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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/proverbs/21.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/proverbs/21.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the unplowed field of the wicked—produce sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/21.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Haughty eyes, a proud heart, and evil actions are all sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/21.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/21.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Haughty eyes and a proud heart—the guides of the wicked—are sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/21.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />An high look, and a proud heart, <i>and</i> the plowing of the wicked, <i>is</i> sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/21.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />A haughty look, a proud heart, <i>And</i> the plowing of the wicked <i>are</i> sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/21.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Haughty eyes and a proud heart, The lamp of the wicked, is sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/21.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Haughty eyes and a proud heart, The lamp of the wicked, is sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/21.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Haughty eyes and a proud heart, The lamp of the wicked, is sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/21.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Haughty eyes and a proud heart— The fallow ground of the wicked—are sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/21.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Haughty <i>and</i> arrogant eyes and a proud heart, The lamp of the wicked [their self-centered pride], is sin [in the eyes of God].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/21.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The lamp that guides the wicked — haughty eyes and an arrogant heart —is sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/21.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The lamp that guides the wicked— haughty eyes and an arrogant heart—is sin. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/21.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />A high look, and a proud heart, Even the lamp of the wicked, is sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/21.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Evil people are proud and arrogant, but sin is the only crop they produce. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/21.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />An high look, and a proud heart, even the lamp of the wicked, is sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/21.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />A conceited look and an arrogant attitude, which are the lamps of wicked people, are sins.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/21.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Wicked people are controlled by their conceit and arrogance, and this is sinful. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/21.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />A proud attitude, accompanied by a haughty look, is sin; they reveal wicked people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/21.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Haughty eyes and a proud heart?the guides of the wicked?are sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/21.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Haughty eyes and a proud heart--the agricultural product of the wicked is sin. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/21.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />A high look, and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/21.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />A high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/21.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />A high look and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, is sin. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/21.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Loftiness of eyes, and breadth of heart, "" Tillage of the wicked [is] sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/21.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Loftiness of eyes, and breadth of heart, Tillage of the wicked is sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/21.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Lifting up the eyes and enlarging the heart, the light of the unjust is sin.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/21.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Haughtiness of the eyes is the enlarging of the heart: the lamp of the wicked is sin. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/21.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />To lift up the eyes is to enlarge the heart. The lamp of the impious is sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/21.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the lamp of the wicked will fail. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/21.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the lamp of the wicked—are sin.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/21.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Haughty eyes, a proud heart, and the posterity of the wicked are sinful.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/21.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />The pride of the eyes and the spirit of the heart and the lamp of the evil is sin.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/21.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />A haughty look, and a proud heart-- The tillage of the wicked is sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/21.