Proverbs 30:12 — Word Study
WLCדּ֭וֹר טָה֣וֹר בְּעֵינָ֑יו וּ֝מִצֹּאָת֗וֹ לֹ֣א רֻחָֽץ׃
BSAThere is a generationdôwr [of people, a period of time] of those who are pureṭâhôwr [clean, morally upright] in their own eyesʻayin [conscience, perception] and yet unwashedrâchats■ [not cleansed, still filthy] of their filthtsôwʼâh [moral pollution, dirt]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| דּ֭וֹר | a generation | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| טָה֣וֹר | [is] pure | Adj |
| בְּעֵינָ֑יו | in own eyes its | Preposition, noun common feminine dual construct, suffix |
| וּ֝מִצֹּאָת֗וֹ | and from excrement its | Conjunction, preposition, noun common feminine singular construct |
| לֹ֣א | not | Particle |
| רֻחָֽץ׃ | it has been washed | Verb, Pual, perfect third person masculine singular |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | There is a generation of those who are pure in their own eyes and yet unwashed of their filth. |
| KJV | There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness. |
| ASV | There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, And yet are not washed from their filthiness. |
| YLT | A generation — pure in their own eyes, But from their own filth not washed. |
| WEB | There is a generation that is pure in their own eyes, yet are not washed from their filthiness. |
| BBE | There is a generation who seem to themselves to be free from sin, but are not washed from their unclean ways. |
Where they part company is רֻחָֽץ — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence presents a main idea followed by a contrasting clause, emphasizing the disparity between self-perception and reality.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbרָחַץ
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Proverbs 30:12
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Observations on Generationsgenerated
Proverbs 30:12 is part of a series of observations about different generations, each characterized by specific moral traits. The author notes that while some may see themselves as pure, they remain tainted by their actions. This theme of self-deception is echoed in the surrounding verses, which describe the behaviors and attitudes of various generations, emphasizing the contrast between self-perception and reality.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 21:2 | All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart. |
| 2 | Judges 17:5–13 | Now this man Micah had a shrine, and he made an ephod and some household idols, and ordained one of his sons as his priest. |
| 3 | 1 Samuel 15:13–14 | When Samuel reached him, Saul said to him, “May the LORD bless you. I have carried out the LORD’s instructions.” |
| 4 | Job 33:9 | ‘I am pure, without transgression; I am clean, with no iniquity in me. |
| 5 | Psalm 36:2 | For his eyes are too full of conceit to detect or hate his own sin. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 22 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — טָהוֹר, tahorgenerated
The Hebrew word טָהוֹר (tahor) signifies purity or cleanliness, applicable to physical, ceremonial, and moral contexts. Its usage in the Bible often highlights ethical uprightness or the state of being free from contamination.
In this verse, it underscores the irony of a generation that perceives itself as morally upright while being unclean. The adjective is used to describe a condition that is not merely superficial but speaks to deeper moral implications.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The main verb in the verse is רֻחָֽץ, it has been washed, which governs the structure. The sentence presents a contrast between the self-perception of purity and the reality of moral filth.
The construction highlights the duality of perception versus reality, with the phrase בְּעֵינָ֑יו in their own eyes emphasizing the subjective viewpoint of the generation.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates טָהוֹר as δίκαιον (dikaios), meaning just or righteous. This choice shifts the focus slightly from purity to moral righteousness, suggesting a broader ethical implication.
The LXX's rendering of רֻחָֽץ as ἀπένιψεν (apenipsen) indicates a complete washing, which may imply a stronger sense of cleansing than the Hebrew suggests.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Proverbs 30:12 talks about a generation that thinks they are pure and clean in their own eyes, but they are actually still dirty and unwashed. This verse shows how people can be blind to their own flaws while believing they are morally upright.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
It means that a person believes they are morally upright and clean, but this perception may not align with reality.
Being unwashed symbolizes a lack of moral cleanliness or purity, indicating that despite their self-perception, they remain tainted by sin.
This verse fits into a pattern where the author critiques different generations for their moral failings, highlighting a common theme of self-deception.
We can reflect on our own perceptions of morality and consider whether we might be blind to our flaws, encouraging self-examination and humility.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways might I be blind to my own moral failings?
- How can I cultivate a more accurate perception of my actions and their consequences?
- What practices can help me maintain moral cleanliness in my life?
