Proverbs 30
DortAgur confesseth his own and all mens ignorance in matters divine, without the word of God, v.1, &c. And declareth, that the wisdom, creation, and governing of all things, pertaineth to God the Father, and to his son, 4. He extolleth the pureness and perfection of the word of God, 5,6. His prayer for two things, 7,8,9. Of accusing a servant to his master, 10. Four evil generations, 11, &c. Four unsatiable things, 15,16. Contempt of parents, 17. Four things hard to be known, 18,19. Four intolerable things, 21,22,23. Four small, but wise creatures, 24, &c. Four creatures, stately in their going, 29,30,31. Ceasing and prevenvetions of wrath, 32,33.
1. The words of Agur, [Some do understand by this name, Solomon himself, by reason of the gathering of his Proverbs all together into one volume or book; for the name Agur cometh from a word, that signifieth gathering and bringing together. Others conceive, that Agur is the name of a Prophet, that make the Proverbs of this chapter, inscribed and dedicated them to the two persons that are here named or mentioned] the son of Jake, a burden; [that is, the doctrine. See of the Hebrew word, 2 Kings 9.on verse 25. Where it signifieth a prophetical threatening; but it is here taken for all manner of good instruction, whereby a man is edified] the man speaketh unto Ithiel, unto Ithiel and Uchal. [some conceive These two (Ithiel and Uchal) to be names and titles of our blessed Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, of whom mention is made in the fourth verse: Ithiel is as much, as God is with me, agreeing very neer with the name, Immanuel, Isa.7.14. Uchal signifieth, I shall prevail, or be able. Others conceivce them to be the names of Agurs companions, or scholars, or (as some are of opinion) sons, who received the insuing proverbs at his hand, or of him.]
2. Verily I am more brutish then any man; and I have no human understanding: [The prophet beginneth his Proverbs with a presence concerning the meanness, and (as I may say) nothingness of his understanding and apprehension, both to set bounds and limits unto himself, in the searching and diving into secret and hidden things, and also to instruct and teach others, that they ought not curiously to pry into high and deep matters, that exceed and surmount the capacity of man, but to keep themselves within the bounds of humble docibility] then any man, [Agur, by reason of the mean conceit that he hath himself, maketh himself, in regard of the high, transparent, mysterious quetions, viler and baser then any man.] And I have no human understanding, [or, I have not the understanding of a man. To wit, not as it is now since the fall, but as it was at first, when created in Adam.]
3. Neither have I learned wisdom, [To wit, that I should be able to apprehend things that are so high] nor known the knowledge of the holy (ones.) [Of the word holy (ones) or Saints, see Job 15:15. and the Annotat. Oth. Should I then know the knowledge of the holy (ones?)
4. Who hath ascended up into heaven, and descendeth? [It is as much as if he had said; Who is the wisdom of God, and the power of God, as the onely begotten Son of God, the Messias, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge? Compare above, chap.8. from vers.22. to verse 32. And 1 Cor.1.24. Cor.2.3. And see further these very words applied to our Saviour Christ, Joh.3.13. Eph.4.9,10.] who hath gathered the wind in his fists? [as God the father, and his onely begotten son doth, without excluding the Holy Ghost, who proceedeth from them both, and is the spirit of the Father and of the Son. Compare, John 1:3. Heb.1.3. &c.] who hath bound the waters in a garment? [Meaning, the superior waters, or the waters that are above; that is, the clouds, which God alone keepeth and holdeth hanging in the air, as if they were bound and shut up in a garment, which he looseneth and unfoldeth at his pleasure] who hath established all the ends of the earth? [to wit, that they are founded in the midst of the air, upon their own weight. Compare, Job 38:4. Psalm.104.3. Isa.40.12.] how is his name, and how, if thou know it, his sons name? [to wit, God the Fathers name, and his eternal Sons name. Compare, Psal.2.7. and 80.16. Isa.9.5. whose name (that is, whose eternal divine essence) no creature is able to comprehend, see Exod.3,13,14. Judg.13.17,18.]
5. All (or every) saying of God [Meaning the word of God revealed unto us in in Scripture, containing in it the doctrine which we are to believe, and the commandments which we ought to keep and perform, without troubling our selves too much with the secrets which God hath kept for himself alone, and which excel and transcend our capacity and apprehension, Deut.29.29.] is purified: [compare, Psa.12.7. and 18.31. and 19.9. and 119.40.] he is a shield [compare, Gen.15.1. and the Annotat.] unto them that trust in him.