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />A high-minded man is stout-hearted in <i>his</i> pride; and the lamp of the wicked is sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/21-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=4171" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/21.htm">The King's Heart</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">3</span>To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice. <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7312.htm" title="7312: rūm- (N-msc) -- Height, haughtiness. Or rum; from ruwm; elevation or elation.">Haughty</a> <a href="/hebrew/5869.htm" title="5869: ‘ê·na·yim (N-cd) -- An eye. Probably a primitive word; an eye; by analogy, a fountain.">eyes</a> <a href="/hebrew/7342.htm" title="7342: ū·rə·ḥaḇ- (Conj-w:: Adj-msc) -- Wide, broad. From rachab; roomy, in any direction, literally or figuratively.">and a proud</a> <a href="/hebrew/3820.htm" title="3820: lêḇ (N-ms) -- A form of lebab; the heart; also used very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything.">heart—</a> <a href="/hebrew/5216.htm" title="5216: nir (N-msc) -- A lamp. Or nir; also neyr; or ner; or nerah; from a primitive root properly, meaning to glisten; a lamp or light.">the guides</a> <a href="/hebrew/7563.htm" title="7563: rə·šā·‘îm (Adj-mp) -- Wicked, criminal. From rasha'; morally wrong; concretely, an bad person.">of the wicked—</a> <a href="/hebrew/2403.htm" title="2403: ḥaṭ·ṭāṯ (N-fs) -- Or chattacth; from chata'; an offence, and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also an offender.">are sin.</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/4-6.htm">James 4:6</a></span><br />But He gives us more grace. This is why it says: “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/5-5.htm">1 Peter 5:5</a></span><br />Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/2-11.htm">Isaiah 2:11-12</a></span><br />The proud look of man will be humbled, and the loftiness of men brought low; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day. / For the Day of the LORD of Hosts will come against all the proud and lofty, against all that is exalted—it will be humbled—<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/18-14.htm">Luke 18:14</a></span><br />I tell you, this man, rather than the Pharisee, went home justified. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-16.htm">Romans 12:16</a></span><br />Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but associate with the lowly. Do not be conceited.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/2-16.htm">1 John 2:16</a></span><br />For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/philippians/2-3.htm">Philippians 2:3</a></span><br />Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-12.htm">Matthew 23:12</a></span><br />For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/13-4.htm">1 Corinthians 13:4</a></span><br />Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/5-26.htm">Galatians 5:26</a></span><br />Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying one another.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/5-15.htm">Isaiah 5:15</a></span><br />So mankind will be brought low, and each man humbled; the arrogant will lower their eyes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/9-23.htm">Jeremiah 9:23-24</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches. / But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, who exercises loving devotion, justice and righteousness on the earth—for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/28-17.htm">Ezekiel 28:17</a></span><br />Your heart grew proud of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom because of your splendor; so I cast you to the earth; I made you a spectacle before kings.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/obadiah/1-3.htm">Obadiah 1:3-4</a></span><br />The pride of your heart has deceived you, O dwellers in the clefts of the rocks whose habitation is the heights, who say in your heart, ‘Who can bring me down to the ground?’ / Though you soar like the eagle and make your nest among the stars, even from there I will bring you down,” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/101-5.htm">Psalm 101:5</a></span><br />Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret, I will put to silence; the one with haughty eyes and a proud heart, I will not endure.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin.</p><p class="hdg">an high look or haughtiness of eyes</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/6-17.htm">Proverbs 6:17</a></b></br> A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/8-13.htm">Proverbs 8:13</a></b></br> The fear of the LORD <i>is</i> to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/30-13.htm">Proverbs 30:13</a></b></br> <i>There is</i> a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.</p><p class="hdg">and the</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/21-27.htm">Proverbs 21:27</a></b></br> The sacrifice of the wicked <i>is</i> abomination: how much more, <i>when</i> he bringeth it with a wicked mind?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/15-8.htm">Proverbs 15:8</a></b></br> The sacrifice of the wicked <i>is</i> an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright <i>is</i> his delight.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/romans/14-23.htm">Romans 14:23</a></b></br> And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because <i>he eateth</i> not of faith: for whatsoever <i>is</i> not of faith is sin.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/38-18.htm">Breadth</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-5.htm">Evil-Doer</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-2.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-12.htm">Haughty</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-2.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-12.htm">High</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-27.htm">Lamp</a> <a href="/job/1-14.htm">Plowing</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-14.htm">Pride</a> <a href="/proverbs/18-12.htm">Proud</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-11.