Proverbs 30:1-9

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 30:1-4

The weary search for God If we read Proverbs 30:1 thus: "Words of Agur the son of the Princess of Masse. The man's saying, I have wearied myself about God, wearied myself about God—then did I withdraw!" we are led to the contemplation of one who has grown tired and despairing in a hopeless search for God. I. IT IS NATURAL FOR MAN TO SEEK GOD . Agur appears to have lived far away from the borders of the favoured land of Israel. If he was a Jew, he was one in exile,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 30:1-6

Agur's sayings: God's Word the fountain of all wisdom These are the words, probably, of a believer in Jehovah who was a stranger in a foreign land. Among the sworn foes of Israel and her faith, we have in him an example of Puritan rectitude, of unflinching fidelity to conscience, that is highly instructive. The purity of God's eternal truth, and the safety of all believers in him ( Proverbs 30:5 ),—this is his simple and sublime leading theme. I. THE BEING OF GOD AN ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 30:1-6

Reverence and docility Whoever Agur may have been, it is certain that he was a sage who could express his thoughts in strong and trenchant language. If, as seems probable, these opening words had reference to the compliments or the questions of his disciples, we may glean, before we proceed further, three lessons by the way. 1 . That rightful acknowledgment too easily passes into adulation. 2 . That it is a very easy thing for the uninstructed to ask questions which the most... 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 30:2

Surely I am more brutish than any man "Surely" ( ki ) should be "for" (see note on verse l). Cheyne, "I am too stupid for a man;" I am a mere irrational beast (comp. Proverbs 12:1 ; Psalms 73:22 ). And have not the understanding of a man . I am not worthy to be called a man, as I possess not the intellectual faculty which a man ought to have. This is not ironical, as if he did not desire the statement to be taken in its full sense, and meant to say, "Of course it is my own... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 30:2-3

Confirms what is said in Proverbs 30:1 concerning the fruitlessness of the investigation there mentioned; the more he sought and studied, the more conscious he became of his own ignorance and of God's incomreprehensibility. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 30:3

I neither learned wisdom. With all my eager longing and striving I did not attain to such wisdom, that I should have the knowledge of the Holy One ; k'doshim , plural of "excellence," like elohim ( Proverbs 9:10 ; Hosea 12:1 (Hebrew); see note on Proverbs 1:20 ; and comp. Ecclesiastes 5:8 ; Ecclesiastes 12:1 ). The knowledge of the all holy God was beyond his grasp ( Job 11:7 , etc.). Theology is a higher science than metaphysics, and cannot be reached by that ladder. The... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 30:4

The questions contained in this verse are such as compelled Agur to acknowledge his ignorance and nothingness before the thought of the glory and power of the great Creator. We may compare Job 38:1-41 , etc. Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? Who is he that hath his seat in heaven, and doeth works on earth? Who is he whose universal providence is felt and experienced? Where is this mysterious Being who hides himself from human ken? Christ has said something like this, "No man... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 30:5

Every word of God is pure. "Word" is here imrah , which does not occur elsewhere in our book, which is the case also with Eloah , the term used for "God." Every declaration of God in the inspired record, the Torah, is pure, as if refined in the fire ( Psalms 18:30 ). Vulgate, Omnis sermo Dei est ignitus ; Septuagint, "All the words of God are tried in the fire ( πεπυρωμένοι )." God's words are true, sincere, with no mixture of error, certain of accomplishment (comp. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Proverbs 30:5-6

The following tetrastich is connected with what has preceded in this way: As the light of nature and metaphysical speculation are of no avail in obtaining the perfect knowledge of God which the seeker craves, he must be all the more thankful for the revealed Word of God, which teaches him as much as he is capable of learning. read more

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