Proverbs 30:11-14

Agur sketched four verbal pictures and simply placed them side by side in these verses to illustrate the folly of arrogance. He had demonstrated humility himself (Proverbs 30:2-4; Proverbs 30:7-9). Each thing listed begins with dor ("generation") meaning a class or group of people (cf. Matthew 11:16). [Note: Ross, p. 1121.] The numerical sequence creates a cumulative effect, namely, a feeling of growing intensity. [Note: J. J. Glück, "Proverbs xxx 15a," Vetus Testamentum 14 (1964):368.]