6. Add not unto his words, [Compare, Deut.4.2. and 12.32. Rev.22.19.] left he reprove thee, and thou be found lying. [he forbiddeth not to diminish ought from the words of God, not because it is law to do so, for that is likewise firbidden, Deut.4.2. and 12.32. Revel.22.19. but because men are most prone and inclined to adding; and that under a colour of rightly interpreting and expounding the word, and also of singular and eminent holiness.]
7. Two things have I required of thee; [Namely, O God] with-hold them not from me, before I die. [that is, before I depart out of this transitory life: wherein mans soul is always subject to a sinful nature and condition, and his body hath always need of temporal necessaries to support it.]
8. Vanity, [Meaning all infidently, error and falsehood in doctrine. So is the word taken, Lament.2.14. Ezek.12.24. and 13.6,7. Zach.10.2.] and lying [meaning all manner of falsehood, hypocrisy, deceit, flattering, circumvention, lewdness and perversness in life, so Psal.4.3. and 62.5. above, chap.19.22. and 23.3.] remove far from me, [to wit, by the illumination and sanctification of thy spirit. This is the first thing that he desireth or requireth at the hand of God] give me neither poverty nor riches, [this is his second request] feed me with the bread of mine appointed distinct portion. [see Job 23.on v.12.]
9. Lest I being full, should then deny (thee,) and say, who is the LORD? [That is, being full in regard of the possession of great riches, or of a great estate; and wanton, by reason of the immoderate and excessive abuse of them. Compare, Deut.31.20. and 32.15. Neh.925. 26. Below, v.22.] or lest I being improverished, should then steal, and take hold of the Name of my God. [to wit, by vain and idle abuse of it, or by perjury and taking a false oath, to get wealth, or by denying theft committed by me, or by murmuring against God for visiting me with poverty.]
10. Accuse not a servant unto his master, [That is, accuse him not rashly, and wrongfully, without any fault at all by him committed, see Psal.101. on verse 5.] left he curse thee, [that is, beg vengeance of God upon thee, who hath promised to help and defend the poor that are oppressed and afflicted, Exod.22.23. but when the accusation is well grounded and justly made, a man needeth not to fear any curse at all, above, chap.26.2. but may on the contrary expect a blessing, 2 Sam.16.12.] and thou become guilty. [That is, be not onely convinced of thy sin, but also be punished of God for it. Compare, Gen.41.21. Lev.4.22. Num.5.6,7.]
11. There is a generation [That is, a sort or kind of men, so Deut.1.35. and 32.5. Psal.14.5. and here in the following 12,13,14 verse] that curseth their father, [the prophet relateth here, and in the three following verses, some sort of sinners that are very odious and abominable in the sight of God] and doth not bless their mother. [that is, will also curse her. That which was before related, again repeated, with a denial of the contrary unto that which was related and asserted, so Deut.33.6. Isa.38.1, &c.]
12. A generation that is poor in their (own) eyes [That is, in their own conceit and judgement. Compare Job 18:3. and see the Annotat. Understand here by these, all hypocrites, and such as seem holy in outward shew and appearance, who count themselves to be clean and pure from sin, (or at least very little defiled there with) in comparison of others] and is not washed from their dung. [that is sins, which are here called by a word which signifieth filth or excrements, which are voided by going to stool, so, Isa.4.4.]
13. A generation, whose eyes are lofty, and whose eyelids are lifted up. [Meaning, proud men, that have a high conceit of themselves, despise every one, and desire to look over all men heads, see above, chap.6.on verse.12.]
14. A generation, whose teeth are swords, [Compare Psal.57.5.] and whose great teeth [see Job 29.on v.17.] (are) knives, to consume [that is, to devour and to destroy, see Exod.15.7. and the Annotat. Deut.32.42.2. Sam.2.26.] the miserable from off the earth, and the needy from among men. [understand in general, those that being extream cruel, and without any pity or compassion at all, abuse their power and authority, to destroy those that are poor and mean in the world: as there are such as are back-biters, defames, or takes away of others good name and repute, and slanderers: also those that violently oppress and wrong the poor, as likewise covetous persons, that wrong and oppress their neighbour by coarsening and fraudulent, or suck them dry by usury and extortion.]
