Proverbs 30
A plain-spoken deep dive on the whole chapter. Read the chapter →
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
(Pro. 30:1-33) This is the title of this chapter (see Introduction). the prophecy--literally, "the burden" (compare Isa 13:1; Zac 9:1), used for any divine instruction; not necessarily a prediction, which was only a kind of prophecy (Ch1 15:27, "a song"). Prophets were inspired men, who spoke for God to man, or for man to God (Gen 20:7; Exo 7:14-16). Such, also, were the New Testament prophets. In a general sense, Gad, Nathan, and others were such, who were divine teachers, though we do not learn that they ever predicted. the man spake--literally, "the saying of the man"; an expression used to denote any solemn and important announcement (compare Sa2 23:1; Psa 36:1; Psa 110:1; Isa 1:24, &c.). Ithiel and Ucal were perhaps pupils.
Open source ↗The words of Agur the son of Jakeh,.... Here begins, according to Aben Ezra, the fourth part of this book; though, according to others, it is the fifth; See Gill on Pro 22:17; Who this Agur was is a matter of doubt; some of the Jewish writers, as Jarchi and Gersom, and likewise some Christian writers (f), take him to be Solomon himself, who calls himself Agur, which is said to signify "a gatherer"; and so the Vulgate Latin version renders it, "the words of the gatherer, the son of the vomiter"; just as he calls himself Koheleth, or "the caller", or "preacher", Ecc 1:1. The reason given of this name is, because he gathered wisdom and the law (g); or, as Jarchi, he gathered wisdom, and vomited it; that is, delivered it out to others; so he did, he sought after and attained to more wisdom than any before him, for he was wiser than all men; and it may be added, that he "gathered" silver and gold, and the treasure of kings, and increased in riches more than any before him, Ecc 1:13. But then all this does not agree with the person whose words these are; for he speaks of himself as being very ignorant, and as not having learned wisdom, Pro 30:2; and desires neither poverty nor riches, Pro 30:8; besides, the word "Agur" signifies not "a gatherer", but "gathered", as Hillerus (h) renders it; and so Cocceius, who thinks also that Solomon is meant, yet not for the above reasons, but translates the clause thus, "the words of the recollected son of the obedient"; as if it described Solomon the son of David, the obedient one, the man after God's own heart, when he was restored by repentance; but it seems better, with Aben Ezra, to understand this of some very good, knowing, and worthy man, who lived in those times, either before the times of Solomon, or in the same, whose pithy sayi…
Open source ↗The title of this first appendix, according to the text lying before us, is: "The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, the utterance." This title of the following collection of proverbs is limited by Olewejored; and המּשּׂא, separated from the author's name by Rebia, is interpreted as a second inscription, standing on one line with דּברי, as particularizing that first. The old synagogue tradition which, on the ground of the general title Pro 1:1, regarded the whole Book of Proverbs as the work of Solomon, interpreted the words, "Agur the son of Jakeh," as an allegorical designation of Solomon, who appropriated the words of the Tôra to the king, Deu 17:17, and again rejected them, for he said: God is with me, and I shall not do it (viz., take many wives, without thereby suffering injury), Schemth rabba, c. 6. The translation of Jerome: Verba congregantis filii Vomentis, is the echo of this Jewish interpretation. One would suppose that if "Agur" were Solomon's name, "Jakeh" must be that of David; but another interpretation in Midrash Mishle renders בן ("son") as the designation of the bearer of a quality, and sees in "Agur" one who girded (אגר = חגר) his loins for wisdom; and in "son of Jakeh" one free from sin (חטא ועון נקי מכל). In the Middle Ages this mode of interpretation, which is historically and linguistically absurd, first began to prevail; for then the view was expressed by several (Aben Ezra, and Meri the Spaniard) that Agur ben Jakeh was a wise man of the time of Solomon. That of Solomon's time, they thence conclude (blind to Pro 25:1) that Solomon collected together these proverbs of the otherwise unknown wise man. In truth, the age of the man must remain undecided; and at all events, the time of Hezekiah is the fixed period from which, where possible, it is to b…
