Keep falsehood and deceitful words far from me.
This phrase reflects a plea for integrity and truthfulness, emphasizing the importance of honesty in one's life. In biblical context, falsehood and deceit are often associated with sin and separation from God. Proverbs frequently contrasts the righteous and the wicked, with the former characterized by truth and the latter by lies (Proverbs 12:22). The request to keep deceit far away aligns with the biblical call to live a life of righteousness and truth, as seen in Ephesians 4:25, which urges believers to put away falsehood and speak truthfully. This plea can also be seen as a desire for divine protection against the deceit of others, as well as a personal commitment to avoid engaging in deceitful practices.

Give me neither poverty nor riches;
This request for moderation reflects a desire for balance and contentment, avoiding the extremes of wealth and poverty. In the historical and cultural context of ancient Israel, wealth was often seen as a sign of God's blessing, while poverty could be viewed as a curse or result of sin. However, this proverb acknowledges the potential spiritual dangers associated with both extremes. Riches can lead to pride and self-reliance, as warned in Deuteronomy 8:11-14, while poverty can lead to desperation and temptation to sin. The prayer for neither poverty nor riches echoes the sentiment found in 1 Timothy 6:6-10, which warns against the love of money and advocates for godliness with contentment.

Feed me with the bread that is my portion.
This phrase expresses a desire for sufficiency and reliance on God's provision. The imagery of "bread" as sustenance is prevalent throughout Scripture, symbolizing God's provision for His people, as seen in the manna provided to the Israelites in the wilderness (Exodus 16). The request for "my portion" suggests a personalized provision, indicating trust in God's knowledge of what is best for each individual. This aligns with Jesus' teaching in the Lord's Prayer, where He instructs His followers to pray for their "daily bread" (Matthew 6:11), emphasizing dependence on God for daily needs. The concept of God as the provider of one's portion is also reflected in Psalm 16:5, where the psalmist declares the Lord as his chosen portion and cup.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Agur
The author of Proverbs 30, Agur son of Jakeh, is a figure about whom little is known. His words reflect a deep humility and reliance on God.

2. Israel
The cultural and religious context of Israel provides the backdrop for understanding the wisdom literature, including Proverbs.

3. Wisdom Literature
Proverbs is part of the wisdom literature in the Bible, which includes practical teachings for living a life that honors God.

Teaching Points

Avoiding Deception
The prayer to keep falsehood and deceitful words far away highlights the importance of integrity and truthfulness in our lives.

Contentment with Provision
Seeking neither poverty nor riches encourages a heart of contentment, trusting God to provide what is necessary for our needs.

Dependence on God
The request for "the bread that is my portion" reflects a dependence on God for daily sustenance, reminding us to rely on Him rather than our own understanding or efforts.

Balance in Life
The balance between poverty and riches suggests a life of moderation, avoiding the extremes that can lead to spiritual pitfalls.

Prayerful Attitude
This verse encourages a prayerful attitude, seeking God's wisdom and provision in all aspects of life.

Bible Study Questions and Answers

1. What is the meaning of Proverbs 30:8?2. How can we apply "give me neither poverty nor riches" in daily life?3. What does "feed me with the bread of my portion" teach about contentment?4. How does Proverbs 30:8 relate to Jesus' teachings on material wealth?5. Why is balance between poverty and riches important for spiritual well-being?6. How can we cultivate reliance on God as described in Proverbs 30:8?7. What does Proverbs 30:8 mean by "falsehood and lies" in a modern context?8. How does Proverbs 30:8 challenge the prosperity gospel?9. Why does Proverbs 30:8 emphasize "neither poverty nor riches"?10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 30?11. Can I have balance instead of poverty or riches?12. What is the Bible's stance on honesty?13. Is it sinful to lie?14. Deuteronomy 32:15’s reference to Israel “growing fat” before abandoning God—does this correspond with any documented economic or agricultural boom in the region?

What Does Proverbs 30:8 Mean

Keep falsehood and deceitful words far from me

The verse opens with a plea for integrity. The writer is asking God to create distance between himself and every form of dishonesty.

• Truth safeguards fellowship with God. Proverbs 4:24 says, “Put away deception from your mouth; keep your lips from perverse speech”.

• Lying aligns a person with the enemy of souls. Jesus reminds us that Satan is “a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44).

• Walking in truth unites believers. Ephesians 4:25 urges, “Put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor”.

• Personal integrity flows from God’s Word. “Remove me from the path of deceit; graciously grant me Your law” (Psalm 119:29).

Choosing truth is the first safeguard in the prayer, because every other request rests on a heart committed to honesty before God and people.

Give me neither poverty nor riches

Having settled the matter of truth, the writer turns to his material circumstances, asking for protection from both extremes.

Danger of poverty

• Desperation may lead to theft or dishonor (see the next verse, Proverbs 30:9).

• Pressure can choke out joy and confidence (Psalm 37:25).

Danger of riches

• Wealth tempts toward self-reliance: “You may say in your heart, ‘My power and the strength of my hand have made this wealth for me’ ” (Deuteronomy 8:17).

• Riches can pierce with many griefs. “Those who want to be rich fall into temptation… many foolish and harmful desires” (1 Timothy 6:9-10).

• Earthly abundance is fleeting: “The rich man will pass away like the flower of the field” (James 1:10).

By refusing both extremes, the writer seeks the narrow path of contented dependence—prosperity that never displaces God, and hardship that never provokes sin.

Feed me with the bread that is my portion

The prayer now focuses on daily provision—just enough, never too little, never too much.

• Echoes of manna. God told Israel, “I will rain down bread from heaven… each day the people are to go out and gather enough for that day” (Exodus 16:4).

• Jesus taught the same principle: “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11).

• Contentment is godly gain. “If we have food and clothing, we will be content with these” (1 Timothy 6:8).

• Receiving “my” portion recognizes divine sovereignty. What God assigns is both sufficient and best (Psalm 16:5-6).

Daily bread draws the heart to continual trust, freeing the believer from anxiety about tomorrow and from the pride that clings to surplus.

summary

Proverbs 30:8 is a three-fold prayer for a life that honors God: a tongue guarded from lies, a wallet protected from extremes, and a table supplied with just-right daily bread. Truthfulness, balanced provision, and contentment together nurture humble dependence on the Lord and keep the believer walking in wholehearted devotion.

(8) Vanity.--Falsehood either towards God or man.

Food convenient for me.--Literally, bread of my portion, such as is apportioned to me as suitable by the care of the heavenly Father. Comp. "daily bread" (Matthew 6:11) in the sense of "proper for our sustenance."

Verse 8. - Here is the first request: Remove far from me vanity and lies. Shay, "vanity," is inward hollowness and worthlessness, and "lies" are the expression of this in words. The prayer might indeed be taken as an entreaty against being polluted with the companionship of the evil, like "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil;" but it is best taken subjectively, as a supplication for personal truthfulness and sincerity in all relations both towards God and man. Give me neither poverty nor riches. Both extremes are deprecated: the mean is the safest and the happiest, Horace, 'Carm.,' 3:16. 424

Hebrew

Keep falsehood
שָׁ֤וְא ׀ (šāw)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7723: Evil, idolatry, uselessness

and deceitful
כָּזָ֡ב (kā·zāḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3577: A lie, falsehood, deceptive thing

words
וּֽדְבַר־ (ū·ḏə·ḇar-)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause

far
הַרְחֵ֬ק (har·ḥêq)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 7368: To be or become far or distant

from me.
מִמֶּ֗נִּי (mim·men·nî)
Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's 4480: A part of, from, out of

Give me
תִּֽתֶּן־ (tit·ten-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

neither
אַל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong's 408: Not

poverty
רֵ֣אשׁ (rêš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7389: Poverty

nor riches;
וָ֭עֹשֶׁר (wā·‘ō·šer)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6239: Wealth

feed me
הַ֝טְרִיפֵ֗נִי (haṭ·rî·p̄ê·nî)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular | first person common singular
Strong's 2963: To pluck off, pull to pieces, to supply with food

with the bread
לֶ֣חֶם (le·ḥem)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3899: Food, bread, grain

that is my portion.
חֻקִּֽי׃ (ḥuq·qî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 2706: Something prescribed or owed, a statute

Links

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Proverbs 30:8 Catholic BibleOT Poetry: Proverbs 30:8 Remove far from me falsehood and lies (Prov. Pro Pr)