15. The blood-sucker [Meaning a thick water-worm, otherwise called an horse-leach, that liveth in ponds, or pools, and moors, having a sharp tongue cloven in two branches, wherewith being applied to the body, she pincheth through the skin of it, and then sucketh in so much blood, as that she falleth off from the body of her own accord, her appetite being not fully satisfied, but her body so filled and puffed up with blood, that it can hold no more. The comparison is well to be heeded] hath two daughters, [the Hebrew word signifieth properly daughters, but it is also taken for branches or springs, because they are as daughters of the stock from whence they issue, Gen.49.22. Understand here the split or cloven tongue, whereof mention was made in the former Annotat.] Give, Give [that is, whereof every one sait. Give, or Bring, or both of them may be so called, to express their insatiability thereby] These three things [see above, chap.6.on verse 16.] are not satisfied: (yea) four [see the same place] say not, It is enough.
16. The grave, [Compare above chap.1.12. and 27.20.] the closed womb, [Heb. The closing up of the womb: that is, the closed and barren womb, see Gen.20.on vers.18. The Israelitish women were in those times exceeding (yea, beyond measure) desirous to have children, see Gen.30.1,23. With the Annotat.] the earth, (that) is not satisfied with water: [to wit, the dry and sandy earth: for although it be much moistened, yet in a short time it becometh again so dry and thirsty, that it seemeth not to have been watered at all] and the fire, [which is never weary of burning, though never so much combustible matter be thrown into it] saith not, it is enough. [Compare, Job 14 7. And the Annotat.]
17. The eye that mocketh (his) Father, or despiseth the obedience of (his) Mother, the ravens of the brook [That is, the ravens about brooks, rivers and streams of water, to drink there, or to seek their prey from dead bodies or carcases, and other things, and other things, that do often drive or float in them. Oth. The ravens of the valley, such as afterwards was the valley of Hinnom, where there lay sometimes dead carcases, and other filthy and noisome things, 2 Kings 23:10.] shall pick it out, and the Eagles young ones shall eat it. [The meaning is, that stubborn and rebellious children that mock and deride their parents, do at last come to the gallows, to unburied are wont to be cast before birds, as a prey to be eaten and devoured by them. The eyes is specially mentioned in his punishment, because the tokens of mocking, despite, contempt and stubbornness are for the most part seen in the eye.]
18. These three things are too wonderful for me: yea four, which I know not.
19. The way [That is, the manner of acting. See above chap.6.on v.6.] of an eagle in the heaven, [Her way of acting is wonderful, because she flieth both exceeding swift and exceeding high all at once. Oth. Because she with her flying rendereth and cutteth the air asunder, and yet leaveth no mark or print to be seen in it] the way of a serpent upon a rock: [which is wonderful, because without feet she creepeth speedily, and climbeth up into slippery rocks. Oth. Because in the rock, upon which she creepeth, she maketh no furrow, nor leaveth any slime behind her, as water-snakes do, nor feathers, as birds do, nor dung, as almost all other creatures do] the way of a ship in the heart of the Sea, [that is, in the midst of the Sea, see above chap.23.on ver.34. This is likewise wonderful, because a ship in the midst of the sea now goeth down into a deep profundity, as into the very bottom of the sea, anon riseth up again, and mounteth aloft as if it would tear the very sky, without tossing upside down and drowning. Oth. Because in a still and calm water it leaveth a kind of print and furrow behind it, but which suddenly vanisheth, neither can it so be discerned in the midst of the sea, by reason of the waves up waves and billows, that drive and carry the waves up and down] and the way of a man with a maid. [which is wonderful, both in the respect of the rare and wonderful briding and uniting of his heart with maid, and also in respect of the wonderful means used by him for the getting and enjoying of her.]
20. So is the way of an adulterous woman: [That is, so wonderful or hidden, as the four afore-recited things are: To wit, by reason of the great wickedness and vileness, which she knoweth how to use, as well in the practising of her unclean and immodest actions, as in the excusing and hiding of them, when she hath done; as followeth in the text] she eateth [that is, she enjoyeth the unchaste carnal copulation. Compare above chap.9.17. and 20.17.] and wipeth her mouth and saith, I have wrought no iniquity. [that is, she feigneth to know of no wickedness at all, as if she were one of the honestest women in the world.]
21. For three things [Compare above chap.6.on v.16.] the Earth [that is, the inhabitants of the Earth. Compare Gen.41.30. and the annotate.] is disquieted: yea for you four (which) it cannot bear.
22. For a servant, when he reigneth: [That is, is in place of authority, and advanced to high dignity, whereby he obtaineth great powers which he abuseth to the oppression of others, and to his own destruction] and a fool [see 1 Sam.25.on v.25.] when he is satisfied [see above on ver.9.] with bread. [that is, all manner of good things tending to the preservation and upholding of his temporal life, see above chap.4.on v.17.]
