Proverbs 30:29-31

29-31. Three… four… comely The author here adds the four things of stately or majestic gait.

A lion The most heroic among the beasts, or, at least, so popularly held, and, therefore, called the king of beasts.

A greyhound Literally, girt-of-loins, or compressed of loins. This animal has to be guessed at. Among the guesses are, the war-horse, the zebra, the wrestler, the cock, (so Vulgate.) The chief critics prefer the greyhound, which is said to be a remarkably fine animal in the East, and exceedingly fleet. In full chase he seems to swim over the ground.

A he goat Which at the head of his flock puts on as much sturdiness as an Oriental pasha.

A king, against whom… is no rising up All this has only three words in the original מלךְ אלקום עמו , melekh alkum ‘ himmo. The second word is supposed to be a compound, a very unusual thing in Hebrew: al, not, and kum, to stand, or rise up no standing against him; or, let no one rise up against him. More satisfactory is the solution of Gesenius, who derives alkum from the Arabic, meaning the people, the populace, and reads: “A king with whom is the people” in the midst of his people. Surrounded and supported by them. So, also, Conant and others. Such a king may well walk forth reliantly, having the affection and confidence of his subjects. The Septuagint has: “A king publicly speaking before a nation.”