Proverbs 30:18
Proverbs 30:18 in Multiple Translations
There are three things too wonderful for me, four that I cannot understand:
There be three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not:
There are three things which are too wonderful for me, Yea, four which I know not:
There are three things, the wonder of which overcomes me, even four things outside my knowledge:
These three things are amazingly hard for me, four things I just can't understand:
There be three thinges hid from me: yea, foure that I knowe not,
Three things have been too wonderful for me, Yea, four that I have not known:
“There are three things which are too amazing for me, four which I don’t understand:
There are three things which are too wonderful for me, yes, four which I know not:
Three things are hard to me, and the fourth I am utterly ignorant of.
There are four things that are wonderful to me, but I do not understand any of them:
Berean Amplified Bible — Proverbs 30:18
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Proverbs 30:18 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה
הֵ֭מָּה
נִפְלְא֣וּ
מִמֶּ֑/נִּי
ו/ארבע
וְ֝/אַרְבָּעָ֗ה
לֹ֣א
יְדַעְתִּֽי/ם
שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה
shâlôwsh
H7969
three
Adj
הֵ֭מָּה
hêm
H1992
they(masc.)
Pron
נִפְלְא֣וּ
pâlâʼ
H6381
to wonder
V-Niphal-Perf-3cp
מִמֶּ֑/נִּי
min
H4480
from
Prep | Suff
ו/ארבע
ʼarbaʻ
H702
four
Conj | Adj
וְ֝/אַרְבָּעָ֗ה
ʼarbaʻ
H702
four
Conj | Adj
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
יְדַעְתִּֽי/ם
yâdaʻ
H3045
to know
V-Qal-Perf-1cs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Proverbs 30:18
שְׁלֹשָׁ֣ה
shâlôwsh
H7969
"three"
Adj
This Hebrew word means three or thrice, and is used to describe quantities or repetitions in the Bible. It appears in various forms, including three, third, and thirteen.
Definition: 1) three, triad 1a) 3, 300, third Aramaic equivalent: te.lat (תְּלָת "three" H8532)
Usage: Occurs in 381 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] fork, [phrase] often(-times), third, thir(-teen, -teenth), three, [phrase] thrice. Compare H7991 (שָׁלִישׁ). See also: Genesis 5:22; Joshua 1:11; 2 Kings 9:32.
הֵ֭מָּה
hêm
H1992
"they(masc.)"
Pron
This Hebrew word is used to refer to a group of men, emphasizing that it is specifically them. It is often translated as 'they' or 'them' in the Bible, and appears in books like Exodus and Isaiah.
Definition: they, these, the same, who
Usage: Occurs in 524 OT verses. KJV: it, like, [idiom] (how, so) many (soever, more as) they (be), (the) same, [idiom] so, [idiom] such, their, them, these, they, those, which, who, whom, withal, ye. See also: Genesis 3:7; Deuteronomy 19:17; 2 Kings 1:18.
נִפְלְא֣וּ
pâlâʼ
H6381
"to wonder"
V-Niphal-Perf-3cp
This Hebrew word means to wonder or be amazed, often at something great or difficult. It describes God's power and miracles in the Bible, like in the book of Psalms. The KJV translates it as 'marvelous' or 'wonderful'.
Definition: 1) to be marvellous, be wonderful, be surpassing, be extraordinary, separate by distinguishing action 1a) (Niphal) 1a1) to be beyond one's power, be difficult to do 1a2) to be difficult to understand 1a3) to be wonderful, be extraordinary 1a3a) marvellous (participle) 1b) (Piel) to separate (an offering) 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to do extraordinary or hard or difficult thing 1c2) to make wonderful, do wondrously 1d) (Hithpael) to show oneself wonderful or marvellous
Usage: Occurs in 69 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, (arise...too, be too) hard, hidden, things too high, (be, do, do a, shew) marvelous(-ly, -els, things, work), miracles, perform, separate, make singular, (be, great, make) wonderful(-ers, -ly, things, works), wondrous (things, works, -ly). See also: Genesis 18:14; Psalms 75:2; Psalms 9:2.
מִמֶּ֑/נִּי
min
H4480
"from"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means a portion or part of something, and is often used to show the relationship between things, like from or out of something.
