Proverbs 30:1

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 30:1-6

Some make Agur to be not the name of this author, but his character; he was a collector (so it signifies), a gatherer, one that did not compose things himself, but collected the wise sayings and observations of others, made abstracts of the writings of others, which some think is the reason why he says (Prov. 30:3), ?I have not learned wisdom myself, but have been a scribe, or amanuensis, to other wise and learned men.? Note, We must not bury our talent, though it be but one, but, as we have... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 30:1

The words of Agur the son of Jakeh ,.... Here begins, according to Aben Ezra, the fourth part of this book; though, according to others, it is the fifth; See Gill on Proverbs 22:17 ; Who this Agur was is a matter of doubt; some of the Jewish writers, as Jarchi and Gersom, and likewise some Christian writers F6 De Dieu, Cocceius, Teelman. Specimen. Explicat. Parabot. p. 378. , take him to be Solomon himself, who calls himself Agur, which is said to signify "a gatherer"; and so the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 30:1

The words of Agur the son of Jakeh - The words Agur, Jakeh, Ithiel, and Ucal, have been considered by some as proper names: by others, as descriptive characters. With some, Agur is Solomon; and Jakeh, David; and Ithiel and Ural are epithets of Christ. The Vulgate translates, Verba congregantis filii vomentis: visio, quam locutus est sir, cum quo est Deus, et qui Deo secum morante confortatus, ait . "The words of the collector, the son of the vomiter: the vision of the man who has God... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 30:1

The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, even the prophecy. This seems to be the correct rendering of the passage, though it has been made to bear very different interpretations. It is plainly the tide of the treatise which follows Wire Agur and Jakeh were is utterly unknown. The Jewish interpreters considered that "Agur son of Jakeh" was an allegorical designation of Solomon —Agur meaning "Gatherer," or "Convener" (see Ecclesiastes 1:1 ; Ecclesiastes 12:11 ); Jakeh , "Obedient," or... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 30:1-4

The weary search for God If we read Proverbs 30:1 thus: "Words of Agur the son of the Princess of Masse. The man's saying, I have wearied myself about God, wearied myself about God—then did I withdraw!" we are led to the contemplation of one who has grown tired and despairing in a hopeless search for God. I. IT IS NATURAL FOR MAN TO SEEK GOD . Agur appears to have lived far away from the borders of the favoured land of Israel. If he was a Jew, he was one in exile,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 30:1-6

Agur's sayings: God's Word the fountain of all wisdom These are the words, probably, of a believer in Jehovah who was a stranger in a foreign land. Among the sworn foes of Israel and her faith, we have in him an example of Puritan rectitude, of unflinching fidelity to conscience, that is highly instructive. The purity of God's eternal truth, and the safety of all believers in him ( Proverbs 30:5 ),—this is his simple and sublime leading theme. I. THE BEING OF GOD AN ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 30:1-6

Reverence and docility Whoever Agur may have been, it is certain that he was a sage who could express his thoughts in strong and trenchant language. If, as seems probable, these opening words had reference to the compliments or the questions of his disciples, we may glean, before we proceed further, three lessons by the way. 1 . That rightful acknowledgment too easily passes into adulation. 2 . That it is a very easy thing for the uninstructed to ask questions which the most... 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

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 30:1

Proverbs 30:1. The words of Agur Who this Agur was no one has ever yet been able to show: it is probable, however, that both he and Jakeh, his father, were well known in Israel at the time this chapter and the next were added to the preceding parts of the proverbs. Jakeh is thought to have lived either in Solomon’s time or soon after, and to have been famous in his generation for wisdom and piety; even the prophecy The prophetical instruction; for as prophets were public preachers as... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Proverbs 30:1-9

30:1-31:31 OTHER COLLECTIONS OF WISE SAYINGSThe personal testimony of Agur (30:1-9)Agur, some of whose sayings are collected here, was apparently a well known wisdom teacher in the Palestine region. He begins his instruction with a confession that though he longs to know God he cannot, because he is merely a man. No human being can do the great works God has done. Agur challenges his hearers to tell him the name of any person (or the name of that person’s son, if they prefer) who has been to... read more

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