Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.
Otherwise, if I have too much, I might reject you and say, 'Who is the LORD?' Or if I become poor, I might steal and dishonor the name of my God.
The writer is asking God to protect him from both wealth and poverty because either extreme could lead him away from faithfulness to God.
📚 Historical Context
Proverbs 30 is part of the Wisdom Literature in the Old Testament, attributed to Agur, an ancient Israelite sage who offers prayers and proverbs for living wisely under God's guidance. In this verse, Agur prays for neither extreme wealth nor poverty, fearing that abundance might lead to pride and denial of God, while hardship could drive one to steal and dishonor God's name, reflecting the cultural emphasis in ancient Israel on maintaining spiritual integrity amid material challenges. This highlights the broader biblical theme of seeking balance to honor God in everyday life.
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