PROVERBS—NOTE ON PROVERBS 30:1 The Sayings of Agur. The identity of Agur, son of Jakeh, is unknown. One claim is that the word translated ORACLE actually should be the proper name “Massa,” so that v. Proverbs 30:1 would read, “AGUR SON OF JAKEH, the man of Massa” (see esv footnote). If so, then it m... [ Continue Reading ]
PROVERBS—NOTE ON PROVERBS 30:2 I AM TOO STUPID TO BE A MAN. Wisdom texts often begin with a teacher proclaiming that he is wise and so his words ought to be obeyed. Here, Agur does just the opposite: he confesses that he is not learned in wisdom (vv. Proverbs 30:2). Agur then asks a series of rhetor... [ Continue Reading ]
PROVERBS—NOTE ON PROVERBS 30:5 EVERY WORD OF GOD PROVES TRUE (compare 2 Samuel 22:31). God’s WORDS are a proven foundation for one’s life. The proverb’s emphasis on every “word” underscores the truthfulness, trustworthiness, and reliability of the Bible, not just in its overall message but also in e... [ Continue Reading ]
PROVERBS—NOTE ON PROVERBS 30:7 This is the only prayer in Proverbs 1:1. Agur asks for TWO THINGS. The first request (REMOVE FAR FROM ME FALSEHOOD AND LYING) probably implies both that he does not want to become a liar and that he does not want to have people lie to him. The second request (GIVE ME N... [ Continue Reading ]
PROVERBS—NOTE ON PROVERBS 30:15 The LEECH has TWO DAUGHTERS, both named GIVE. The saying probably alludes to the two suckers on a leech’s body. It may have been a common way to describe a selfish or demanding person. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.... [ Continue Reading ]
PROVERBS—NOTE ON PROVERBS 30:17 This is actually a curse. Agur obviously regards respect for parents as supremely important (see v. Proverbs 30:11). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
PROVERBS—NOTE ON PROVERBS 30:18 The EAGLE, the SERPENT, and the SHIP leave no trail. The relationship of a MAN and a VIRGIN, if it is chaste, likewise leaves no observable change. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
PROVERBS—NOTE ON PROVERBS 30:21 These four persons are unbearable because they have been given things they have no capacity to handle wisely. A modern example would be a person promoted above his ability level. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length... [ Continue Reading ]
PROVERBS—NOTE ON PROVERBS 30:29 The KING is the main point here; the animals serve as comparisons. The lesson is that a king’s majesty is in his subjects (see Proverbs 14:28). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]