Proverbs 30:32-33

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 30:29-33

Here is, I. An enumeration of four things which are majestic and stately in their going, which look great:?1. A lion, the king of beasts, because strongest among beasts. Among beasts it is strength that gives the pre-eminence, but it is a pity that it should do so among men, whose wisdom is their honour, not their strength and force. The lion turns not away, nor alters his pace, for fear of any pursuers, since he knows he is too hard for them. Herein the righteous are bold as a lion, that they... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 30:32

If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself ,.... Against a king, against whom there is no rising up; by speaking evil of him, or rebelling against him; which is acting a foolish part, since it brings a man into troubles and difficulties inextricable; or by self-commendation, which is the height of folly, and the fruit of pride; or carried it in such a haughty and overbearing manner to others, as to provoke to wrath and anger; or if thou hast thought evil ; purposed and designed... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 30:33

Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter ,.... Or the pressing of it. This is a thing well known and certain, that of milk, when pressed out of the udder, and put into a churn, and there is shook together, by a constant violent agitation or motion, called churning, butter is produced; and cheese is sometimes called pressed milk F25 "Pressi copia lactis", Virgil. Bucolic. eclog. 1. v. 82. "Et lactia massa coacti", Ovid. Metamorph. l. 8. v. 666. , and is pressed with the runnet,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 30:32

If thou hast done foolishly - And who has not, at one time or other of his life? Lay thine hand upon thy mouth - Like the leper; and cry to God, Unclean! unclean! and keep silence to all besides. God will blot out thy offense, and neither the world nor the Church ever know it, for he is merciful; and man is rarely able to pass by a sin committed by his fellows, especially if it be one to which himself is by nature not liable or inclined. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 30:33

And the wringing - Who hugeli snytith drawith out blood. - Old MS. Bible. This is well expressed in homely phrase. The Septuagint have, "draw the milk, and you may have butter; if you press the nostrils you may bring out blood; and if you draw out your discourse to a great length, you may have strife and contention." Avoid, therefore, all strong excitements and irritations. Coverdale's translation of this verse is very simple: "Whoso chyrneth mylck maketh butter; he that rubbeth his nose... 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 30:32

If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself ( Numbers 16:3 ). If thou hast had the folly to be arrogant, proud, and overbearing in conduct. Or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth. The verb zamam , though possibly used in a bad sense, "to devise evil," is more suitably rendered "to meditate," "purpose;" so here it is the thought of lifting up one's self that is censured, the act and the thought being contrasted. Hast thou acted arrogantly, or even only meditated... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 30:32

Self-suppression I. WHEN SELF - SUPPRESSION IS NEEDED . It is not always equally demanded of us. There are times for expression, times when we should break reserve and give forth freely the thoughts and purposes of our souls. But other times demand peculiar self-suppression. 1 . In rebuke of foolish vanity . "If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself." A magnified image of self needs to be reduced. Too much pretension must be humbled. Selfish ambition must be cast... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 30:32-33

Agur's last proverb, exhorting to discreet demeanour. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 30:32-33

Moral prudence I. IT TEACHES THE CONTROL OF THE TONGUE . The folly and pride of the heart may be choked, if expression is denied them on the tongue. No evil or foolish thought is full born till it is clothed in words. Give no formula to the momentary impulse of wrath or other passion, and the soul of evil will perish if it find no body to inhabit. II. IT POINTS TO CONSEQUENCES . The quaint illustrations of Agur exhibit the certainty of evil consequences to evil... read more

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