Definition: prep 1) from, out of, on account of, off, on the side of, since, above, than, so that not, more than 1a) from (expressing separation), off, on the side of 1b) out of 1b1) (with verbs of proceeding, removing, expelling) 1b2) (of material from which something is made) 1b3) (of source or origin) 1c) out of, some of, from (partitively) 1d) from, since, after (of time) 1e) than, more than (in comparison) 1f) from...even to, both...and, either...or 1g) than, more than, too much for (in comparisons) 1h) from, on account of, through, because (with infinitive) conj 2) that Aramaic equivalent: min (מִן־ "from" H4481)
Usage: Occurs in 1094 OT verses. KJV: above, after, among, at, because of, by (reason of), from (among), in, [idiom] neither, [idiom] nor, (out) of, over, since, [idiom] then, through, [idiom] whether, with. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 16:32; Leviticus 14:26.
ו/ארבע
ʼarbaʻ
H702
"four"
Conj | Adj
The number four is a simple counting number in Hebrew, used to describe quantities of things, such as people, objects, or groups.
Definition: four
Usage: Occurs in 277 OT verses. KJV: four. See also: Genesis 2:10; Judges 20:47; Esther 9:21.
וְ֝/אַרְבָּעָ֗ה
ʼarbaʻ
H702
"four"
Conj | Adj
The number four is a simple counting number in Hebrew, used to describe quantities of things, such as people, objects, or groups.
Definition: four
Usage: Occurs in 277 OT verses. KJV: four. See also: Genesis 2:10; Judges 20:47; Esther 9:21.
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
יְדַעְתִּֽי/ם
yâdaʻ
H3045
"to know"
V-Qal-Perf-1cs | Suff
The Hebrew word for to know means to ascertain by seeing, and is used in many senses, including to learn, perceive, and recognize, as seen in various KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to know 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to know 1a1a) to know, learn to know 1a1b) to perceive 1a1c) to perceive and see, find out and discern 1a1d) to discriminate, distinguish 1a1e) to know by experience 1a1f) to recognise, admit, acknowledge, confess 1a1g) to consider 1a2) to know, be acquainted with 1a3) to know (a person carnally) 1a4) to know how, be skilful in 1a5) to have knowledge, be wise 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be made known, be or become known, be revealed 1b2) to make oneself known 1b3) to be perceived 1b4) to be instructed 1c) (Piel) to cause to know 1d) (Poal) to cause to know 1e) (Pual) 1e1) to be known 1e2) known, one known, acquaintance (participle) 1f) (Hiphil) to make known, declare 1g) (Hophal) to be made known 1h) (Hithpael) to make oneself known, reveal oneself Aramaic equivalent: ye.da (יְדַע "to know" H3046)
Usage: Occurs in 874 OT verses. KJV: acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot. See also: Genesis 3:5; Leviticus 5:4; Judges 21:12.
Study Notes — Proverbs 30:18
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Proverbs 30:18 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 30:18
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 30:18
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 30:18
- Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 30:18
- Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 30:18
- Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 30:18
- Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 30:18
- Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 30:18
- Sermons on Proverbs 30:18
Context — The Words of Agur
16Sheol, the barren womb, land never satisfied with water, and fire that never says, ‘Enough!’
17As for the eye that mocks a father and scorns obedience to a mother, may the ravens of the valley pluck it out and young vultures devour it.
18There are three things too wonderful for me, four that I cannot understand:
19the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a snake on a rock, the way of a ship at sea, and the way of a man with a maiden. 20This is the way of an adulteress: She eats and wipes her mouth and says, ‘I have done nothing wrong.’Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Job 42:3 | You asked, ‘Who is this who conceals My counsel without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. |
| 2 | Psalms 139:6 | Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. |
Proverbs 30:18 Summary
This verse is saying that there are some things in life that are just too amazing and mysterious for us to fully understand, like the way an eagle flies or a ship sails across the sea. The speaker is being honest about the limits of human knowledge and acknowledging that some things are just too wonderful for us to comprehend, as seen in Psalm 8:3-4. This verse reminds us to approach life with humility and a sense of awe, recognizing that there is much that is beyond our understanding, but trusting in God's wisdom and sovereignty, as expressed in Proverbs 3:5-6.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the verse mean by 'three things too wonderful' and 'four that I cannot understand'?
The speaker is expressing awe and humility at the complexity and mystery of certain aspects of life, as seen in Proverbs 30:18, and is acknowledging the limits of human understanding, similar to what is expressed in Proverbs 3:5-6.
