Proverbs 30:16-22

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 30:19

The way of an eagle - I borrow, with thanks, the very sensible note of the Rev. Mr. Holden on this passage. "The particle כן ken plainly shows that Proverbs 30:19 ; and Proverbs 30:20 ; are to be taken in connection; consequently, it is a comparison between the way of an adulterous woman, and the way of the things here described. "The adulterous woman goes about in search of her deluded victim, like as the eagle takes its flight into the air to spy out its prey. She uses every... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 30:21

For three things the earth is disquieted, and for four which it cannot bear - This is another enigma. Four things insupportable to men. 1. A slave, when he becomes ruler. 2. An overfed fool. 3. An ill-tempered woman, when mistress of a family. And, 4. A servant maid, when the rule of the house is committed to her. A slave, when he comes to bear rule, is an unprincipled tyrant. It has been often observed both in America and in the West Indies, when it was judged necessary to arm some of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 30:1-33

Part VII. FIRST APPENDIX TO THE SECOND COLLECTION , containing "the words of Agur." A short introduction, teaching that the Word of God is the source of wisdom ( Proverbs 30:1-6 ), is followed by apothegms on different subjects ( Proverbs 30:7-33 ). Cornelius a Lapide offers the following opinion concerning this appendix, which no one can hesitate to say is well founded, if he attempts to give it a spiritual interpretation, and to discern mysteries under the literal... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 30:11-31

contain six groups of four sentences each, each quaternion having a certain connection in language and concinnity of idea. First ( Proverbs 30:11-14 ) come four generations that are evil—four being taken as the symbol of universality. The sins herein specified had become so general that they affected the whole generation. 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

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 30:19

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 30:21

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 30:1-33

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 30:11-31

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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