Proverbs 21:30
New International Version
There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD.

New Living Translation
No human wisdom or understanding or plan can stand against the LORD.

English Standard Version
No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the LORD.

Berean Standard Bible
There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.

King James Bible
There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.

New King James Version
There is no wisdom or understanding Or counsel against the LORD.

New American Standard Bible
There is no wisdom, no understanding, And no plan against the LORD.

NASB 1995
There is no wisdom and no understanding And no counsel against the LORD.

NASB 1977
There is no wisdom and no understanding And no counsel against the LORD.

Legacy Standard Bible
There is no wisdom, there is no discernment And there is no counsel against Yahweh.

Amplified Bible
There is no [human] wisdom or understanding Or counsel [that can prevail] against the LORD.

Christian Standard Bible
No wisdom, no understanding, and no counsel will prevail against the LORD.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
No wisdom, no understanding, and no counsel will prevail against the LORD.

American Standard Version
There is no wisdom nor understanding Nor counsel against Jehovah.

Contemporary English Version
No matter how much you know or what plans you make, you can't defeat the LORD.

English Revised Version
There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
No wisdom, no understanding, and no advice [can stand up] against the LORD.

Good News Translation
Human wisdom, brilliance, insight--they are of no help if the LORD is against you.

International Standard Version
No wisdom, insight, or counsel can prevail against the LORD.

Majority Standard Bible
There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.

NET Bible
There is no wisdom and there is no understanding, and there is no counsel against the LORD.

New Heart English Bible
There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.

Webster's Bible Translation
There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.

World English Bible
There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against Yahweh.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
There is no wisdom, nor understanding, "" Nor counsel against YHWH.

Young's Literal Translation
There is no wisdom, nor understanding, Nor counsel, over-against Jehovah.

Smith's Literal Translation
No wisdom and no understanding, and no counsel against Jehovah.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
There is no wisdom, there is no prudence, there is no counsel against the Lord.

Catholic Public Domain Version
There is no wisdom, there is no prudence, there is no counsel, which is against the Lord.

New American Bible
No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel prevail against the LORD.

New Revised Standard Version
No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel, can avail against the LORD.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel like that of the LORD.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
There is no wisdom, neither intelligence, nor mind, like that of LORD JEHOVAH.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
There is no wisdom nor understanding Nor counsel against the LORD.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
There is no wisdom, there is no courage, there is no counsel against the ungodly.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The King's Heart
29A wicked man hardens his face, but the upright man makes his way sure. 30There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD. 31A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but victory is of the LORD.…

Cross References
Isaiah 40:13-14
Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, or informed Him as His counselor? / Whom did He consult to enlighten Him, and who taught Him the paths of justice? Who imparted knowledge to Him and showed Him the way of understanding?

Romans 11:33-34
O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways! / “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?”

1 Corinthians 1:19-20
For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” / Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

Job 5:12-13
He thwarts the schemes of the crafty, so that their hands find no success. / He catches the wise in their craftiness, and sweeps away the plans of the cunning.

Isaiah 29:14
Therefore I will again confound these people with wonder upon wonder. The wisdom of the wise will vanish, and the intelligence of the intelligent will be hidden.”

1 Corinthians 3:19-20
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.” / And again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”

Job 12:13-16
Wisdom and strength belong to God; counsel and understanding are His. / What He tears down cannot be rebuilt; the man He imprisons cannot be released. / If He holds back the waters, they dry up, and if He releases them, they overwhelm the land. ...

Jeremiah 8:9
The wise will be put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped. Since they have rejected the word of the LORD, what wisdom do they really have?

Isaiah 55:8-9
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. / “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.

Daniel 2:20-22
and declared: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him. / He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. / He reveals the deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him.

Psalm 33:10-11
The LORD frustrates the plans of the nations; He thwarts the devices of the peoples. / The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the purposes of His heart to all generations.

Colossians 2:3
in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Job 9:4
God is wise in heart and mighty in strength. Who has resisted Him and prospered?

Romans 16:27
to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.

Psalm 147:5
Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit.


Treasury of Scripture

There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.

Proverbs 19:21
There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.

