Proverbs 3:30

Do not accuse a man without cause, when he has done you no harm.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — The author of Proverbs addresses a student audience, continuing a sequence of ethical directives within a wisdom-teaching context. The verse appears immediately after a warning against plotting against a trusting neighbor and before an instruction to avoid emulating violent men.

The words — The Hebrew verb תָּרִ֣יב (ta.riv) translates literally to "you contend" or "accuse," while חִנָּ֑ם (chi.Nam) means "without cause" or "gratis." The negative command אַל־ תָּרִ֣יב (al-ta.riv) functions as a direct prohibition against initiating legal or personal conflict.

The thread — This prohibition against baseless accusation runs through Wisdom literature and New Testament ethics, appearing alongside warnings about hot-tempered men in Proverbs 29:22 and instructions for forbearance in 2 Timothy 2:24. It aligns with the broader biblical mandate to actively pursue peace as recorded in Romans 12:18.

Why it lands — The text commands readers to refrain from bringing accusations or initiating conflict when the other person has committed no wrong. It requires deliberate restraint against reactive hostility and demands a factual assessment of actual harm before engaging in dispute.

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

אַל־'al-may not תָּרִ֣יבta.rivyou contend עִם־'im-with אָדָ֣ם'a.Damanyone חִנָּ֑םchi.Namwithout cause אִם־'im-if לֹ֖אlo'not גְמָלְךָ֣ge.ma.le./Khahe has dealt out to/ you רָעָֽה׃ra.'Ahevil

King James Version

Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.

Cross-references

2 Timothy 2:24 And a servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and forbearing.
Proverbs 29:22 An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.
Romans 12:18 If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone.
Proverbs 18:6 A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.
Proverbs 25:8 do not bring hastily to court. Otherwise, what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame?
Proverbs 17:14 To start a quarrel is to release a flood; so abandon the dispute before it breaks out.
Matthew 5:39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also;
1 Corinthians 6:6 Instead, one brother goes to law against another, and this in front of unbelievers!