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














No wisdom
The Hebrew word for "wisdom" here is "חָכְמָה" (chokmah), which encompasses not only knowledge but also the skillful application of that knowledge in life. In the ancient Near Eastern context, wisdom was highly valued and often associated with the ability to make sound decisions and lead effectively. However, this verse emphasizes that even the highest human wisdom is insufficient when set against the divine wisdom of God. It serves as a reminder that human intellect and reasoning, no matter how advanced, cannot surpass the infinite wisdom of the Creator.

No understanding
The term "understanding" is translated from the Hebrew word "תְּבוּנָה" (tevunah), which refers to insight or discernment. This concept is often linked to the ability to perceive the true nature of things, to see beyond the surface. In the biblical context, understanding is a gift from God, enabling individuals to grasp deeper truths. The verse underscores that human understanding, which can often be limited and flawed, cannot stand against the perfect and complete understanding of the Lord. It is a call to humility, recognizing that our comprehension is finite compared to God's omniscience.

No counsel
"Counsel" comes from the Hebrew word "עֵצָה" (etsah), meaning advice or purpose. In ancient times, counsel was sought from wise elders or prophets, and it played a crucial role in decision-making processes. This phrase highlights that even the best human advice or strategic planning cannot succeed if it opposes God's will. It reflects the biblical principle that God's plans are sovereign and unchangeable, and human counsel must align with His divine purpose to be effective.

Can prevail against
The phrase "can prevail against" is derived from the Hebrew "יָקוּם" (yakum), which means to stand or endure. This conveys the idea of resistance or opposition. The verse asserts that no human wisdom, understanding, or counsel can withstand or overcome the Lord's plans. It is a powerful declaration of God's supreme authority and the futility of opposing His will. Historically, this has been evident in the rise and fall of empires and leaders who have attempted to defy God's purposes.

The LORD
The term "LORD" is the English representation of the Hebrew "יהוה" (YHWH), the sacred and personal name of God revealed to Moses. It signifies God's eternal, self-existent nature and His covenant relationship with His people. This name is a reminder of God's faithfulness, power, and sovereignty. In this verse, it emphasizes that the Lord, as the ultimate authority, is unmatched and unchallenged by any human endeavor. It calls believers to trust in God's perfect plan and to seek His guidance above all else.

(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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