Proverbs 30:3

3 I have never learned any wisdom, and I know nothing at all about God.

Proverbs 30:3 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 30:3

I neither learned wisdom
Natural wisdom or philosophy, so as to understand the nature of things, and reason about them in a philosophical manner; or political wisdom, so as to know how to govern states, and manage the affairs of kingdoms; or in a lower sphere to transact the affairs of life to any peculiar advantage; he had not a polite or liberal education: or spiritual and evangelical wisdom; that is, not of himself through the mere strength and force of his genius and natural capacity, or of others; he was not the son of a prophet, nor brought up in the schools of the prophets; he did not learn it, nor was he taught it by men; for this is not acquired by human teaching; it is what comes from above, from heaven, and by the revelation of God; nor have the knowledge of the holy;
or "holies" F19; either of holy persons, such knowledge as holy men of God had; or of the holy angels, not of their nature, capacities, influence and operations; nor such as they have: or rather of the holy Persons in the Trinity, Father, Son and Spirit; their nature modes of subsisting, perfections, purposes, and the like; at least not a full and comprehensive one: or of holy things, of the holy Scriptures, and the holy doctrines of them; however, not what is perfect and complete. It may be rendered, "but I have the knowledge of the holy" F20, though he had not the advantage of human literature, nor had ever been under the instructions of men on one account or another, and therefore what he knew, or was about to discourse of, was from God. Some understand this verse and ( Proverbs 30:2 ) of Ithiel, or Christ F21, as in the esteem of men, ( 1 Corinthians 1:23 ) ( John 7:15 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F19 (Myvdq) "sanctorum", V. L. Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Mercerus, Gejerus, Cocceius, Schultens.
F20 (eda Myvdq tedw) "ad cognitionem sanctorum novi", Michaelis; "expers sum humanarnm artium, et divinarum guarus sum", Vatablus in Gejerus.
F21 Teelman. Specimen. Explicat. Parabol. p. 391.

Proverbs 30:3 In-Context

1 These are the solemn words of Agur son of Jakeh: "God is not with me, God is not with me, and I am helpless.
2 I am more like an animal than a human being; I do not have the sense we humans should have.
3 I have never learned any wisdom, and I know nothing at all about God.
4 Have any ever mastered heavenly knowledge? Have any ever caught the wind in their hands? Or wrapped up water in a piece of cloth? Or fixed the boundaries of the earth? Who are they, if you know? Who are their children?
5 "God keeps every promise he makes. He is like a shield for all who seek his protection.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.