- How does this verse challenge me to think about the way I view others and their actions?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The verse has been commented on by early church fathers, who reflect on its moral implications and the nature of self-deception.
A generation that seems pure to itself, etc. Because God scatters the bones of men pleasing to themselves.Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 30 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Proverbs 30:12 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible[There is] a generation [that are] pure in their own eyes,.... Not in the eyes of God, who sees the heart, and all the impurities of it, as well as of life and conversation; nor in the eyes of
Read John Gill on Proverbs 30 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryThere is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.
Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 30 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleWho not only pretend to others, but conceit within themselves, that they are truly religious persons, when they live in the course of wickedness.
Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 30 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsProverbs 30:12 [There is] a generation [that are] pure in their own eyes, and [yet] is not washed from their filthiness.Ver. 12. There is a generation that are pure, &c.] As the ancient Puritans, the Novatians, Donatists, Catharists, Illuminates. Non habeo, Domine, cui ignoscas, said one justiciary: I have done nothing, Lord, that needs thy pardon. "Ye are those that justify yourselves," saith Christ to the Pharisees. "All these things have I done from my youth; what want I yet?" said one of them that far overweaned his own worth, and rated himself above the market. "In all my labours they shall find none iniquity in me," saith guilty Ephraim; "that were sin," that were a foul business to…
Read John Trapp on Proverbs 30 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 12. The second, Those who were self-righteous, supposing themselves pure, and were not so.
Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 30 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges11–14. Four generations, or classes of men that are detestable.
Read Cambridge on Proverbs 30 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThe Pharisee temper (compare the marginal reference).
Read Albert Barnes on Proverbs 30 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible11-14. The four classes here mentioned Agur assumes will at once be disapproved. To describe them is enough. They need no formal condemnation. Generation — Race, class. Doth not bless — Does not respect or speak well of.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Proverbs 30 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
There is a generation of those who are pure in their own eyes and yet unwashed of their filth.
There is a generation that is pure in their own eyes, yet are not washed from their filthiness.
There is a generation of those who are pure in their own eyes and yet unwashed of their filth.
There is a generation who are pure in their own eyes and yet are not washed from their filthiness.
Tyndale line
There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.
There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, And yet are not washed from their filthiness.
There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes; and yet are not washed from their filthiness.
There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet are not washed from their filthiness.
There is a generation that are pure in their owne conceite, and yet are not washed from their filthinesse.
Strictly literal
there is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, yet are not washed from their filthiness;
A generation — pure in their own eyes, But from their own filth not washed.
A generation—pure in their own eyes, || But not washed from their own filth.
There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes, and yet is not washed [clean] of its filthiness.
There is a generation that is pure in their own eyes, and yet they are not washed of their filth.
From the Latin
A generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet are not washed from their filthiness.
Simplified
There are some who see themselves as pure but they're still filthy—they have not been washed.
There is a generation who seem to themselves to be free from sin, but are not washed from their unclean ways.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text of Proverbs 30:12 reads, "דּ֭וֹר טָה֣וֹר בְּעֵינָ֑יו וּ֝מִצֹּאָת֗וֹ לֹ֣א רֻחָֽץ׃" which translates to, "There is a generation that is pure in their own eyes, yet is not washed from their filth." The Septuagint has a similar meaning but its exact wording and structure differ, as it does not provide a direct translation of the Hebrew but instead offers a paraphrase that captures the essence of the verse. The Samaritan Pentateuch and the Dead Sea Scrolls do not provide additional variants for this verse, indicating that the Masoretic Text's reading is consistent across these witnesses. Therefore, while the Septuagint differs in wording, the core message about the generation's self-perception and lack of true purity remains intact across the texts.
דּ֭וֹר טָה֣וֹר בְּעֵינָ֑יו וּ֝מִצֹּאָת֗וֹ לֹ֣א רֻחָֽץ׃
4 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Proverbs 30:12
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word דּוֹר (dor) encompasses meanings related to a period or generation, often emphasizing the transitory nature of life. It can refer to a specific age, a class of people living at a certain time, or a dwelling place. The entries suggest a focus on both the temporal and spatial aspects of existence.
דּוֹר, דֹּר n.m. period, generation, dwelling
period, age, generation, mostly poet.
of men living at a particular time (period, age), generation, as transitory
generation characterized by quality or condition, class of men
dwelling-place, habitation
base
H1755 דּוֹר, דֹּר period, generation, dwelling . period, age, generation, mostly poet.
