Tyndale Open Study NotesProverbs 30

Agur admits he does not know everything (compare Psalm 73:22, where the psalmist calls himself senseless). The first step toward wisdom is admitting our ignorance.

• This superscription likely refers to all of Proverbs 30.

• Agur son of Jakeh: Besides this mention, Agur and Jakeh are not known. If “from Massa” is correct, as some translations use, then Agur was not an Israelite (the tribe of Massa is known from Assyrian texts).

Unlike Agur's lack of knowledge and power, God's strength and wisdom are evident (compare Psalm 18:30). This is encouraging to Agur, as he knows God protects everyone who seeks Him.

Agur asks God for two things:

1. Help to avoid lying (compare Proverbs 6:16–19; 14:5, 25; 25:18; 26:18–19)

2. To not have too much or too little

Being rich (Proverbs 3:9–10, 15–16; 10:15, 22) or poor (3:27; 11:24; 28:27; 29:7, 14) is not sinful, but Agur wisely wants to avoid the problems of both.

These verses describe traits that wise people dislike. Fools:

• Disrespect their parents (Proverbs 10:1; 20:20; Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16)

• Deceive themselves (Proverbs 8:7)

• Think they are clean when they are not (Proverbs 20:9)

• Are proud (Proverbs 6:17–18; 11:2; 13:10; 15:33; 16:18; 18:12; 19:20; 29:23)

• Hurt others with their words (teeth like swords, see Proverbs 25:18)

• Harm the poor (Proverbs 3:27; 11:24; 28:27; 29:7, 14)

• The number parallelism (three...four) is a method to list poetic examples. This list shows powers that are never satisfied and often dangerous. See also Proverbs 30:18–19, 21–23, 29–31.

• The grave, representing death, never seems to have enough—people keep dying (Proverbs 27:20).

• barren womb: Women unable to have children often long for them, like Sarah before Isaac, Rebekah before Esau and Jacob, and Hannah before Samuel.

• The thirsty desert and a fire consume everything in their path.

People who are unkind to their parents may face a harsh fate (see Proverbs 10:1; 19:26; 28:24; 29:3; 30:11).

The writer is amazed at how one thing affects another.

The writer is shocked by sex outside of marriage.

• This proverb lists four things that make the earth tremble because they disrupt the natural order.

• who is filled with food: In the ancient Near East, as in many non-industrialized parts of the world today, having enough food was a sign of prosperity.

Here is another example of number parallelism: small, seemingly insignificant animals can be surprisingly powerful and resourceful.