Haughty eyes
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. Proverbs 6:16-17 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 (Philippians 2:5-8).

and a proud heart
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 Isaiah 14:12-15, 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.

the guides of the wicked
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. Psalm 10:4 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.

are sin
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. Romans 3:23 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 (Matthew 5:3).

Persons / Places / Events

1. Solomon
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.

2. The Wicked
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.

3. Ancient Israel
The cultural and historical backdrop of Proverbs, where wisdom literature was a key component of teaching and moral instruction.

Teaching Points

The Sin of Pride
Pride is not just an attitude but a sin that leads to further wickedness. It blinds individuals to their need for God and others.

The Heart's Condition
The "proud heart" mentioned in Proverbs 21:4 indicates that sin begins internally. Believers must guard their hearts against prideful thoughts and attitudes.

Eyes as Windows
"Haughty eyes" suggest that pride is often visible in our demeanor and actions. We must be mindful of how our attitudes are reflected outwardly.

Guidance and Influence
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.

Humility as a Virtue
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.

Bible Study Questions and Answers

1. What is the meaning of Proverbs 21:4?2. How does Proverbs 21:4 define "haughty eyes" and "a proud heart"? 3. Why are "haughty eyes" and "a proud heart" considered sinful in Proverbs? 4. How can we guard against pride as warned in Proverbs 21:4? 5. What other scriptures warn against pride and its consequences? 6. How can humility be cultivated to align with Proverbs 21:4's teachings?7. What does Proverbs 21:4 mean by "haughty eyes and a proud heart" being sinful?8. How does Proverbs 21:4 challenge the concept of pride in modern society?9. Why does Proverbs 21:4 equate "the lamp of the wicked" with sin?10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 21?11. What are the seven things God hates?12. 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)?13. In Psalm 94:9, it says God hears and sees all; why then do injustices appear to persist unchecked in our world?14. What does the Bible say about pride?

What Does Proverbs 21:4 Mean

Haughty eyes

- The verse begins by targeting the outward display of arrogance: “haughty eyes.” God consistently names this as something He hates (Proverbs 6:16–17). When someone’s gaze looks down on others, it exposes the deeper pride that drives every other sinful posture (Psalm 101:5; Isaiah 2:11).

- Such a look is more than bad manners; it signals a heart unwilling to submit to God’s authority or value fellow image-bearers.

Proud heart

- Scripture moves from the visible to the invisible. A “proud heart” is the inner engine behind the haughty look (Proverbs 16:5). This inward elevation of self resists grace, because “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5).

- Pride blinds us to our need for repentance and pushes us to trust in our own wisdom rather than leaning on the Lord (Proverbs 3:5–7).

The guides of the wicked

- The calls these attitudes “the guides of the wicked.” They function like an internal compass, steering a person’s decisions, priorities, and values. Jesus warned that “if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness” (Matthew 6:23), showing how a distorted inner light can mislead the entire life.

- When pride becomes a guide, it dulls the conscience (Ephesians 4:18–19) and replaces God’s wisdom with self-made schemes (Romans 1:21).

Are sin

- The verse ends bluntly: these attitudes “are sin.” They are not neutral character traits or minor flaws; they violate God’s standard and incur guilt (1 John 3:4).

- Because “even the scheming of folly is sin” (Proverbs 24:9), repentance must reach the level of motive and desire, not just outward behavior. Anything born of pride, rather than faith, “is sin” (Romans 14:23).

- The gospel supplies the only remedy: Christ’s humility (Philippians 2:5–8) and the Spirit’s transforming power, producing the fruit of a humble heart (Galatians 5:22–23).

summary

Proverbs 21:4 links the visible scorn of “haughty eyes,” the hidden arrogance of a “proud heart,” and their role as the internal “guides” that direct the wicked, declaring the whole package to be outright sin. God exposes and condemns pride at every level, calling us instead to humble dependence on Him, where true wisdom and righteousness are found.

(4) The plowing of the wicked.--i.e., 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 Proverbs 13:23, where it is rendered "tillage." It may also signify "lamp" (see above on 13:9).

Verse 4. - An high look and a proud heart; Vulgate, exaltatio oculorum est dilatatio cordis, "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 Proverbs 6:17 (where see note); and in Proverbs 30:13 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 (κεηαλόφρων) is stout-hearted in his pride." And the ploughing of the wicked is sin. The Authorized Version takes the reading נִר (nir), which means "tillage' (Proverbs 13:23), or, as Delitzsch supposes, "land ploughed for the first time" (novale). 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. Proverbs 13:9; Proverbs 24:20) meaning. נֵר (ner) signifies "a lamp." Thus the Vulgate, Lucerna impiorum peccatum, "The lamp of the wicked is sin;" and the Septuagint, Λαμπτὴρ δὲ ἀσεβῶν ἁμαρτία "Lamp" is, as often, a metaphor for prosperity and happiness (comp. 2 Samuel 22:29; 1 Kings 11:36); 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. Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Haughty
רוּם־ (rūm-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7311: To be high actively, to rise, raise

eyes
עֵ֭ינַיִם (‘ê·na·yim)
Noun - cd
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain

and a proud
וּרְחַב־ (ū·rə·ḥaḇ-)
Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7342: Wide, broad

heart—
לֵ֑ב (lêḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre

the guides
נִ֖ר (nir)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5215: Plowing, freshly plowed land

of the wicked—
רְשָׁעִ֣ים (rə·šā·‘îm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 7563: Wrong, an, bad person

[are] sin.
חַטָּֽאת׃ (ḥaṭ·ṭāṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2403: An offence, its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, expiation, an offender

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