. of men living at a particular time (period, age), generation, as transitory
. generation characterized by quality or condition, class of men
. dwelling-place, habitation
1755 dowr dore
or (shortened) dor {dore}; from 1752; properly, a revolution
of time, i.e. an age or generation; also a dwelling:--age, X
evermore, generation, (n-)ever, posterity.
see HEBREW for 01752
דּוֹר (dor) — generation.
1) period, generation, habitation, dwelling
1a) period, age, generation (period of time)
1b) generation (those living during a period)
1c) generation (characterised by quality, condition, class of men)
1d) dwelling-place, habitation
Aramaic equivalent: dar (דָּר "generation" H1859)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
jen-er-a'-shun (Latin generatio, from genero, "beget"):
(1) The translation
(a) of dor, "circle," "generation," hence, "age," "period," "cycle": "many generations" (De 32:7);
(b) the people of any particular period or those born about the same time: "Righteous before me in this generation" (Ge 7:1); "four generations" (Job 42:16);
Generation
Gen. 2:4, “These are the generations,” means the “history.” 5:1, “The book of the generations,” means a family register, or history of Adam. 37:2, “The generations of Jacob” = the history of Jacob and his descendants. 7:1, “In this generation” = in this age. Ps. 49:19, “The generation of his fathers” = the dwelling of his fathers, i.e., the grave. Ps. 73:15, “The generation of thy children” = the contemporary race. Isa. 53:8, “Who shall declare his generation?” = His manner of life who shall declare? or rather = His race, posterity, shall be so numerous that no one shall be able to declare it.
In the long-lived patriarchal age a generation seems to have been computed at 100 years, (Genesis 15:16) comp. Genesis15:13 and Eccl 12:40 But subsequently the reckoning was the same which has been adopted by modern civilized nations, viz. from thirty to forty years (Job 42:16) (Generation is also used to signify the men of an age or time, as contemporaries, (Genesis 6:9; Isaiah 53:8) posterity , especially in legal formulae, (Leviticus 3:17) etc.; fathers, or ancestors. (Psalms 49:19)
Besides the common acceptation of this word, as signifying race, descent, lineage, it is used for the history and genealogy of a person, as in Ge 5:1, "the book of the generations of Adam," that is, the history of Adam’s creation and of his posterity. So in Ge 2:4, "The generations of the heavens and of the earth," that is, their genealogy, so to speak, the history of the creation of heaven and earth; also in Mt 1:1, "The book of the generation of Jesus Christ," that is, the genealogy of Jesus Christ," that is, the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the history of his descent and life. "The present generation" comprises all those who are now alive; "This generation shall not pass till all be fulfilled," some now living shall witness the…
טָהוֹר (tahor) means clean or pure, covering physical, ceremonial, and moral senses. It is derived from the root word associated with H2891. The entries emphasize its application in various contexts, including animals and ethical purity.
טָהוֹר adj. clean, pure
base
H2889 טָהוֹר clean, pure
2889 tahowr taw-hore'
or tahor {taw-hore'}; from 2891; pure (in a physical,
chemical, ceremonial or moral sense):--clean, fair,
pure(-ness).
see HEBREW for 02891
טָהוֹר (ta.hor) — pure.
1) pure, clean
1a) clean (ceremonially-of animals)
1b) pure (physically)
1c) pure, clean (morally, ethically)
Adj — AdjHAamsa
The Hebrew word עַ֫יִן (*'ayin*) means 'eye' and can refer to both the physical organ and its figurative uses, such as mental qualities and desires. It also denotes a 'spring' or 'fountain' of water. The entries highlight various phrases and contexts, including appearances and expressions of emotion, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.
עַ֫יִן 859 n.f. eye
lit. as physical organ
eyes as showing mental qualities
desire of the eyes, abominations of the eyes
Fig. of mental and physical faculties, acts and states
Transferred mngs.:
visible surface of earth
appearance
gleam, sparkle
Other phrases are: an eye for an eye; eye to eye; in the presence of, in full view of; of business transaction; on the forehead
base
עַ֫יִן n.f. spring (of water). Particular springs are:
ע׳ חֲרֹר Ju 7:1
ע׳ הַקּוֹרֵא (partridge-spring) Ju 15:19
ע׳ רֹגֵל near Jerus.
