What Does Proverbs 3:34 Mean in the King James?
Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.
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
The Hebrew repeats לוץ (luts, “scorn”) in both “scorneth” and “scorners,” so the posture meets its own echo while favor is given to the lowly.
THE MEANING
The verse speaks to you now: scorn meets its own measure, while favor is given to the lowly. Lowliness here carries the sense of being bowed down or afflicted, not being worthless.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The belief that contempt makes you untouchable is undone here: scorn meets opposition, while the lowly receive favor.
THE ROOT
לוץ
luts
GROWS FROM
לוץ
to scoff or mock
“scorneth / scorners” in this verse is luts. The verb and noun share the same root: the scorner and the act of scorn carry one seed. The Hebrew makes the scorner’s posture audible in the action itself, so the scorn meets its own echo.
ALSO GROWS
lets: scoffer
לֵץ
The noun names the person whose posture the verse says is met with scorn.
latson: mockery, scorn
לָצוֹן
This names the scorn itself, joining the person who scorns to the action in the verse.
עֲנָוִים
anawim
GROWS FROM
ענה
to be bowed down, humbled, or afflicted
Anawim can name the humble and the afflicted, the ones who have been brought low. Its related words keep humility connected to vulnerability, placing favor with those who are lowly rather than self-exalting.
ALSO GROWS
ʿani: poor, afflicted
עָנִי
This related word shows the vulnerability carried by the lowly in the verse.
ʿanavah: humility, meekness
עֲנָוָה
This names the humble posture associated with the anawim.
חֵן
chen
GROWS FROM
חנן
to show favor or act graciously
“grace” in this verse is chen. Chen means favor, something the verse says is given. Its root connects that gift to the act of showing favor: the lowly receive a relationship of favor, not a status they have to claim.
ALSO GROWS
chanan: to show favor, be gracious
חָנַן
The verb names the act behind the favor given in the verse.
chanun: gracious, favorable
חַנּוּן
This related form describes the one who shows favor.
THE PATTERN
Scorn and pride meet resistance, while the lowly are met with favor.
Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.THE THREAD
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;The “meek” here are עֲנָוִים (anawim), the same Hebrew word translated “lowly” in Proverbs 3:34. Isaiah directs good news to those bowed down, showing where the verse’s favor lands.
Read the SDV Bible.
Every verse has a Deep Dive in the app.
The iPhone Bible app with the Selah Decoded Version.
Does something in this reading look wrong? Tell us