Proverbs 30

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 30:13

A generation, oh, how lofty are their eyes! The third sin is pride and arrogance (see on Proverbs 6:17 ; Proverbs 21:4 ). "Lord," said the psalmist, "my heart is not haughty, nor mine eyes lofty" ( Psalms 131:1 ). The prophet rebukes "the stout heart of the King of Assyria and the glory of his high looks" ( Isaiah 10:12 ). Their eyelids are lifted up; in supercilious disdain. "Inde Proverbio dicimus," says Erasmus ('Adag.'), "attolli supercilium, fastidium indicantes" ( s . v .... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 30:14

A generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives. The fourth evil is insatiable cupidity, which leads to oppression and injurious treatment of the helpless and poor, which makes men as cruel and remorseless in destroying others and despoiling them of their substance, as the very steel which they use in their operations. Similarly, the psalmist speaks of his enemies as men "whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword" ( Psalms 57:4 ; comp. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 30:14

From cruelty to kindness To those who are even ordinarily humane, the accounts which are sometimes given of horrible cruelty seem to be barely credible; it is difficult to understand how a heart that is anywise human can hold such fearful feelings as are thus expressed. On the other hand, to those who have been brutalized by the long practice of cruelty, it is often found almost incredible that men and women can be capable of great generosity either of heart or hand. From the lowest depth... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 30:15

The horseleach hath two daughters, crying, Give, give. The word "crying" is not in the Hebrew, which says, "The alukah hath two daughters: Give! Give!" The insatiable appetite of this creature is represented by two words, which are personified as daughters, whom the mother has produced and dearly loves. This word alukah is not found again in the Old Testament; but in later Hebrew and in Aramaic it means "leech" or "bloodsucker;" and so it is translated by the Septuagint, βδέλλα , and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 30:15-16

Having spoken of insatiate cupidity, the writer now introduces four things which are insatiable. The form of the apothegm is climacteric, mounting from two to three, and thence to four, like the famous passage in Amos 1:3 , etc. (comp. Proverbs 6:16 , though there is no special stress there laid on the last member of the climax; Job 5:19 ; Job 33:29 ; Ecclesiastes 11:2 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 30:15-16

Reflections on the insatiable I. THE EXTERNAL LIFE IS THE MIRROR OF THE INTERNAL . Our spirit finds analogies to itself in the objects of nature, of history, and in the general course of human life. And all that we observe there , in the great world, may serve as a light to reveal to us what passes here , in the world of each man's heart. II. IMAGES OF INSATIABLE APPETITE . Hades; the barren womb; the thirsty earth; the all-devouring fire. The vampire,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 30:15-16

The unsatisfied human heart There are many things in nature which are not satisfied; but there is one thing in that which is above nature which is much less easily satisfied—an intelligent, responsible, immortal spirit. I. THE INSATIABLE IN NATURE . Agur specifies four things; in these we find three features which supply a contrast to the craving of the human soul. The insatiable: 1 . Limited by consciousness . The grave never says, "It is enough;" though millions have... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 30:16

The four insatiable things are now named: first, the grave, sheol ( Proverbs 27:20 ), which can never be filled with its victims. Horace talks of a man as— " Victima nil miserantis Orci ." ('Carm.,' 2.3, 24.) And Hesiod of Hades as— νηλεὲς ἧτορ ἔχων "A heart possessing that no pity knows." The second thing is the barren womb; "the closing of the womb," as Genesis 20:18 ; Isaiah 66:9 . The burning desire for children, characteristic of an Israelitish wife, is here... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 30:17

This is an independent proverb, only connected with the preceding by being founded on an allusion to an animal. The eye that mocketh at his father. The eye is named as the mind's instrument for expressing scorn and insubordination; it is the index to the inner feeling; and look may be as sinful as action. And despiseth to obey his mother ; i . e . holds obedience to his mother to be a thing of no importance whatever. The word translated "to obey" ( ליקהת ) is rendered by St.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 30:17

The punishment of unfilial conduct I. THE DENUNCIATION IS IN FIGURATIVE FORM . II. ITS FULFILMENT LITERALLY HAD BEEN A MATTER OF ACTUAL OBSERVATION . III. THE GENERAL TRUTH MUST BE CARRIED INTO THE LIGHT OF CONSCIENCE . On the whole, as Bishop Butler soundly taught, the constitution of things tends to punish evil and reward good conduct.—J. read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 30:13

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 30:14

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 30:14

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 30:15

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 30:15-16

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 30:15-16

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 30:15-16

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 30:16

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 30:17

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 30:17

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