Proverbs 30:13

13 [There is] a generation--how lofty [are] their eyes! And their eyelids they will lift.

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.

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FOOTNOTES:

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

Proverbs 30:13 In-Context

11 [There is] a generation [that] will curse its father, and its mother it will not bless.

12 [There is] a generation [that is] pure in its own eyes, but from its filthiness it will not be cleansed.

13 [There is] a generation--how lofty [are] their eyes! And their eyelids they will lift.

14 [There is] a generation whose teeth [are] swords, and its jawbones, knives, [in order] to devour the poor from the earth and the needy from humankind.

15 For the leech, [there are] two daughters; "Give, give!" [they cry]. As for three of these, they are not satisfied; as for four, they do not say enough.