Proverbs 30:30

a lion, mighty among beasts, refusing to retreat before anything;

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Agur addresses his audience by cataloging creatures that display stately stride and impressive walk, placing the lion third in the sequence.

The words — The Hebrew לַ֭יִשׁ (La.yish) translates literally as “a lion,” paired with גִּבּ֣וֹר (gi.Bor) meaning “mighty,” to describe a beast that does not turn back (יָ֝שׁ֗וּב) from anything before it.

The thread — This portrayal of unyielding strength parallels the lion imagery in Numbers 23:24 and Judges 14:18.

Why it lands — The text records the lion’s refusal to retreat as a factual trait within a list of majestic creatures, requiring the reader to recognize how created animals display unflinching resolve.

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

לַ֭יִשׁLa.yisha lion גִּבּ֣וֹרgi.Bor[is] mighty בַּבְּהֵמָ֑הba./be.he.Mahamong the/ animal[s]וְלֹא־ve./lo'-and/ not יָ֝שׁ֗וּבya.Shuvit turns back מִפְּנֵי־mi./pe.nei-from/ before כֹֽל׃Kholanything

King James Version

A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any;

Cross-references

Numbers 23:24 Behold, the people rise like a lioness; they rouse themselves like a lion, not resting until they devour their prey and drink the blood of the slain.”
Judges 14:18 Before sunset on the seventh day, the men of the city said to Samson: “What is sweeter than honey? And what is stronger than a lion?” So he said to them: “If you had not plowed with my heifer, you would not have solved my riddle!”