· Translation: KJV

Proverbs 30:13There is a generation, oh how lofty are their eyes! Their eyelids are lifted up.

The setting

Ancient Israel, ~700 BC. Agur watches the wealthy and powerful with their haughty expressions...

The emotion here: disgusted by the visible display of human superiority

The original word

rum (רום) — lifted up, exalted, but here describing physical arrogance in facial expression

Why it matters

Ancient Near Eastern art shows rulers with deliberately raised chins to display superiority

Read with care

What most readers miss in Proverbs 30:13

This describes literal body language — people who physically hold their heads high in arrogance

Common misconceptionPeople think this is about feeling superior internally, but Agur is describing people who literally carry themselves with visible arrogance and disdain.

Bible Genome reading

Proverbs 30:13 — Bible Genome reading

SpeakerAgur
EraUnited Kingdom
Primary emotionangry
Literary typewisdom

Emotional genome

Comfort power20%
Quotability70%
Memorability70%
Crisis relevance30%
Standalone80%
Themes:pridearrogance

In context

No verse stands alone.

Read the conversation around it.

Open Proverbs 30

Proverbs 30:13 comes from the book of Proverbs, written during the United Kingdom period. These words are attributed to Agur. The dominant emotion in this verse is angry, with a comfort power of 20% and a tone that is commanding. It belongs to the wisdom genre of biblical literature. Key themes include pride, arrogance. Notable phrases: lofty eyes; generation.

Your reflection

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