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-23.htm">Tillage</a> <a href="/proverbs/20-26.htm">Wicked</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/isaiah/8-8.htm">Breadth</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-10.htm">Evil-Doer</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-10.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-24.htm">Haughty</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-8.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-34.htm">High</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-20.htm">Lamp</a> <a href="/isaiah/28-24.htm">Plowing</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-11.htm">Pride</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-24.htm">Proud</a> <a href="/proverbs/24-9.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/jeremiah/4-3.htm">Tillage</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-7.htm">Wicked</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 21</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/21-1.htm">The king's heart in the hand of the Lord</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/21.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/proverbs/21.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Haughty eyes</b><br>Haughty eyes refer to a demeanor of arrogance and pride, often characterized by looking down on others. In biblical context, this is frequently condemned as it reflects a heart that is not aligned with God's humility. <a href="/proverbs/6-16.htm">Proverbs 6:16-17</a> lists "haughty eyes" as one of the seven things the Lord detests. This phrase suggests a visible manifestation of inner pride, which is contrary to the humility exemplified by Jesus Christ, who, despite His divine nature, humbled Himself (<a href="/philippians/2-5.htm">Philippians 2:5-8</a>).<p><b>and a proud heart</b><br>A proud heart indicates an internal attitude of self-exaltation and self-reliance, which is often in opposition to the biblical call for dependence on God. Throughout Scripture, pride is depicted as a root of sin, leading to rebellion against God. In <a href="/isaiah/14-12.htm">Isaiah 14:12-15</a>, the fall of Lucifer is attributed to pride, serving as a warning of its destructive power. The heart, in biblical terms, is the center of one's being, encompassing thoughts, emotions, and will, and a proud heart is thus a fundamental misalignment with God's will.<p><b>the guides of the wicked</b><br>The guides of the wicked suggest that pride and arrogance direct the actions and decisions of those who are not following God's ways. In biblical history, the wicked are often those who reject God's commandments and pursue their own desires. This phrase implies that pride leads to a path of moral and spiritual corruption. <a href="/psalms/10-4.htm">Psalm 10:4</a> states that in his pride, the wicked man does not seek God; in all his thoughts, there is no room for Him. This highlights the spiritual blindness that pride can cause.<p><b>are sin</b><br>The declaration that these attitudes are sin underscores the seriousness with which God views pride and arrogance. Sin, in biblical terms, is any action, thought, or attitude that falls short of God's holiness and righteousness. <a href="/romans/3-23.htm">Romans 3:23</a> reminds us that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, emphasizing the universal need for redemption. The identification of pride as sin aligns with the broader biblical narrative that calls for repentance and humility before God, as seen in the teachings of Jesus, who calls the humble blessed (<a href="/matthew/5-3.htm">Matthew 5:3</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>Traditionally considered the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. His writings often focus on the contrast between wisdom and folly, righteousness and wickedness.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_wicked.htm">The Wicked</a></b><br>In the context of Proverbs, the wicked are those who live in opposition to God's ways, often characterized by pride, deceit, and rebellion against divine instruction.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/a/ancient_israel.htm">Ancient Israel</a></b><br>The cultural and historical backdrop of Proverbs, where wisdom literature was a key component of teaching and moral instruction.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_sin_of_pride.htm">The Sin of Pride</a></b><br>Pride is not just an attitude but a sin that leads to further wickedness. It blinds individuals to their need for God and others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_heart's_condition.htm">The Heart's Condition</a></b><br>The "proud heart" mentioned in <a href="/proverbs/21-4.htm">Proverbs 21:4</a> indicates that sin begins internally. Believers must guard their hearts against prideful thoughts and attitudes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/eyes_as_windows.htm">Eyes as Windows</a></b><br>"Haughty eyes" suggest that pride is often visible in our demeanor and actions. We must be mindful of how our attitudes are reflected outwardly.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/guidance_and_influence.htm">Guidance and Influence</a></b><br>The verse describes pride as a "guide" for the wicked, implying that pride leads to further sinful behavior. Believers should seek guidance from the Holy Spirit rather than their own prideful inclinations.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/humility_as_a_virtue.htm">Humility as a Virtue</a></b><br>In contrast to pride, humility is a virtue that aligns with God's character. Cultivating humility opens the door to God's grace and wisdom.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_21.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 21</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_are_the_seven_things_god_hates.htm">What are the seven things God hates?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_proverbs_12_4_with_exodus_21.htm">Proverbs 12:4 extols a virtuous wife, but how can we reconcile this with other biblical passages portraying women as subordinate or property (e.g., Exodus 21)?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_god_allow_injustice_to_persist.htm">In Psalm 94:9, it says God hears and sees all; why then do injustices appear to persist unchecked in our world?