Proverbs 30:18-31

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 30:18-23

Here is, I. An account of four things that are unsearchable, too wonderful to be fully known. And here, 1. The first three are natural things, and are only designed as comparisons for the illustration of the last. We cannot trace, (1.) An eagle in the air. Which way she has flown cannot be discovered either by the footstep or by the scent, as the way of a beast may upon ground; nor can we account for the wonderful swiftness of her flight, how soon she has gone beyond our ken. (2.) A serpent... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Proverbs 30:24-28

I. Agur, having specified four things that seem great and yet are really contemptible, here specifies four things that are little and yet are very admirable, great in miniature, in which, as bishop Patrick observes, he teaches us several good lessons; as, 1. Not to admire bodily bulk, or beauty, or strength, nor to value persons or think the better of them for such advantages, but to judge of men by their wisdom and conduct, their industry and application to business, which are characters that... read more

Matthew Henry

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 30:18

There be three things which are too wonderful for me ,.... Which were above his reach and comprehension; what he could not find out, nor account for, nor sufficiently admire; yea, four things which I know not ; the way of them; as follows. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 30:19

The way of an eagle in the air ,.... And so of any other bird; but this is mentioned, because it flies swiftest, and soars highest: but the way in which it goes is not known, nor can it be seen with the eye; it cuts the air, and passes through it, but leaves no track behind it which may be pointed to, and it may be said, that is the way the eagle took and flew towards heaven out of sight; the way of a serpent upon a rock ; a smooth hard rock; and wonderful it is that it should creep up... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 30:20

Such is the way of an adulterous woman ,.... It is equally unknown as the way of a man with a maid; it is difficult to detect her, she takes so much care and caution, and uses so many artful methods to conceal her wickedness from her husband; though she lives in adultery, it is in a most private manner, and carried on so secretly and artfully that she is not easily discovered; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth ; like one that eats what he should not, wipes his mouth that it might not be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 30:21

For three things the earth is disquieted ,.... The inhabitants of it are made very uneasy; and for four which it cannot bear ; they are a load and burden upon it, and are intolerable to those that dwell on it, and make them very uncomfortable. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 30:22

For a servant, when he reigneth ,.... Being unfit for it through his education, not having been trained up in and learned the arts of government and maxims of it; and through the disposition of his mind, which is mean, abject, and servile; and as he has been used himself when a servant, so he will use others F3 "Nec bellua tetrior ulla est, quam servi rabies in libera colla furentis", Claudian. in Eutrop. l. 1. v. 183, 184. and through his circumstances, being poor, he will take... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 30:23

For an odious woman , when she is married ,.... Odious for her person, her ugliness, and the deformity of her body; or rather for the ill qualities of her mind, which, while single, she endeavours to conceal, but, being married, hides them no longer; but becomes imperious, proud, scornful, and malicious, and behaves in an ill natured way to her husband and all about her, to such a degree, that there is no bearing the place where she is; and an handmaid, that is heir to her mistress ;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 30:24

There be four things which are little upon the earth ,.... Small in bulk, that have little bodies, are the lesser sort of animals; but they are exceeding wise ; show a great deal of art and wisdom in what they do; or "but they are wise, made wise" F5 חכמים מחכמים "sapientia, sapientia imbuta"; Heb. "sapientificata", Piscator, Gejerus. by the instinct of nature, by the direction of Providence, by which they do things that are surprising. Some versions, that have no regard to... read more

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