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Proverbs 30:21

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Proverbs 30:21 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For three things the earth doth tremble, And for four, [which] it cannot bear:” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For three things the earth doth tremble, And for four, [which] it cannot bear:
Proverbs 30:21 — American Standard Version

Context — Proverbs 30

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
18There are three things which are too wonderful for me, Yea, four which I know not:
19The way of an eagle in the air; The way of a serpent upon a rock; The way of a ship in the midst of the sea; And the way of a man with a maiden.
20So is the way of an adulterous woman; She eateth, and wipeth her mouth, And saith, I have done no wickedness.
21For three things the earth doth tremble, And for four, [which] it cannot bear:
22For a servant when he is king; And a fool when he is filled with food;
23For an odious woman when she is married; And a handmaid that is heir to her mistress.
24There are four things which are little upon the earth, But they are exceeding wise:
← Proverbs 30:20Proverbs 30:22 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Pride and cruelty, the undue exaltation of those unfit to hold power, produce those vices which disquiet society (compare Pro 19:10; Pro 28:3).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For four which it cannot bear - Better: four it cannot bear. Here the common element is that of being intolerable, and the four examples are divided equally between the two sexes. Each has its examples of power and prosperity misused because they fall to the lot of those who have no training for them, and are therefore in the wrong place. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Four - Which are intolerable in human societies. Proverbs 30:22”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“30:21-23 This proverb lists four things that make the earth tremble because they overturn the order of things. • who prospers (literally who is full of bread): In the ancient Near East as in much of the non-industrialized world today, having adequate food (bread) was a sign of prosperity.”
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Related study paths

Read Proverbs 30 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification