What Does Proverbs 25:6 Mean in the King James?

Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:

Proverbs 25:6 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

“Put forth thyself” comes from the root for splendor and honoring, so the verse turns on who confers honor: the self or another.

THE MEANING

Your place before authority is not secured by making yourself prominent. The verse exposes self-claimed rank as different from honor that another recognizes and gives.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

It undoes the belief that standing among the great requires claiming distinction for yourself first.

THE ROOT

תִּתְהַדַּר

tithaddar

GROWS FROM

הדר

hadar

To honor, adorn, or display splendor.

“put forth thyself” in this verse is tithaddar. The verb is reflexive: you are making yourself appear splendid or worthy of honor. The same root can name splendor and the act of honoring another, revealing the difference between possessing dignity and claiming recognition for yourself.

ALSO GROWS

hadar: Splendor or majesty.

הָדָר

This noun shows that the verse’s warning is about displaying splendor for yourself, not about splendor itself.

vehadarta: You shall honor.

וְהָדַרְתָּ

This form in Leviticus 19:32 directs honor toward another, bringing out the contrast between honoring someone and exalting yourself.

THE PATTERN

A place of distinction is received through another’s recognition, not installed by self-claim.

Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.

Proverbs 27:2 · KJVPraise is shown as something another gives, rather than something the self announces.

And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Matthew 23:12 · KJVThe verse describes self-exaltation as a claim that does not secure lasting elevation.

But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.

Luke 14:10 · KJVThe honored place comes through the host’s invitation, not through taking it for yourself.

THE THREAD

Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the LORD.

Leviticus 19:32 · KJV

“Put forth thyself” and “honour” share the Hebrew root ⁨הדר⁩ (hadar), meaning to honor or display splendor. Here the same root turns outward: honor is given to another, rather than claimed for oneself.

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