Proverbs 30

This and the next chapter form the Fifth Part of the Book, and contain the teaching of sages otherwise unknown. It is believed by some that Agur was a public teacher, and that Ithiel and Ucal were two of his disciples. Agur means “Collector,” and the names of the disciples may be symbolical—Ithiel, “God is with me,” and Ucal, “I am able.”

Some critics, however, make slight changes in the Hebrew points, and render the verse thus: “The words of Agur, the son of her who was obeyed in Massa. Thus spake the man: I have toiled for God (i.e., to comprehend God), I have toiled for God, and have ceased. For I am” (2), etc.

1 the prophecy. Or, “oracle,” R.V. The Hebrew word for the oracle or “burden” of a Divine message is massa: see note above.

spake. The word elsewhere applied to Divine communications is here used; see Gen. xxii. 16; Psa. cx. 1.

more brutish. Or, “stupid.” Agur speaks thus humbly of his own acquisitions, in contrast with the “word of God” (5).

3 the holy. Either, “the Most Holy”; or, “holy things.”

5 pure. Or, “tried” (R.V.); or, Heb., “purified.”

6. Add thou not. The “purity” just mentioned cannot be sullied by human admixture.

8 food convenient for me. Lit., “the bread of my portion,” as in Gen. xlvii. 22; or, “my due,” Lev. x. 13, 14; i.e., what is sufficient for me. “Nourris-moi du pain de mon ordinaire” (“Feed me with bread for my ordinary use”) (French version).

9 take the name of my God in vain. Heb., “handle the name of my God”; i.e., profane it. Wealth often produces self-sufficiency, and thus leads to forgetfulness of God; while poverty frequently leads to dishonesty and impious murmuring against Him.

11 a generation. Or, “class of men.” This and the three following verses point out four hateful vices prevalent in Agur’s day: filial ingratitude, hypocrisy, pride, and oppression or extortion.

15. The horseleech. This and the next verse may be an illustration of the insatiableness of the oppressors just mentioned. The word crying is not in the Hebrew, and the sense is probably that of R.V. marg., “The horseleech hath two daughters [called] Give, Give.” The horseleech haunts the Syrian lakes in countless millions, and was often taken as a personification of rapacious greed.

16. The grave. Heb., “Sheol.”

17. The eye that mocketh at his father, etc. By the law of Moses, an obstinately disobedient son was to be punished with death.

that is heir to her mistress. One who supplants her mistress in the affections of her husband.

25 prepare their meat (food). Cp. vi. 7, 8, and note. Ants are called “a people,” as if in reference to their organised action. So locusts, Joel ii. 2.

26 conies. Rather, “rock-badgers” (Hyrax Syriacus); see note on Lev. xi. 5; cp. Psa. civ. 18.

28. The spider. Or, “the lizard” (R.V.). The Hebrew word is one that is only used here.

29 which go well. Or, “which are stately in their march; yea, four which are stately in going” (R.V.).

31. A greyhound. Lit., “compressed of loins”: an epithet which some apply to the war-horse; others (particularly the ancient versions) to the cock; others to the greyhound; and others to a human warrior girt for fight.

a he-goat. The large Oriental he-goats at the head of a flock march along with much stateliness.

a king, against whom, etc. Or, “when his army is with him” (R.V., marg.).

33. Surely the churning, etc. Rather, “For the pressing of milk brings forth cheese, and the pressing of the nose brings forth blood; so the pressing of anger brings forth strife.” Therefore (see preceding verse), do not open your mouth when you are angry, for otherwise strife will follow: see xvii. 14.