Proverbs Chapter 30

At a Glance

  • Proverbs 30 presents two distinct voices: Agur’s reflective, almost prayerful inquiries, and the rhetorical sections that frame the humility and limits of human wisdom.
  • Historical & Literary Context.
  • Agur’s chapter stands apart as a rare speaker in Proverbs; a distinct voice introducing philosophical reflection on wisdom, existence, and the nature of God’s purity.
  • - Humility before God: Acknowledging human limitations and the greatness of God.
  • - The purity and sufficiency of divine revelation: God’s words are trustworthy and not to be added to or subtracted from.

Chapter Overview

Proverbs 30 presents two distinct voices: Agur’s reflective, almost prayerful inquiries, and the rhetorical sections that frame the humility and limits of human wisdom. Agur openly confesses his own lack of wisdom compared to God’s majesty (lines about being brutish, having little understanding, and not knowing the holy). The centerpiece is a high Christ-like core claim about the words of God: every word of God is pure, a shield to those who trust Him, with a strong admonition against adding to His words (verses 5–6). Agur then asks for two things: contentment that avoids riches or poverty and freedom from vanity and lies (verses 7–9). This sets a pragmatic, spiritual balance: trust in God’s provision while resisting the extremes of abundance or want that can derail faith.

The chapter continues with poignant observations about human behavior: a generation that curses parents, those who think themselves pure though unwashed, and a discerning look at the perils of pride, scheming, and the predatory behaviors of those who would exploit the poor. The proverbial lines about desire, death, and the relentless appetite for more (verses 15–16) remind readers that some hunger cannot be sated simply by wealth. Astonishingly, the oracle enumerates wonders that are beyond human comprehension and ends with a mirror of humility: four things too wonderful for me. The tone is contemplative, the content deeply ethical, and the message is to ground human speech and ambition within the divine reality that surpasses human reach.

Historical & Literary Context

Agur’s chapter stands apart as a rare speaker in Proverbs; a distinct voice introducing philosophical reflection on wisdom, existence, and the nature of God’s purity. The blend of personal humility, ethical cautions, and concise maxims marks a bridge between traditional proverbs and meditative, almost theological reflections. The chapter’s famous opening and its emphasis on God’s pure Word (verses 5–6) resonates with later biblical themes about revelation, scripture, and divine wisdom. Its genre remains Wisdom literature, yet Agur’s style leans into an existential meditation that invites the reader to slow down and reflect on limits of human knowledge and power. Placed after the preceding chapters’ practical ethics, Proverbs 30 deepens the reader’s understanding of wisdom as anchored in God’s sovereignty and a posture of humble reliance on divine guidance.

Key Themes

- Humility before God: Acknowledging human limitations and the greatness of God.

- The purity and sufficiency of divine revelation: God’s words are trustworthy and not to be added to or subtracted from.

- Contentment and avoidance of extremes: Prayer for neither poverty nor riches, but daily provision.

- Ethical living in the face of human folly: Cautions about pride, deceit, and the predatory behavior of certain generations.

- Wonder and mystery of creation: Recognizing many things are beyond comprehension.

Modern Application

Proverbs 30 invites modern readers to cultivate a grounded faith that resists the tyranny of wealth and the lure of superiority. It calls individuals to practice contentment, ethical discernment, and reliance on God’s truth as a compass for life. The emphasis on not adding to God’s words encourages careful biblical interpretation and humility in doctrine and practice. In a culture of information overload, Agur’s warning against pride and self-sufficiency challenges readers to pursue wisdom with humility, recognizing that some mysteries belong to God alone. The chapter’s reflection on truth-telling, integrity, and social conduct offers guidance for personal ethics, leadership, and spiritual formation. It encourages readers to seek daily bread with gratitude and to avoid both spiritual arrogance and existential despair by anchoring life in God’s steadfastness.

Cross-References (3–5)

- Psalm 12:6 (the words of the Lord are pure)

- Job 28 (wisdom and the limits of human understanding)

- James 1:5 (ask God for wisdom)

- Isaiah 55:8–9 (God’s thoughts higher than ours)

Recommended Personas (3–5)

- Jesus (for themes of humble reliance and the sufficiency of God’s word)

- Moses (for the law’s authority and discipline)

- A Prophet/Intercessor (to translate humility into mission)

- A Wisdom Sage (to illuminate the paradox of human limitation and divine abundance)

Chapter Text

1

The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, even the prophecy: the man spake unto Ithiel, even unto Ithiel and Ucal,

2

Surely I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man.

3

I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy.

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?

5

Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

6

Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

7

Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die:

8

Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:

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.

10

Accuse not a servant unto his master, lest he curse thee, and thou be found guilty.

11

There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.

12

There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.

13

There is a generation, O how lofty are their eyes! and their eyelids are lifted up.

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.

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:

16

The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that saith not, It is enough.

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.

18

There be three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not:

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.

20

Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.

21

For three things the earth is disquieted, and for four which it cannot bear:

22

For a servant when he reigneth; and a fool when he is filled with meat;

23

For an odious woman when she is married; and an handmaid that is heir to her mistress.

24

There be four things which are little upon the earth, but they are exceeding wise:

25

The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer;

26

The conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks;

27

The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands;

28

The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings’ palaces.

29

There be three things which go well, yea, four are comely in going:

30

A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any;

31

A greyhound; an he goat also; and a king, against whom there is no rising up.

32

If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth.

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.

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