Proverbs 21:4 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin.

NIV: Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the unplowed field of the wicked—produce sin.

NASB: Haughty eyes and a proud heart, The lamp of the wicked, is sin.

CSB: The lamp that guides the wicked— haughty eyes and an arrogant heart —is sin.

NLT: Haughty eyes, a proud heart, and evil actions are all sin.

KJV: An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.

NKJV: A haughty look, a proud heart, And the plowing of the wicked are sin.

Scripture sometimes uses the imagery of a lamp in reference to what guides a person. A positive example of this would be the one who lets God's instruction lead their choices (Proverbs 6:23; Psalm 18:28). A negative example is the one controlled by their temptations and urges (Matthew 6:22–23). Lamps are also sometimes used to depict a person's life, itself (Proverbs 24:20; Matthew 5:14–16).

This proverb notes that immoral people are guided by arrogance and selfishness. In effect, the arrogant person worships himself. Their life is defined and guided by their preferences, instead of a sincere interest in God's truth (Proverbs 3:1–5). Such attitudes are completely incompatible with submission to Him (Proverbs 6:16–19; Psalm 101:5).

A graphic example of God's hatred for arrogance was Herod Agrippa, who loved the praise of Jews and Gentiles alike. Yet he opposed the Lord by persecuting the apostles. Herod also worked for the worship of the people of Tyre and Sidon who depended on him for food. Acts 12:21 tells us he put on robes and delivered a speech. When the people shouted and declared him to be God, Herod should have deflected that praise to the Lord. Instead, he absorbed the worship for himself (Acts 12:22). This resulted in a speedy, but gruesome death (Acts 12:23). Herod learned the hard way that "God opposes the proud" (James 4:6).

Proverbs 21:1–16 continues Solomon's wise observations (Proverbs 10:1) by acknowledging the Lord's control of kings. He also mentions what the Lord despises: pride, love of money, violence, the conduct of the wicked, the withholding of charity, bribery, and apostasy. On the other hand, he commends righteousness and justice, pure conduct, wise acceptance of instruction, and charity.

This chapter begins and ends with a declaration of God's sovereignty. He alone judges the heart; the Lord considers intentions just as important as physical actions. Other comments include statements about unpleasant spouses, proper perspectives on wealth, work ethic, and the essential nature of godly wisdom. Human wisdom is no match for the sovereign Lord, who alone is ultimately responsible for victory in battle.

This is part of the second major section of the book (Proverbs 10—22) featuring nearly four hundred statements. Most of these are two-line comments presenting common sense and general wisdom. The vague theme of chapter 21 is God's control. Man may believe he is in control of his circumstances, but God superintends everything. The chapter begins and ends by assuring the readers that God holds ultimate sway over all things.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.