Bible Strands
Proverbs 25:6
Do not exalt yourself in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the place of great men;
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The text delivers courtly instructions to individuals seeking audience with a ruler, warning against seeking preferential treatment. It addresses subjects who might attempt to insert themselves into positions reserved for higher officials.
The words — תִּתְהַדַּר (tit.ha.Dar) literally means "you claim honor," commanding restraint against self-promotion. תַּעֲמֹד (ta.'a.Mod) means "you stand," warning against positioning oneself arrogantly among elites.
The thread — The text's prohibition against self-exaltation aligns with the instruction to let another praise you in Proverbs 27:2 and the preference for humility over pride in Proverbs 16:19. It also matches the caution against pursuing one’s own glory in Proverbs 25:27.
Why it lands — The text demands that readers reject self-promotion and accept their assigned position rather than demanding higher status. It requires practical restraint in social and professional hierarchies.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:
Cross-references
- Proverbs 27:2 Let another praise you, and not your own mouth—a stranger, and not your own lips.
- Proverbs 16:19 It is better to be lowly in spirit among the humble than to divide the spoil with the proud.
- Proverbs 25:27 It is not good to eat too much honey or to search out one’s own glory.
- Exodus 3:11 But Moses asked God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”
- 1 Samuel 15:17 And Samuel said, “Although you were once small in your own eyes, have you not become the head of the tribes of Israel? The LORD anointed you king over Israel
- 2 Samuel 7:8 Now then, you are to tell My servant David that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: I took you from the pasture, from following the flock, to be the ruler over My people Israel.
- Psalms 131:1 A song of ascents. Of David. My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty. I do not aspire to great things or matters too lofty for me.
- Jeremiah 1:6 “Ah, Lord GOD,” I said, “I surely do not know how to speak, for I am only a child!”
- 1 Samuel 9:20 As for the donkeys you lost three days ago, do not worry about them, for they have been found. And upon whom is all the desire of Israel, if not upon you and all your father’s house?”
- 1 Samuel 18:18 And David said to Saul, “Who am I, and what is my family or my father’s clan in Israel, that I should become the son-in-law of the king?”