Proverbs 30:31

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 30:31

A greyhound ,.... So Gersom interprets the word; but Jarchi owns he does not know what is meant; and Aben Ezra only says, it is the name of a living creature, but does not say what; but observes, that some interpret it of the "bee", and others of the "eagle". The words of the original text only describe something "girt about the loins" F15 זרזיר מחנים "accinctus lumbis equus", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Cartwright, Glassius, Bochart, Buxtorf; "infibulatus lumbos equus",... 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 30:29-31

Four things of stately presence. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 30:29-31

Fourfold triumph Each of the four here brought before us excites admiration for a successful course. As in former illustrations, the images rise up to a climax, and what is exhibited separately in the earlier ones is united and completed in the final image. I. A TRIUMPHANT COURSE EXCITES EMULATION . 1 . True success is good . There are various forms of success. Some are more disgraceful than failure. A low end easily won, or a desirable goal reached by foul means,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 30:29-31

Grandeur in natural objects Our aesthetic as well as our teleological perceptions are appealed to in the objects of nature. Certain creatures express grandeur, sublimity, or beauty in their form and carriage. I. EXAMPLES . 1 . The lion . ( Proverbs 30:30 .) He is in nature and for art the very symbol of strength and prowess. Literally, he is the "hero among beasts," and turns his magnificent front from the face of no foe. 2 . The greyhound ( Proverbs 30:31 ), with... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 30:29-31

Spiritual comeliness Agur mentions four things which are "comely" (Authorized Version) or are "stately" (Revised Version) in their going; their movement is regarded with pleasure, with admiration, by those who observe it. Such demeanour on their part is suggestive of moral and spiritual attractiveness on ours. I. WE MUST SECURE THAT WHICH IS NECESSARY . We cannot truly live without the favour of God, without entering his service, without possessing something of his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 30:31

A greyhound; זַרְזִיר מָתְנַיִם ( zarzir mothnayim ), "girt in the loins" ( περιεσφιγμένος τὴν ὀσφόν , Symmachus), an expression very vague, and, as the name of an animal, occurring nowhere else in the Old Testament. In post-biblical Hebrew zarzir is found as the name of some pugnacious bird, and the Septuagint, Vulgate, and Syriac call it here the cock. So also Aquila and Theodotion. But if the word is onomatopoetic, it would seem to apply with more propriety to one of... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Proverbs 30:29-31

Proverbs 30:29-31. There be three things which go well That walk decently, and with great alacrity and courage, or whose motion is majestic; A lion, which turneth not away for any Doth not flee from his pursuers, whether men or beasts, but walks away with a slow and majestic pace, as is observed by Aristotle, and many others; A greyhound Called in the Hebrew זרזיר מתנים , girt in the loins, either because its loins are slender, and, as it were, girt up into a little compass, or... read more

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