23. For an hateful (woman) when she is married; [Meaning a woman that is hated of every body, and deserveth to be hated for her bad qualities and ill conditions: for being married she is intolerable to her husband, children, servants, neighbours, etc. Some understand by this hated woman, the wife of an husband, who among other wives, (which he had all at once, according to the custome of those times) loved her as the first least, but afterwards most of all, whereby she become odious and intolerable unto her companions and corrivals] and an hand-maid, when she is heir of her mistress. [that is, when she marrieth her master after her mistresses decease. Hebr. When she inheriteth her mistress. Compare Judg.11.23,24.]
24. These four (things) are of the least (things) of the Earth: but they are wise, [That is, are prudent and intelligent, which they manifest and discover by certain works, which they do by the dictate and instinct of nature, whereby men ought to be provoked and stirred up to the practising of sundry vertues] well furnished with wisdom; [Hebr. Made wise: that is, furnished and endued with wisdom: to wit, by God, who by the work of creation infused the same into their natures.]
25. The Arts are a weak people: [That is, a kind of unreasonable creatures. So in the next verse] yet they prepare their meat [Hebr. Bread] in the summer. [concerning the application of this example unto man, see above chap.6.6, etc.]
26. The Conies [See Lev.11.on v.5. and of the same creature, Deut.14.7. and Psa.104.18. Oth. Mountain-mice, or bear-mice, because the cony in those countries hath not her holes or burrows in the rocks] are a feeble folk, yet make their house [or hole, or nest, or burrow. Compare Job 8:14. Psa.84.4. and 104.17.] in the rock. [to wit, mixed with earth and sand.]
27. The Grass-hoppers have no King: yet go yet they all forth, dividing themselves (into heaps.) [That is, as it were in battle array marching into the field, that so, keeping their bands and force together, they might be the more dreadful and terrible, and not so easily driven away from their pasture. Oth. Gathered together, or assembled into one, or they go all forth shooting, to all (as) an arrow, or cutting all asunder; that is, devouring, eating down all.]
28. The spider [Oth. The Ape] taketh hold with (her) hands [meaning her paws which she maketh use of, not only for to go upon them, but also to make her web withal, for to catch flies and ganats in] and is in Kings palaces. [to wit, where she is in most danger of being hunted away and killed, and in more fear for to do her work.]
29. These three make a good pace, yea there be four [Compare this phrase with Job 5:19. and the annotate.] that make a good going. [After the recital of four small, weak and fearful creatures, there are here represented and held forth four great, strong and undaunted creatures, which do exhort and stir us up courage and boldness in our calling.]
30. The old Lion [The word in the Original signifieth properly a Lion, who with his great age, hath also great boldness and courage. Compare above chap.5.on v.11.] strong among the beasts. [that is, the strongest of beasts. So Jos.14.15. Great among the Anakims; that is, the greatest of the Anakims. Item Cant.1.8. fair among women; that is, the fairest of women] who will not turn away for any, to wit, neither for man nor beast, that might come against him.]
31. A Grey-hound of good loins: [The word rendered here Grey-hound, etc. Hath its original from the Hebrew zeraz; that is, to spread: or as others conceive from the Chalde zeraz; that is, to spread: or as others conceive from the Chalde zeraz; that is, to tuck up, or dress up; and therefore there is meant by it a creature, that is in it self stout and courageous, well set in regard of his body, and strong and lusty in his feet, and ready for the work he is set about, which others conceive to sit the horse well. See Job 39:22. Others translate it a cock, or leopard of good liones, or an he-goat; [who goeth very proudly and stately with an exalted head (or an head lifted up) before his flock. The Grecian Empire, which subdued the Persian, is resembled to an he-goat, Dan.8.3, etc.] and a King, who is not to be resisted.
32. If thou hast done foolishly, in lifting up thy self, [To wit, unto wrath, whereof mention is made in the following verse, which dependeth on this verse] and if thou hast thought evil; (lay) thine hand upon (thy) mouth. [that is, turn thy self and take heed of speaking, much less of doing the evil which thou intendest, and excuse not thy former wrath, see Job 21.on v.5.]
33. For the pressing of milk [That is, the churning of milk] bringeth forth butter; and the pressing of the nose [that is, the hard blowing of the nose] bringeth forth blood; and the pressing of wrath [that is, the kindling of wrath; to wit, as well his, that by wrath provoketh another unto wrath, as his, that is provoked unto wrath] bringeth forth strife.