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_about_pride.htm">What does the Bible say about pride?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/21.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) <span class= "bld">The plowing of the wicked.--</span><span class= "ital">i.e.</span>, their work, all they do; for it is not done to please God but themselves; nor carried on in His strength, but in reliance upon their own, and therefore it is "sin," not pleasing to Him. For the word here translated "plowing," see above on <a href="/proverbs/13-23.htm" title="Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.">Proverbs 13:23</a>, where it is rendered "tillage." It may also signify "lamp<span class= "ital">" </span>(see above on 13:9).<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/21.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">An high look and a proud heart;</span> Vulgate, <span class="accented">exaltatio oculorum est dilatatio cordis</span>, "The lifting up of the eyes is a swelling of the heart." But it is best to make the whole verse one idea, as in the Authorized Version. The lifting of the eyes is a term implying pride, as shown in supercilious looks, as if other people were of inferior clay and not worthy of notice. So we have "haughty eyes" in <a href="/proverbs/6-17.htm">Proverbs 6:17</a> (where see note); and in <a href="/proverbs/30-13.htm">Proverbs 30:13</a> we read, "There is a generation, oh how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up." "The enlargement of the heart" is the cause of the proud look, for it signifies the evil affections and concupiscence of the will, wholly filled up with self, and controlling the actions and expression of the body. Septuagint, "A high-minded man (<span class="greek">κεηαλόφρων</span>) is stout-hearted in his pride." <span class="cmt_word">And the ploughing of the wicked is sin.</span> The Authorized Version takes the reading <span class="hebrew">נִר</span> (<span class="accented">nir</span>), which means "tillage' (<a href="/proverbs/13-23.htm">Proverbs 13:23</a>), or, as Delitzsch supposes, "land ploughed for the first time" (<span class="accented">novale</span>). The proverb, taken thus, will mean, "high look, proud heart, even all the field which the godless cultivate, all that they do, is sin." "Pride," says the Talmud, "is worse than sin." But another pointing gives a different and very appropriate (comp. <a href="/proverbs/13-9.htm">Proverbs 13:9</a>; <a href="/proverbs/24-20.htm">Proverbs 24:20</a>) meaning. <span class="hebrew">נֵר</span> (<span class="accented">ner</span>) signifies "a lamp." Thus the Vulgate, <span class="accented">Lucerna impiorum peccatum</span>, "The lamp of the wicked is sin;" and the Septuagint, <span class="greek">Λαμπτὴρ δὲ ἀσεβῶν ἁμαρτία</span> "Lamp" is, as often, a metaphor for prosperity and happiness (comp. <a href="/2_samuel/22-29.htm">2 Samuel 22:29</a>; <a href="/1_kings/11-36.htm">1 Kings 11:36</a>); and it is here said that the sinner's outward prosperity and joyousness, springing from no good source, being founded in self, and not resting on virtue and godliness, are in themselves sinful and displeasing to God. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/21-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Haughty</span><br /><span class="heb">רוּם־</span> <span class="translit">(rūm-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7311.htm">Strong's 7311: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be high actively, to rise, raise</span><br /><br /><span class="word">eyes</span><br /><span class="heb">עֵ֭ינַיִם</span> <span class="translit">(‘ê·na·yim)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - cd<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5869.htm">Strong's 5869: </a> </span><span class="str2">An eye, a fountain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and a proud</span><br /><span class="heb">וּרְחַב־</span> <span class="translit">(ū·rə·ḥaḇ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7342.htm">Strong's 7342: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wide, broad</span><br /><br /><span class="word">heart—</span><br /><span class="heb">לֵ֑ב</span> <span class="translit">(lêḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3820.htm">Strong's 3820: </a> </span><span class="str2">The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the guides</span><br /><span class="heb">נִ֖ר</span> <span class="translit">(nir)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5215.htm">Strong's 5215: </a> </span><span class="str2">Plowing, freshly plowed land</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the wicked—</span><br /><span class="heb">רְשָׁעִ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(rə·šā·‘îm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7563.htm">Strong's 7563: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wrong, an, bad person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[are] sin.</span><br /><span class="heb">חַטָּֽאת׃</span> <span class="translit">(ḥaṭ·ṭāṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2403.htm">Strong's 2403: </a> </span><span class="str2">An offence, its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, expiation, an offender</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/21-4.htm">Proverbs 21:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/21-4.htm">Proverbs 21:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/21-4.htm">Proverbs 21:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/21-4.htm">Proverbs 21:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/21-4.htm">Proverbs 21:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/21-4.htm">Proverbs 21:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/21-4.htm">Proverbs 21:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/21-4.htm">Proverbs 21:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/21-4.htm">Proverbs 21:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/21-4.htm">Proverbs 21:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/21-4.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 21:4 A high look and a proud heart (Prov. 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