Open source ↗Some make Agur to be not the name of this author, but his character; he was a collector (so it signifies), a gatherer, one that did not compose things himself, but collected the wise sayings and observations of others, made abstracts of the writings of others, which some think is the reason why he says (Pro 30:3), "I have not learned wisdom myself, but have been a scribe, or amanuensis, to other wise and learned men." Note, We must not bury our talent, though it be but one, but, as we have received the gift, so minister the same, if it be but to collect what others have written. But we rather suppose it to be his name, which, no doubt, was well known then, though not mentioned elsewhere in scripture. Ithiel and Ucal are mentioned, either, 1. As the names of his pupils, whom he instructed, or who consulted him as an oracle, having a great opinion of his wisdom and goodness. Probably they wrote from him what he dictated, as Baruch wrote from the mouth of Jeremiah, and by their means it was preserved, as they were ready to attest it to be his, for it was spoken to them; they were two witnesses of it. Or, 2. As the subject of his discourse. Ithiel signifies God with me, the application of Immanuel, God with us. The word calls him God with us; faith appropriates this, and calls him "God with me, who loved me, and gave himself for me, and into union and communion with whom I am admitted." Ucal signifies the Mighty One, for it is upon one that is mighty that help is laid for us. Many good interpreters therefore apply this to the Messiah, for to him all the prophecies bear witness, and why not this then? It is what Agur spoke concerning Ithiel, even concerning Ithiel (that is the name on which the stress is laid) with us, Isa 7:14. Three things the prophet here aims at: - I. To…
Open source ↗30:1a This superscription probably refers to the whole of ch 30. • Agur son of Jakeh: Apart from this reference, Agur and Jakeh are unknown. If “from Massa” is the correct reading, then Agur was a non-Israelite (the tribe of Massa is known from Assyrian texts). 30:1b-3 Agur expresses his ignorance (cp. Ps 73:22, where the psalmist calls himself a senseless animal). The first step toward wisdom is acknowledging what we do not know.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause אָגוּר (ʼÂgûwr, H94) — Agur, a fanciful name for Solomon בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יָקֶה (Yâqeh, H3348) — Jakeh, a symbolical name (for Solomon) מַשָּׂא (massâʼ, H4853) — a burden; specifically, tribute, or (abstractly) porterage; figuratively, an utterance,… גֶּבֶר (geber, H1397) — properly, a valiant man or warrior; generally, a person simply נְאֻם (nᵉʼum, H5002) — an oracle אִיתִיאֵל (ʼÎythîyʼêl, H384) — Ithiel, the name of an Israelite, also of a symbolical person אֻכָל (ʼUkâl, H401) — Ucal, a fancy name
Open source ↗בַּעַר (baʻar, H1198) — properly, foot (as consumed); i.e. (by exten.) of cattle brutishness; (concretely) stupid אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… בִּינָה (bîynâh, H998) — understanding אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
Open source ↗לָמַד (lâmad, H3925) — properly, to goad, i.e. (by implication) to teach (the rod being an Oriental incentive) חׇכְמָה (chokmâh, H2451) — wisdom (in a good sense) יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… דַּעַת (daʻath, H1847) — knowledge קָדוֹשׁ (qâdôwsh, H6918) — sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) God (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a…
Open source ↗עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… שָׁמַיִם (shâmayim, H8064) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds… יָרַד (yârad, H3381) — to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the… אָסַף (ʼâçaph, H622) — to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e. remove (destroy, leave… רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,… חֹפֶן (chôphen, H2651) — a fist (only in the dual) צָרַר (tsârar, H6887) — to cramp, literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen שִׂמְלָה (simlâh, H8071) — a dress, especially a mantle קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) אֶפֶס (ʼepheç, H657) — cessation, i.e. an end (especially of the earth); often used adverb, no further; also the… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative…