ע׳ הַתַּנִּין (dragon-spring)
base
H5869a עַ֫יִן eye . lit. as physical organ
. . eyes as showing mental qualities
. desire of the eyes, abominations of the eyes
. Fig. of mental and physical faculties, acts and states
. Transferred mngs.: . visible surface of earth
. appearance
. gleam, sparkle
. Other phrases are: an eye for an eye; eye to eye; in the presence of, in full view of; of business transaction; on the forehead
H5869b עַ֫יִן spring (of water)
5869 `ayin ah'-yin
probably a primitive word; an eye (literally or
figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the
landscape):--affliction, outward appearance, + before, +
think best, colour, conceit, + be content, countenance, +
displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, + favour,
fountain, furrow (from the margin), X him, + humble,
knowledge, look, (+ well), X me, open(-ly), + (not) please,
presence, + regard, resemblance, sight, X thee, X them, +
think, X us, well, X you(-rselves).
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye.
: eye
1) eye
1a) eye
1a1) of physical eye
1a2) as showing mental qualities
1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — Fountain (Gate).
§ spring, fountain
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — Fountain of.
§ spring, fountain
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: seeing.
: seeing
1) eye
1a) eye
1a1) of physical eye
1a2) as showing mental qualities
1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: appearance.
: appearance
1) eye
1a) eye
1a1) of physical eye
1a2) as showing mental qualities
1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: before(the eyes).
: before(the_eyes)
1) eye
1a) eye
1a1) of physical eye
1a2) as showing mental qualities
1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
עַ֫יִן (a.yin) — eye: sin.
: sin
1) eye
1a) eye
1a1) of physical eye
1a2) as showing mental qualities
Prep | N-cd | Suff — Preposition · noun common feminine dual construct · suffixHR/Ncfdc/Sp3ms
צֹאָה (tsow'ah) means filth or excrement, derived from a related root. It covers terms for dirt and pollution, often used in a figurative sense. The entries consistently emphasize its association with uncleanliness.
צֹאָה n.f. filth
base
H6675 צֹאָה filth
6675 tsow'ah tso-aw'
or tsovah {tso-aw'}: feminine of 6674; excrement; generally,
dirt; figuratively, pollution:--dung, filth(-iness). Marg.
for 2716.
see HEBREW for 06674
see HEBREW for 02716
צֹאָה (tso.ah) — filth.
filth, excrement
Conj | Prep | N-fs | Suff — Conjunction · preposition · noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHC/R/Ncfsc/Sp3ms
לֹא (lo') is a Hebrew word meaning 'not' or 'no.' It serves as a simple negation and can imply absence or prohibition. The word can also be used in various contexts, often combined with other particles for emphasis or clarification. Its Aramaic equivalent is לָא (la), which also means 'not.'
לֹא or לוֹא adv. not
base
H3808 לֹא or לוֹא not
3808 lo' lo
or lowi {lo}; or loh (Deut. 3:11) {lo}; a primitive particle;
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often
used with other particles (as follows):--X before, + or else,
ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never,
no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), (X as though...,(can-), for) not (out
of), of nought, otherwise, out of, + surely, + as truly as, +
of a truth, + verily, for want, + whether, without.
לֹא (lo) — not.
1) not, no
1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition)
1b) not (with modifier-negation)
1c) nothing (subst)
1d) without (with particle)
1e) before (of time)
Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
HTn — ParticleHTn
רָחַץ (rachats) is a Hebrew verb meaning to wash or bathe. It covers various forms of washing, including washing oneself and being washed. The entries indicate its use in different grammatical forms, such as Qal, Pual, and Hithpael, which reflect actions of washing and being washed. The lexicons do not present any significant disagreement.
רָחַץ 72 vb. wash, wash off, away, bathe
Qal 69
trans. wash (with water)
intrans. wash, bathe (oneself)
Pu. be washed
Hithp. if I washed myself in snow
base
H7364 רָחַץ wash, wash off, away, bathe
7364 rachats raw-khats'
a primitive root; to lave (the whole or a part of a
thing):--bathe (self), wash (self).
רָחַץ (ra.chats) — to wash: wash.
: wash
1) to wash, wash off, wash away, bathe
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to wash, wash off, wash away
1a2) to wash, bathe (oneself)
1b) (Pual) to be washed
1c) (Hithpael) to wash oneself
2a) (Hithpael Passive) to be regarded clean, trustworthy
V-Pual-Perf-3ms — Verb · Pual · perfect third person masculine singularHVPp3ms