Proverbs 30
Share
CHAPTER 30
Sayings of Agur (30:1–33)
1–33 Verses 1–4: Little is known about Agur, and the words Ithiel and Ucal are of uncertain meaning; perhaps they were Agur’s disciples. Agur acknowledges that his own wisdom is very limited—especially compared to God’s wisdom. He is so aware of his own ignorance that he feels like the most ignorant of men—just as Paul considered himself the worst of sinners (1 Timothy 1:16). Even God’s name can’t be known (verse 4)—unless, that is, He reveals it.69
Verses 5–6: In one sense, God cannot really be known by humans; however, He has revealed much about Himself through His words—words written in Scripture and spoken by His prophets.70 Agur says these “words” are flawless (see 2 Samuel 22:31), and that nothing should be added to them or taken from them (Deuteronomy 4:2; Revelation 22:18–19).
Verses 7–9: Before Agur begins his sayings, he asks the Lord for two things: first, to be prevented from speaking dishonestly; and second, to have only what is sufficient for his needs—his daily bread (Matthew 6:11). He desires neither poverty nor riches: the former would tempt him to steal, and the latter would tempt him to forget God71 (see Deuteronomy 8:10–14). These verses conclude Agur’s introduction to his sayings: having acknowledged his ignorance (verses 2–4), having put his trust in God’s word (verses 5–6), and having prayed that God might keep him from temptation (verses 7–9), Agur is now ready to begin.
Verse 10: People often think they can get away with sinning against someone of lesser rank—like a servant. But a servant can still curse the person who sins against him, and the curse will have its effect because it is deserved (Proverbs 26:2).
Verses 11–14: In these verses Agur gives a description of the wicked: they curse and disregard their parents (see Proverbs 20:20); they consider themselves pure in their own eyes (see Matthew 23:27); they are arrogant and cruel in word and deed (verses 13–14).
Verses 15–16: The leech is a symbol of greed. The leech’s two daughters are its two suckers, one on each end; they are never satisfied (verse 15). There are four72 other things that are never satisfied: the grave, which keeps swallowing up the dead; the barren womb, which always hopes for a child; land, which always thirsts for rain; and fire, which keeps consuming whatever it can reach.
Verse17: The eye that mocks and scorns will be pecked out—a variation of the principle, eye for eye (Exodus 21:24). This saying could also mean that a child who mocks his parents does not deserve proper burial but should be left exposed for the vultures to eat.
Verses 18–19: The four things Agur mentions here—the eagle, the snake, the ship, and the lovers—are amazing because they can find their way without a road; they leave no track, and their way isn’t easily followed or explained. And yet, even without being able to explain them, we can appreciate these four aspects of God’s world—especially the lovers, the man and the maiden!
Verse 20: In contrast to the wonder of sexual love is the perversion of it by an adulteress; for her, sex is similar to eating a meal. Afterward she wipes her mouth to conceal what she has done.
Verses 21–23: The four things that make the earth “tremble”—that upset the social order—are as follows: a servant elevated above his place, a fool who is prosperous, a wife who is not loved, and a maidservant who takes her mistress’s place—probably because the mistress could bear no children (see Genesis 16:15). Of course, it is possible for these four types of people to be improved by their new circumstances, but more commonly their behavior gets worse (see Proverbs 19:10).
Verses 24–28: Agur next mentions four creatures who are small but wise: Ants, who know how to provide for themselves (unlike fools and sluggards); coneys (rock badgers), who find protection among the crags; locusts, who march like an army; and the lizard, who can crawl up walls and hide in palaces. God’s own wisdom is thus manifested in the tiniest of His creatures.
Verses 29–31: Not only the lesser but also the greater creatures of God’s creation deserve our praise.
Verses 32–33: Agur concludes by telling the fool and the evildoer, “. . . clap your hand over your mouth; stop your plotting at once” (verse 32). Foolishness and evil lead to strife; wisdom and righteousness lead to peace.