Proverbs 30:3

²Surely I am the most ignorant of men, and I lack the understanding of a man. ³I have not learned wisdom, and I have no knowledge of the Holy One. ⁴Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in His hands? Who has bound up the waters in His cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is the name of His Son— surely you know!

Summary

In Proverbs 30:3, Agur humbly acknowledges his limitations and lack of wisdom compared to God. He expresses his unworthiness and inability to attain the heights of divine knowledge. This verse reflects a posture of humility and reverence before the Almighty, recognizing the infinite wisdom and understanding that God possesses. Agur's words serve as a reminder for believers to approach God with humility, acknowledging His supremacy and seeking His guidance in all things.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

I neither learned wisdom,.... Natural wisdom or philosophy, so as to understand the nature of things, and reason about them in a philosophical manner; or political wisdom, so as to know how to govern states, and manage the affairs of kingdoms; or in a lower sphere to transact the affairs of life to any peculiar advantage; he had not a polite or liberal education: or spiritual and evangelical wisdom; that is, not of himself through the mere strength and force of his genius and natural capacity, or of others; he was not the son of a prophet, nor brought up in the schools of the prophets; he did not learn it, nor was he taught it by men; for this is not acquired by human teaching; it is what comes from above, from heaven, and by the revelation of God; nor have the knowledge of the holy; or "holies" (s); either of holy persons, such knowledge as holy men of God had; or of the holy angels, not of their nature, capacities, influence and operations; nor such as they have: or rather of the holy Persons in the Trinity, Father, Son and Spirit; their nature modes of subsisting, perfections, purposes, and the like; at least not a full and comprehensive one: or of holy things, of the holy Scriptures, and the holy doctrines of them; however, not what is perfect and complete. It may be rendered, "but I have the knowledge of the holy" (t), though he had not the advantage of human literature, nor had ever been under the instructions of men on one account or another, and therefore what he knew, or was about to discourse of, was from God. Some understand this verse and Pro 30:2 of Ithiel, or Christ (u), as in the esteem of men, Co1 1:23. (s) "sanctorum", V. L. Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Mercerus, Gejerus, Cocceius, Schultens. (t) "ad cognitionem sanctorum novi", Michaelis; "expers sum humanarnm artium, et divinarum guarus sum", Vatablus in Gejerus. (u) Teelman. Specimen. Explicat. Parabol. p. 391.