Proverbs 30

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.