Proverbs 30:3 NIV

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 30:3

I neither learned wisdom ,.... Natural wisdom or philosophy, so as to understand the nature of things, and reason about them in a philosophical manner; or political wisdom, so as to know how to govern states, and manage the affairs of kingdoms; or in a lower sphere to transact the affairs of life to any peculiar advantage; he had not a polite or liberal education: or spiritual and evangelical wisdom; that is, not of himself through the mere strength and force of his genius and natural... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 30:3

I neither learned wisdom - I have never been a scholar in any of those schools of the wise men, nor have the knowledge of the holy, קדשים kedoshim , of the saints or holy persons. The Septuagint give this a different turn: yeov dedidace me sofian, kai gnwsin agiwn egnwka; "God hath taught me wisdom, and the knowledge of the saints I have known." This may refer to the patriarchs, prophets, or holy men, that lived before the days of Solomon. That is, the translators might have had... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 30:2-3

Confirms what is said in Proverbs 30:1 concerning the fruitlessness of the investigation there mentioned; the more he sought and studied, the more conscious he became of his own ignorance and of God's incomreprehensibility. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 30:3

I neither learned wisdom. With all my eager longing and striving I did not attain to such wisdom, that I should have the knowledge of the Holy One ; k'doshim , plural of "excellence," like elohim ( Proverbs 9:10 ; Hosea 12:1 (Hebrew); see note on Proverbs 1:20 ; and comp. Ecclesiastes 5:8 ; Ecclesiastes 12:1 ). The knowledge of the all holy God was beyond his grasp ( Job 11:7 , etc.). Theology is a higher science than metaphysics, and cannot be reached by that ladder. The... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 30:2-3

Proverbs 30:2-3. Surely I am more brutish, &c. This he utters from an humble and modest apprehension of his own ignorance. I neither learned wisdom I have not been taught in the schools of wisdom; nor have the knowledge of the holy Hebrew, קדשׁים , of holy persons, namely, of the holy prophets. I have not such divine inspirations as prophets, strictly so called, have received. read more

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Proverbs 30:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Proverbs 30:3

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 30:1-4

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 30:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 30:1-6

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 30:1-33

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 30:2-3

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 30:3

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 30:2-3

Group of Brands