Proverbs 30 Footnotes

30:21-23 The point of riddles like this is to determine the thing that ties all the examples together. The “three things . . . four” formula reflects a Semitic poetic convention when numbers are used in parallel poetic lines. The first line uses a certain number and then the second parallel line uses that number plus one. The examples given here involve individuals who have experienced a significant reversal in their fortunes. The thing they have in common is that in each instance they forget their previous circumstances and become unbearable in their new situations. Verse 23 is sometimes taken by critics as illustrating a demeaning attitude of the OT toward women. It should be noted, however, that of the four examples given in the riddle, two involve men and two involve women.