Proverbs 30:13

13 A wicked generation have lofty eyes, and exalt themselves with their eyelids.

Proverbs 30:13 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 30:13

[There is] a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and
their eyelids are lifted up.
] Above others, on whom they look with scorn and contempt; as those do who have more riches than others, and boast of them; they despise their poor neighbours, and disdain to look upon them: and such also who have more knowledge and wisdom than others, or at least think so; they are puffed up in their fleshly minds, and say of the illiterate or less knowing, as the proud Pharisees did, "this people, who knoweth not the law, are cursed": and likewise those who fancy themselves more holy and righteous than others; these, in a scornful manner, say, "stand by thyself, I am holier than thou"; and thank God they are not as other men are, as publicans and sinners; see ( Proverbs 19:4 Proverbs 19:7 ) ( John 7:49 ) ( Isaiah 65:4 ) ( Luke 18:11 Luke 18:12 ) . Hence Pliny ^F9 says, that in the eyebrows there is a part of the mind; those especially show haughtiness; that pride has a receptacle elsewhere, but here it has its seat; it is bred in the heart, but here it comes and here it hangs: wherefore Juvenal ^F11 calls pride and haughtiness, "grande supercilium"; and proud haughty persons are said to be supercilious.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F9 Nat. Hist. 1. 11. c. 37.
F11 Satyr. 6. v. 168.

Proverbs 30:13 In-Context

11 A wicked generation curse their father, and do not bless their mother.

12 A wicked generation judge themselves to be just, but do not cleanse their way.

13 A wicked generation have lofty eyes, and exalt themselves with their eyelids.

14 A wicked generation have swords teeth and jaw-teeth knives, so as to destroy and devour the lowly from the earth, and the poor of them from among men.

15 The horse-leech had three dearly-beloved daughters: and these three did not satisfy her; and the fourth was not contented so as to say, Enough.