Bible Strands
Proverbs 30:31
a strutting rooster; a he-goat; and a king with his army around him.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Agur addresses a ruling authority or governing audience, placing his list of imposing figures between a description of a proud lion and an immediate warning against arrogant self-exaltation.
The words — זַרְזִיר (zar.Zir) denotes a strutting rooster, while מָתְנַ֣יִם (ma.te.Na.yim) literally means loins, specifying the anatomical posture that produces the animal's forward movement.
The thread — The recurring biblical focus on royal or mighty figures appears in Proverbs 16:14, Proverbs 20:2, and Daniel 3:15, where earthly authority and its associated power or wrath are consistently documented.
Why it lands — The text records visible displays of strength before demanding that anyone who has foolishly exalted themselves or plotted evil must immediately restrain their speech, requiring sober humility rather than imitation of earthly power.
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
A greyhound; an he goat also; and a king, against whom there is no rising up.
Cross-references
- Daniel 3:15 Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the statue I have made, very good. But if you refuse to worship, you will be thrown at once into the blazing fiery furnace. Then what god will be able to deliver you from my hands?”
- Proverbs 16:14 The wrath of a king is a messenger of death, but a wise man will pacify it.
- Proverbs 20:2 The terror of a king is like the roar of a lion; whoever provokes him forfeits his own life.