There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against Yahweh.
Parallel translations
- KJV There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD.
- BSB There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.
- ESV No wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the LORD.
- NKJV There is no wisdom or understanding Or counsel against the Lord.
- NASB There is no wisdom, no understanding, And no plan against the Lord.
- NLT No human wisdom or understanding or plan can stand against the Lord.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
No wisdom, understanding, or counsel can stand against the Lord. It matters because God's purposes ultimately overrule all human schemes.
Overview
Every human plan and strategy is powerless to thwart God's sovereign will (Isaiah 14:27; Acts 5:38-39). The verse declares the supremacy of God over all created wisdom. It calls us to humble trust, for the Lord's counsel alone stands forever (Proverbs 19:21).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 11
- Acts 5:39But if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow it, and you would be found even to be fighting against God!”
- Prov 19:21There are many plans in a man’s heart, but Yahweh’s counsel will prevail.
- Jer 9:23Yahweh says, “Don’t let the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might. Don’t let the rich man glory in his riches.
- Isa 14:27For Yahweh of Armies has planned, and who can stop it? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?”
- 1 Cor 3:19–20For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He has taken the wise in their craftiness.”
- Isa 8:9–10Make an uproar, you peoples, and be broken in pieces! Listen, all you from far countries: dress for battle, and be shattered! Dress for battle, and be shattered!
- Isa 46:10–11I declare the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done. I say: My counsel will stand, and I will do all that I please.
- Acts 4:27–28“For truly, in this city against your holy servant, Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together
- Isa 7:5–7Because Syria, Ephraim, and the son of Remaliah, have plotted evil against you, saying,
- 1 Pet 2:8and, “a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” For they stumble at the word, being disobedient, to which also they were appointed.
- Jonah 1:13Nevertheless the men rowed hard to get them back to the land; but they could not, for the sea grew more and more stormy against them.
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Wisdom personified, with God before creation and the agent of all things, anticipates Christ 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom' — the wisdom of God made flesh.
How Proverbs 21:30 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.