SON OF GOD; AND THE IDOLIZING OF MAN'S OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS AS ALSO, HOW WHILE HE PRETENDS TO BE A MINISTER OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND, HE OVERTHROWETH THE WHOLESOME DOCTRINE CONTAINED IN THE 10TH, 11TH, AND 13TH, OF THE THIRTY-NINE ARTICLES OF THE SAME, AND THAT HE FALLETH IN WITH THE QUAKER AND ROMANIST, AGAINST THEM. BY JOHN BUNYAN …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Concerning the Scriptures.
Concerning the Scriptures. From these revelations of the Spirit of God to the saints, have proceeded the Scriptures of Truth, which contain, I. A faithful historical account of the actings of God's people in divers ages; with many singular and remarkable providences attending them. II. A prophetical account of several things, whereof some are already past, and some yet to come. III. A full and ample account of all the chief principles of the doctrine of Christ, held forth in divers precious declarations, …
Robert Barclay—Theses Theologicae and An Apology for the True Christian Divinity

Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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