Proverbs 30:8 - Exposition

Here is the first request: Remove far from me vanity and lies. Shay , "vanity," is inward hollowness and worthlessness, and "lies" are the expression of this in words. The prayer might indeed be taken as an entreaty against being polluted with the companionship of the evil, like "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil;" but it is best taken subjectively, as a supplication for personal truthfulness and sincerity in all relations both towards God and man. Give me neither poverty nor riches. Both extremes are deprecated: the mean is the safest and the happiest, Horace, 'Carm.,' 3.16. 424

" Multa petentibus

Desunt multa; bene est, cui deus obtulit

Parca, quod satis est, manu ."

"The 'ever craving' is Want's slave and thrall;

The gods most wisely thus their gifts accord,

Giving 'enough,' they amply give to all."

(Stanley.)

Theognis, 'Patron.,' 1155—

οὐκ ἔραμαι πλουτεῖν οὐδ εὔχομαι ἀλλὰ μοι εἴη

ζῇν ἀπὸ τῶν ὀλίγων μηδὲν ἔχοντι κακόν

"I want not wealth; I only ask to live

On frugal means without corroding care."

Feed me with food convenient for me; literally, give me to eat the bread of my portion ; that which by God s providence is determined for me (comp. Genesis 47:22 , which speaks of the portion assigned for the support of the priests; Job 23:14 ; and below, Proverbs 31:15 ). It is natural to refer to τὸν ἄρτον ἡμῶν ἐπιούσιον of the Lord's Prayer ( Matthew 6:11 ); but the idea is not the same. In the latter, bread for the needs of the coming day is meant; in our passage it is more indefinite, a casting one's self on the Divine love, in readiness to take what that love assigns. "Having food and covering," says St. Paul ( 1 Timothy 6:8 ), "we shall be therewith content." Septuagint, "Appoint for me what is necessary and what is sufficient ( τὰ δεόντα καὶ τὰ αὐτάρκη )."