FocusHuman limits and ordered observations
Proverbs 30:1
KJVThe words of Agur the son of Jakeh, even the prophecy: the man spake unto Ithiel, even unto Ithiel and Ucal,
Agur's words combine confession of limited understanding, prayer, and numerical sayings about the world and human conduct.
- 30:1 The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, even the prophecy: the man spake unto Ithiel, even unto Ithiel and Ucal,
- 30:2 Surely I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man.
- 30:3 I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy.
- 30:4 Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is his name, and what is his son's name, if thou canst tell?
- 30:5 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
- 30:6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
- 30:7 Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die:
- 30:8 Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:
- 30:9 Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.
- 30:10 Accuse not a servant unto his master, lest he curse thee, and thou be found guilty.
- 30:11 There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.
- 30:12 There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.
- 30:13 There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.
- 30:14 There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.
- 30:15 The horseleach hath two daughters, crying, Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, yea, four things say not, It is enough:
- 30:16 The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that saith not, It is enough.
- 30:17 The eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.
- 30:18 There be three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not:
- 30:19 The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock; the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid.
- 30:20 Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.
- 30:21 For three things the earth is disquieted, and for four which it cannot bear:
- 30:22 For a servant when he reigneth; and a fool when he is filled with meat;
- 30:23 For an odious woman when she is married; and an handmaid that is heir to her mistress.
- 30:24 There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise:
- 30:25 The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;
- 30:26 The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks;
- 30:27 The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands;
- 30:28 The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings' palaces.
- 30:29 There be three things which go well, yea, four are comely in going:
- 30:30 A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any;
- 30:31 A greyhound; an he goat also; and a king, against whom there is no rising up.
- 30:32 If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth.
- 30:33 Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Solomon is the principal named contributor, with additional sayings of the wise, Agur, and King Lemuel's mother's instruction. Hezekiah's men are credited with copying a collection of Solomon's proverbs. Biblical references: Proverbs 1:1; Proverbs 22:17; Proverbs 25:1; Proverbs 30:1; Proverbs 31:1. stated in the text
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Proverbs 30:1–30:33): Agur's words address the named hearers and the wisdom audience, using observations, prayer, and numerical sayings. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Learners seeking wisdom, especially the young and inexperienced, as well as wise readers seeking further understanding. The repeated son-address presents parental or teacherly instruction. Biblical references: Proverbs 1:4; Proverbs 1:5; Proverbs 1:8. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? The Words of Agur. Read Proverbs 30:1 through Proverbs 30:33 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? Agur's words combine confession of limited understanding, prayer, and numerical sayings about the world and human conduct. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The book identifies more than one collection, including proverbs copied by Hezekiah's men. It does not give a date for the origin of every individual saying. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The instruction draws on household, workplace, city gate, court, and other everyday settings. Many sayings describe a general situation rather than one dated incident. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in The Words of Agur (Proverbs 30:1 to Proverbs 30:33). Start reading at Proverbs 30:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The New Testament identifies Christ with the wisdom of God. Relating wisdom instruction to Him is a canonical connection; the personification of wisdom should not automatically be treated as a literal description of Christ's origin. See Proverbs 25:1, 1 Corinthians 1:24, 1 Corinthians 1:30. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Practice truthful speech, teachability, justice, diligence, and self-control. Read proverbial generalizations with their genre in view rather than as guarantees that ignore circumstance or the book's other sayings. interpretation
Cited: Proverbs 30:1, Proverbs 30:33, Proverbs 25:1, 1 Corinthians 1:24, 1 Corinthians 1:30
Who wrote it, and how we know
Related passages
- even Prov 31:1 2 Pet 1:19-21
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Proverbs 30
Proverbs 1:1 Proverbs 10:1 Proverbs 25:1 Proverbs 30:1 Proverbs 31:1
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Proverbs
Proverbs 1:1 Proverbs 10:1 Proverbs 25:1 Proverbs 30:1 Proverbs 31:1
Instruction and wisdom's call
Proverbs 1:1–9:18FocusThe fear of the LORD and the choice of a path
The proverbs of Solomon
Proverbs 10:1–22:16FocusWise and foolish conduct
Words of the wise
Proverbs 22:17–24:34FocusInstruction, justice, and disciplined conduct
Further proverbs of Solomon
Proverbs 25:1–29:27FocusCollected wisdom for life and rule
FocusHuman limits and ordered observations
The words of Lemuel and the capable woman
Proverbs 31:1–31FocusJust rule and faithful work
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.