Isaiah 7:5-7
Because Syria, Ephraim, and the son of Remaliah, have taken evil counsel against thee, saying, …

Isaiah 8:9,10
Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, all ye of far countries: gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces; gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces…

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Proverbs 21
1. The king's heart in the hand of the Lord














There is no wisdom
This phrase emphasizes the limitations of human wisdom when compared to divine wisdom. In the biblical context, wisdom is often associated with the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10). Human wisdom, no matter how profound, cannot match the infinite wisdom of God. This is echoed in 1 Corinthians 1:25, where Paul states that the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom. The Bible consistently portrays God as the ultimate source of wisdom, as seen in James 1:5, where believers are encouraged to ask God for wisdom.

no understanding
Understanding in the biblical sense often refers to insight or discernment that comes from God. The Hebrew word for understanding, "binah," implies a deep comprehension that goes beyond surface knowledge. In Isaiah 55:8-9, God declares that His thoughts and ways are higher than human thoughts and ways, underscoring the idea that true understanding is divine. This phrase serves as a reminder that human understanding is limited and should be sought in alignment with God's will.

no counsel
Counsel refers to advice or plans, often in the context of strategic planning or decision-making. In the ancient Near Eastern culture, counsel was highly valued, especially in leadership and governance. However, this phrase asserts that no human counsel can stand against God's purposes. This is illustrated in Psalm 33:10-11, where the plans of nations are thwarted, but the counsel of the Lord stands forever. It highlights the sovereignty of God over human affairs.

that can prevail against the LORD
The phrase underscores the omnipotence and sovereignty of God. Throughout Scripture, God's plans and purposes are shown to be unassailable. In Job 42:2, Job acknowledges that no purpose of God can be thwarted. This is further affirmed in Romans 8:31, where Paul declares that if God is for us, who can be against us? The ultimate fulfillment of this truth is seen in the life and work of Jesus Christ, whose death and resurrection demonstrate that God's redemptive plan cannot be overcome by any earthly or spiritual power.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Solomon
Traditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom, which he received from God.

2. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant name of God in the Hebrew Bible, representing His eternal, sovereign, and omnipotent nature.

3. The Kingdom of Israel
The context in which Solomon ruled and wrote, a nation chosen by God to be His people and to follow His laws.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty Over Human Wisdom
Human wisdom, no matter how profound, cannot stand against God's plans and purposes. We must submit our understanding to His will.

The Futility of Human Counsel Against God
Any counsel or plan that contradicts God's will is ultimately futile. We should seek alignment with God's counsel in our decision-making.

The Importance of Seeking Divine Wisdom
True wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord. We should prioritize seeking God's wisdom through prayer and Scripture.

Trust in God's Ultimate Plan
Even when human understanding fails, we can trust that God's plan is perfect and will prevail. This trust should bring peace and assurance in our lives.

Humility in Our Own Understanding
Recognizing the limitations of our own wisdom should lead us to humility and reliance on God, rather than pride in our own intellect.(30) There is no wisdom . . . against the Lord--Comp. 1Corinthians 3:19; Isaiah 54:17; Psalm 2:4.

Verse 30. - There is no wisdom, nor understanding, nor counsel against the Lord; i.e. in opposition to him, which can be compared with his, or which can avail against him (comp. Job 5:13; Psalm 33:10, 11; Isaiah 29:14; 1 Corinthians 1:20; 1 Corinthians 3:19). Septuagint, "There is no wisdom, there is no courage (ἀνδρεία), there is no counsel, in respect of the ungodly;" πρὸς τὸν ἀσεβῆ, neged Jahve, being taken as "that which is against Jahve," equivalent to "impious." Wordsworth quotes Horace, 'Carm.,' 3:6. 5, etc. -

"Dis te minorem quod geris, imperus:
Hino omne principium, huc refer exitum."
The following verse carries on and applies the import of this one: As men's wisdom is nothing worth, equally vain is all trust in external means and appliances.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
No
אֵ֣ין (’ên)
Adverb
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

wisdom,
חָ֭כְמָה (ḥāḵ·māh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2451: Wisdom

no
וְאֵ֣ין (wə·’ên)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

understanding,
תְּבוּנָ֑ה (tə·ḇū·nāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8394: Intelligence, an argument, caprice

and no
וְאֵ֥ין (wə·’ên)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

counsel
עֵ֝צָ֗ה (‘ê·ṣāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6098: Advice, plan, prudence

can prevail against
לְנֶ֣גֶד (lə·ne·ḡeḏ)
Preposition-l
Strong's 5048: A front, part opposite, a counterpart, mate, over against, before

the LORD.
יְהוָֽה׃ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3069: YHWH


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 21:30 There is no wisdom nor understanding (Prov. Pro Pr)
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