Proverbs 30 Study Notes

30:1 On Jakeh and the pronouncement, see the textual footnote at v. 1. Agur, the author of this chapter (cp. 1:1; 31:1), and Ithiel and Ucal, the recipients, are otherwise unknown. These proverbs, though written for specific individuals, have application for all people. An oracle is a message from God (2Kg 9:25; Ezk 12:10; Mal 1:1; cp. Jr 23:33-40). Oration (Hb ne’um), which usually announces a declaration of the Lord (Gn 22:16; 1Sm 2:30; Hg 2:4), is used twice for the “oracle” or “proclamation” of men (Nm 24:3,15; 2Sm 23:1).

30:2-3 Some men claim to have a grasp on God. What Job eventually came to realize (Jb 40:4), Agur reverently states at the beginning: I have no knowledge of the Holy One.

30:4 Gathering wind and binding waters refer to God’s control of thunderstorms, which are important for the agricultural cycle. Asking about God’s name is asking whether the hearer knows his character. His son could refer to Israel (Hs 11:1) or to anyone whom God teaches (Dt 8:5; Heb 12:6), but Jesus fulfilled the role perfectly (Mt 2:15; Lk 9:35).

30:5-6 Though only God has access to heaven (v. 4), God’s word is accessible to all (Dt 30:11-14). Agur does not give reasons that God’s word is pure and complete; that would make human reason the determination of the value of God’s word. His words include this inspired word from Agur. We are tempted to add to God’s word to make it conform to us, instead of the other way around.

30:7-9 This prayer is comparable to Jesus’s model prayer (Mt 6:9-13). Both ask God’s protection from temptation; both ask for basic needs to be met (1Tm 6:8; cp. Php 4:12); both are concerned with upholding God’s honor. The indulgent person may become a liar and a mocker (Ex 5:2); the destitute person may become a thief (Pr 6:30). The thief profanes God by implying that God can’t provide.

30:10 A servant could be a slave or an official. A wronged person can cry out to God and bring guilt on the wrongdoer (Dt 15:9).

30:11-14 A generation is a group of people of a certain time with certain characteristics in common. Jesus condemned an evil “generation” of his day (Mt 11:16; 12:39-45; 17:17).

30:11 On curses, see note at 20:20.

30:12 Filth is literally “excrement” (Dt 23:13; 2Kg 18:27; Ezk 4:12). It refers figuratively to obvious, detestable sin.

30:13-14 Arrogance leads to exploitation.

30:15-16 The blood-sucking leech takes without contributing. Until God restores paradise (Rm 8:19-22; Rv 21:1), Sheol and fire will always try to destroy, and the womb and the soil will always strive to produce (Gn 3:16-17).

30:17 The eye that ridicules indicates a haughty person (v. 13).

30:18-20 A man is a strong, virile man (20:24), and the young woman is of marriageable age, presumably a virgin (Gn 24:43; Is 7:14). If Pr 30:18-19 stand alone, the point might be that the progress of love is as marvelous and mysterious as the motion of the other three items. If v. 20 is connected to the saying, the interpretation is far different. The first three things leave no tracks. The man, like the adulteress who wipes her mouth, thinks fornication with the young woman leaves no trace. (The adulteress thinks sex is as casual and amoral as a meal.) However, in the end there are consequences (5:4; 14:12). These things are too wondrous for Agur (Jb 42:3; Ps 131:1), but God knows (Jr 32:17).

30:21-23 This could be a humorous observation or a serious commentary on the collapse of social order. The servant could be an official who seized the kingdom. On fool, see note at 17:7. Unloved is literally “hated”; it may refer to a wicked woman who was rightly rejected. All these become destructive when they move into a position they should not be in.

30:24-28 A perceptive person can learn from observing God’s creation (6:6-8; cp. 24:32). Each of these small animals overcomes potentially fatal limitations. Ants and hyraxes are metaphorically called people as if they were a nationality. Ants show forethought. A hyrax (Procavia syriacus) is a herbivore the size of a rabbit that lives in herds in cavities among the rocks. Wise men also rely on the Lord as their rock of protection. Locusts have unity of purpose, maintaining ranks without infighting. The lizard (or spider) is vulnerable, yet it can be found in unexpected places.

30:29-31 Stately is literally “good”; that is, they excel in the quality of their stride. The lion is literally a “hero” (1Sm 17:51). Each of these is supreme in its realm. The phrase that modifies the king is obscure.

30:32-33 On foolish, see note at 17:7. Putting one’s hand over one’s mouth means to immediately stop speaking out of fear (Jdg 18:19; Jb 21:5; 40:4; Mc 7:16). Churning . . . twisting, and stirring up are all the same word in Hebrew, which has to do with force or pressure and twisting or wringing. The scheming social climber is cautioned that his maneuverings will inevitably bring violence against him.