KJV ORIGINAL
For a servant when he reigneth; and a fool when he is filled with meat;
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
A servant who becomes a ruler, and a fool who has plenty of food
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
The writer is describing situations where people who lack wisdom or maturity suddenly gain power or abundance, which can lead to trouble.
📚 Historical Context
This verse is part of Agur's wisdom sayings in Proverbs 30, where he lists things that cause upheaval and instability in society. In ancient times, social mobility was rare, so when servants suddenly gained power or when foolish people became wealthy, it often led to poor decisions and social disruption because they lacked the wisdom and experience to handle their new circumstances well.
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