Is the speaker saying that some things are too hard for God to understand?
No, the speaker is not implying that God is limited in His understanding, but rather that human beings are finite and cannot fully comprehend certain things, as stated in Psalm 139:6 and Isaiah 55:9.
Why does the speaker not list the four things they cannot understand in this verse?
The speaker is setting up a poetic and rhetorical device to be explained in the following verses, Proverbs 30:19, where they list four examples of things that are mysterious and wonderful, including the way of an eagle and the way of a ship at sea.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the book of Proverbs?
This verse is part of a larger collection of wisdom sayings and teachings in the book of Proverbs, which emphasizes the importance of humility, wisdom, and acknowledging the limits of human knowledge, as seen in Proverbs 1:7 and Proverbs 9:10.
Reflection Questions
- What are some things in life that you find mysterious or difficult to understand, and how do you respond to them?
- How does acknowledging the limits of your understanding affect your relationship with God and your approach to life's challenges?
- What are some ways that you can cultivate humility and a sense of awe in your daily life, as expressed in Proverbs 30:18?
- How does the speaker's attitude in this verse inspire you to approach the unknown or the unknowable with faith and trust in God's sovereignty?
Gill's Exposition on Proverbs 30:18
There be three [things which] are too wonderful for me,.... Which were above his reach and comprehension; what he could not find out, nor account for, nor sufficiently admire; yea, four things which
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Proverbs 30:18
There be three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not: There be three (things) ... yea, four which I know not: The way of an eagle in the air, the way of a serpent upon a
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Proverbs 30:18
The way whereof I cannot trace or find out.
Trapp's Commentary on Proverbs 30:18
Proverbs 30:18 There be three [things which] are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not:Ver. 18. There be three things which are too wonderful.] The wisest man that is cannot give a reason for all things; such as the ebbing and flowing of the sea, of the colours in the rainbow, of the strength of the nether chap, and of the heat in the stomach, which consumeth all other things, and yet not the parts about it. Agur here confesseth himself gravelled in four things at least, and benighted.
Ellicott's Commentary on Proverbs 30:18
(18) Too wonderful for me.—The wonder in Agur’s eyes seems to be that none of the four leave any trace behind them. (Comp. Wis 5:10 sqq.) For a spiritual interpretation of these and other passages in this chapter, comp. Bishop Wordsworth’s Commentary.
Cambridge Bible on Proverbs 30:18
18–20. Four things that are inscrutable.
Barnes' Notes on Proverbs 30:18
Another enigma. The four things of Pro 30:16 agreed in the common point of insatiableness; the four now mentioned agree in this, that they leave no trace behind them.
Whedon's Commentary on Proverbs 30:18
18, 19. Too wonderful — As we have in the preceding verses several illustrations of the insatiable, so we have in these examples of the mysterious.
Sermons on Proverbs 30:18
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Closing Address on Communion Sabbath, January 27, 1889. by Andrew Bonar | Andrew Bonar emphasizes the prophetic role of Christ in his closing address on Communion Sabbath, reflecting on the Samaritan woman's statement about the coming Prophet. He highlig |
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Too Wonderful for Me by Bob Jones Sr. | In this sermon, Dr. Bob Jones Sr. emphasizes the incredible knowledge and understanding that God has of each individual. He highlights the fact that God knows every aspect of our l |
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Bristol Conference 1973-02 the Lord Jesus Christ by Stan Ford | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the significance of Jesus' scars on his hands. He highlights that these scars were the only thing that man ever made that would be in glory. |
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In the Service of the King by Basilea Schlink | The video is a sermon transcript about the honor and joy of being called into God's service. The speaker, Basilius Schlink, reflects on his own experience of being called by God an |
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Resisting God, an Effectual Bar to Grace. by Francois Fenelon | Greek Word Studies for aid_number 34429 preaches about the manifold wisdom of God, emphasizing its diverse, multi-colored, and multi-faceted nature that surpasses human understandi |
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Suso and His Spiritual Daughter by W.R. Inge | W.R. Inge delves into the deep questions about the nature of God, explaining the complexity of understanding God's essence and the concept of the Trinity. He describes God as an im |
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Imperfection of Human Knowledge by John Wesley | John Wesley preaches on the limitations of human knowledge, emphasizing that while the desire for knowledge is innate and insatiable, our actual understanding is confined and often |