Bible Commentaries
Proverbs 30

Verse 1

Agur = I shall fear. Probably a master of assemblies, as in Ecclesiastes 12:11 . Nothing is known of him, but we accept all that was in the Scriptures which the Lord Jesus referred to. We know as little of some of the Minor Prophets.

prophecy = oracle, or burden.

man. Hebrew. geber. App-14 .

Ithiel = El [is] with me. App-4 .

Ucal = I shall be able.

Verse 2

Surely = [True it is] that.

man = an educated man, or peer. Hebrew. 'ish . App-14 .

understanding. Hebrew. binih. See note on Proverbs 1:2 .

a man. Hebrew. 'adam : a commoner. App-14 .

Verse 3

learned = have been taught; with emphasis on taught.

wisdom. Hebrew. chakmah. See note on Proverbs 1:2 .

Nor have = Nor yet have I.

the holy = holy ones: or, the Most Holy One.

Verse 4

Who . . . ? Can it mean that the speaker here is the speaker of Proverbs 8:0 ? viz. the "son" of the last clause of this verse?

the wind. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .

Verse 5

word = saying or utterance. Hebrew. imrah. App-73 . The only occurrence of this word in Proverbs.

GOD. Hebrew Eloah. App-4 . The only occurrence of this title in Proverbs. Occurs forty-one times in Job, four times in Psalms, twelve times in the other books.

pure = tried [in a furnace]. Compare Psalms 12:6 .

unto them. Some codices read "unto all them".

put their trust = flee for refuge. Hebrew. hasah. App-69 .

Verse 6

Add thou not, &c. A solemn warning based on Deuteronomy 4:2 ; Deuteronomy 12:32 . Compare Galatians 1:1 , Galatians 1:8 , Galatians 1:9 . Revelation 22:18 , Revelation 22:19 .

reprove thee. Emphatic = send a special reproof unto thee.

Verse 7

Deny = Withhold.

Verse 8

lies = word of falsehood.

poverty = need. Hebrew. rush. See note on Proverbs 6:11 .

Feed me = Cause me to be fed.

food convenient = allowance of food. Compare Job 23:12 .

Verse 9

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

poor: i.e. from being dispossessed. Hebrew. yarash. See note on "poverty", Proverbs 6:11

take the name, &c. = assaileth Jehovah. Not a reference to the second Commandment.

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 . Accuse not a servant = Get not a servant accused. Note the Hiphil here; as in Psalms 101:5 .

Verse 14

poor = needy. Hebrew. 'ain. See note on Proverbs 6:11 . Not the same word as in verses: Proverbs 30:8 , Proverbs 30:9 .

men. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .

Verse 15

horseleach. Occurs only here. It is like the "flesh" in man. In the natural and spiritual spheres "the dose has to be increased".

Verse 16

The grave = Sheol. App-35 .

Verse 17

despiseth to obey = despiseth obedience to.

The ravens, &c. These birds of prey always begin with the eyes of a carcase.

Verse 19

maid. Hebrew. 'almah. See note on Genesis 24:43 . Refers here probably to seduction.

Verse 20

way = manner, or conduct. Compare Psalms 119:9 .

no wickedness = nothing: or, as we say, "no harm". Hebrew. 'aven.

Verse 22

fool. Hebrew. nabal. See note on Proverbs 1:7 .

Verse 23

is heirto = has dispossessed, or become heiress to.

Verse 24

little upon the earth = earth's little ones.

exceeding wise. Hebrew "wise, made wise". Figure of speech Polyptoton. App-6 . The Septuagint and Vulg, render "wiser than the wise".

Verse 25

a people. So are those "made wise" (2 Timothy 3:15 ) who are God's People (Psalms 100:3 ).

not strong = very weak. Figure of speech Tapeinosis. So Romans 5:6 (compare Isaiah 40:29 ; Isaiah 45:24 .Job 12:13; Job 12:13 ).

prepare = will prepare. Hebrews 10:5 .

Verse 26

conies. About the size of a rabbit. Inhabit clefts in the rocks; because, having soft feet, they cannot burrow as a rabbit can. So God's people abide in Christ, their Rock.

houses . . . rocks = house . . . rock. Hebrew singular.

Verse 27

no king. So we have no visible king, yet when "made wise" we see Him Who is invisible (John 14:19 . Compare 1 Peter 1:8 ).

by bands = gathered together. So will God's People. Septuagint renders it by keleusmatos = at one word of command. Same word as the assembling shout in 1 Thessalonians 4:16 . Compare 1 Corinthians 15:23 , "in his own order" or rank.

Verse 28

with her hands. So we, by the hand of faith, shall be found in the palace of the King of kings.

kings' palaces = king's palace.

Verse 32

foolishly = stupidly. Hebrew. nabal. See note on Proverbs 1:7 . Same word as in Proverbs 30:22 .

thought evil = meditated [with evil intent].