Open source ↗אִמְרָה (ʼimrâh, H565) — {something said} אֱלוֹהַּ (ʼĕlôwahh, H433) — a deity or the Deity צָרַף (tsâraph, H6884) — to fuse (metal), i.e. refine (literally or figuratively) מָגֵן (mâgên, H4043) — a shield (i.e. the small one or buckler); figuratively, a protector; also the scaly hide… חָסָה (châçâh, H2620) — to flee for protection; figuratively, to confide in
Open source ↗יָסַף (yâçaph, H3254) — to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing) דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יָכַח (yâkach, H3198) — to be right (i.e. correct); reciprocal, to argue; causatively, to decide, justify or… כָּזַב (kâzab, H3576) — to lie (i.e. deceive), literally or figuratively
Open source ↗שְׁנַיִם (shᵉnayim, H8147) — two; also (as ordinal) twofold שָׁאַל (shâʼal, H7592) — to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand מָנַע (mânaʻ, H4513) — to debar (negatively or positively) from benefit or injury מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
Open source ↗רָחַק (râchaq, H7368) — to widen (in any direction), i.e. (intransitively) recede or (transitively) remove… שָׁוְא (shâvᵉʼ, H7723) — evil (as destructive), literally (ruin) or morally (especially guile); figuratively… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause כָּזָב (kâzâb, H3577) — falsehood; literally (untruth) or figuratively (idol) נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) רֵישׁ (rêysh, H7389) — poverty עֹשֶׁר (ʻôsher, H6239) — wealth טָרַף (ṭâraph, H2963) — to pluck off or pull to pieces; causatively to supply with food (as in morsels) לֶחֶם (lechem, H3899) — food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it) חֹק (chôq, H2706) — an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)
Open source ↗שָׂבַע (sâbaʻ, H7646) — to sate, i.e. fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively) כָּחַשׁ (kâchash, H3584) — to be untrue, in word (to lie, feign, disown) or deed (to disappoint, fail, cringe) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God יָרַשׁ (yârash, H3423) — to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by… גָּנַב (gânab, H1589) — to thieve (literally or figuratively); by implication, to deceive תָּפַשׂ (tâphas, H8610) — to manipulate, i.e. seize; chiefly to capture, wield, specifically, to overlay;… שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with…
Open source ↗לָשַׁן (lâshan, H3960) — to wag the tongue, i.e. to calumniate עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant אָדוֹן (ʼâdôwn, H113) — sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine) קָלַל (qâlal, H7043) — to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively… אָשַׁם (ʼâsham, H816) — to be guilty; by implication to be punished or perish
Open source ↗דּוֹר (dôwr, H1755) — properly, a revolution of time, i.e. an age or generation; also a dwelling קָלַל (qâlal, H7043) — to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively… אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application בָרַךְ (bârak, H1288) — to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as… אֵם (ʼêm, H517) — a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively…
Open source ↗דּוֹר (dôwr, H1755) — properly, a revolution of time, i.e. an age or generation; also a dwelling טָהוֹר (ṭâhôwr, H2889) — pure (in a physical, chemical, ceremonial or moral sense) עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) רָחַץ (râchats, H7364) — to lave (the whole or a part of a thing) צוֹאָה (tsôwʼâh, H6675) — excrement; generally, dirt; figuratively, pollution
Open source ↗דּוֹר (dôwr, H1755) — properly, a revolution of time, i.e. an age or generation; also a dwelling רוּם (rûwm, H7311) — to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively) עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) עַפְעַף (ʻaphʻaph, H6079) — an eyelash (as fluttering); figuratively, morning ray נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
Open source ↗דּוֹר (dôwr, H1755) — properly, a revolution of time, i.e. an age or generation; also a dwelling שֵׁן (shên, H8127) — a tooth (as sharp); specifically ivory; figuratively, a cliff חֶרֶב (chereb, H2719) — drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or… מְתַלְּעָה (mᵉthallᵉʻâh, H4973) — properly, a biter, i.e. a tooth מַאֲכֶלֶת (maʼăkeleth, H3979) — something to eat with,i.e. a knife אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) עָנִי (ʻânîy, H6041) — depressed, in mind or circumstances אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) אֶבְיוֹן (ʼebyôwn, H34) — destitute אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.