The Meaning of Proverbs 25:6 Explained

Proverbs 25:6

KJV: Put not forth thyself in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of great men:

YLT: Honour not thyself before a king, And in the place of the great stand not.

Darby: Put not thyself forward in the presence of the king, and stand not in the place of the great;

ASV: Put not thyself forward in the presence of the king, And stand not in the place of great men:

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Put not forth  thyself in the presence  of the king,  and stand  not in the place  of great  [men]: 

What does Proverbs 25:6 Mean?

Context Summary

Proverbs 25:1-14 - Words Fitly Spoken
This collection of proverbs was made. 250years after the time of Solomon by the scribes of King Hezekiah. The glory of God is too great to be disclosed to the vulgar eye of mere curiosity, but it will be unfolded to royal souls that seek for it as for hid treasure"¦. The great rulers of the world must have their secret counsels, but they should be freed from evil counselors, as gold from dross"¦. Compare Proverbs 25:6 and Proverbs 25:7 with Luke 14:8-10"¦. Second thoughts are best; sleep over your plan or letter; be deliberate in planning and prompt in acting on the plan when formed"¦. Don't reveal to another a cause of offense that should be adjusted between yourself and your neighbor, Matthew 18:15"¦. A word happily adapted to a circumstance is like an apple of gold, that is, an orange, in a basket of silver filigree-work."¦ As drink cooled with snow refreshes the thirsty reaper, so is a messenger who faithfully executes his errand to the master who sent him. [source]

Chapter Summary: Proverbs 25

1  observations about kings
8  and about avoiding causes of quarrels

What do the individual words in Proverbs 25:6 mean?

Not do exalt yourself in the presence of the king and in the place of the great not do stand
אַל־ תִּתְהַדַּ֥ר לִפְנֵי־ מֶ֑לֶךְ וּבִמְק֥וֹם גְּ֝דֹלִ֗ים אַֽל־ תַּעֲמֹֽד

תִּתְהַדַּ֥ר  do  exalt  yourself 
Parse: Verb, Hitpael, Imperfect, second person masculine singular
Root: הֲדוּרִים 
Sense: to honour, adorn, glorify, be high.
לִפְנֵי־  in  the  presence 
Parse: Preposition-l, Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: לִפְנֵי 
Sense: face.
מֶ֑לֶךְ  of  the  king 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: מֶלֶךְ 
Sense: king.
וּבִמְק֥וֹם  and  in  the  place 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: מָקֹום  
Sense: standing place, place.
גְּ֝דֹלִ֗ים  of  the  great 
Parse: Adjective, masculine plural
Root: גָּבֹול 
Sense: great.
תַּעֲמֹֽד  do  stand 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine singular
Root: עָמַד  
Sense: to stand, remain, endure, take one’s stand.