Introduction
Here begins another section or division of the book, variously numbered by the annotators. It consists of only this chapter, and is the most enigmatical and difficult portion of the book. It is generally considered an example of the חידת , ( hhidhoth,) “dark sayings” riddles and things to be guessed at promised in Proverbs 1:6. On this account some parts of it, and more especially the first few verses, have been the subjects of wonderfully diverse translation and interpretation. The limits of this work not allowing of entering largely into these criticisms, we refer those who wish to pursue the subject further than our plan permits to Clarke, Stuart, Lange, Conant, and Miller.
Some critics have believed that this section of the book is the production of Solomon, the names, Jakeh, Agur, etc., being fictitious or enigmatical, representing David, Solomon, etc. But the greater number of interpreters consider it a supplement, or appendix, annexed by “the men of Hezekiah,” or by some other inspired editor. The word “Agur,” is commonly supposed to be from the root אגר , ( agar,) and to signify a collector or compiler, though Miller derives it from גור , ( gur,) to turn aside, to fear. The greater number of expositors take all these words, “Agur,” “Jakeh,” “Ithiel,” and “Ucal,” as they stand in our Authorized Version, for proper names, representing some ancient persons concerning whom we know nothing, except what we find here. (The name “Ithiel” occurs Nehemiah 11:7.)
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