Proverbs 30

Proverbs 30:1

THe words of Agur] Who was an excellent man in vertue and knowledge, in the time of Solomon. See notes on Chap. 4. 4. and 8. 1.

unto Ithiel and Ʋcal] Which were Agurs scholars, or friends.

Proverbs 30:2

Surely I am more brutish then any man] It may be read thus. Surely I am too foolish to be a great man, nay, I have not the knowledge of an ordinary man in me. So the words are used, Psalms 49:2. and Psalms 62:9. It seems Agur had not his knowledge by humane instruction, but by divine inspiration, as Amos had, Amos 7:14. Herein he declareth his great humilitie, who would not attribute any wisdom to himself, but all unto God, Psalms 73:22.

Proverbs 30:3

I neither learned wisdom] Or thus, I have not learned wisdom, but I have the knowledge of the holy ones: That is, I have not been taught by men, but by God, who taught the angels. They are called holy ones, Dan. 4. 13, 17. and 8. 17. Or, I have not attained to any great measure of true wisdom, or, of the knowledge of holy and heavenly things.

have] Heb. know.

holy] Or, holy things.

Proverbs 30:4

Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended?] John 3. 13.

Who hath ascended up into heaven] Who is every where, &c. None but God.

who hath gathered the winde in his fists?] Job 38:4, &c. Psal. 104. 3, &c. Isai. 40. 12, &c.

Proverbs 30:5

Every word of God is pure] Psalms 12:6. and Psalms 18:30. and Psalms 19:8. and 119. 140.

pure] Heb. purified.

he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him] Psalms 18:30. and 84. 11, 12.

Proverbs 30:6

Adde thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar] Deuteronomy 4:2. and Deuteronomy 12:32. Revel. 22. 18, 19.

Proverbs 30:7

Two things have I required of thee] O God.

deny me them not] Heb. withhold not from me.

deny me them 〈◊〉 before I die] So long as I live.

Proverbs 30:8

Remove farre from me vanitie and lies] Take care of my soul and body, so as to keep me from falling into any vain or deceitfull course, and to afford me a competent livelihood, fit for my estate and charge.

feed me with food convenient for me] Matthew 6:11. My part. For in well-ordered families, every servant hath his proportion daily, Chap. 31. 15.

convenient for me] Heb. of my allowance.

Proverbs 30:9

Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord?] Deuteronomy 32:15.

Lest I be full, and deny thee] Meaning, that they that put their trust in their riches, forget God, and that by too much wealth, men have occasion to do so.

deny thee] Heb. belie thee.

and take the name of my God in vain] By false oaths.

Proverbs 30:10

Accuse not a servant unto] Heb. hurt not with thy tongue.

Accuse not a servant unto his master] For no fault, or for a light one. A servants good will is not to be contemned.

and thou be found guilty] Or, and thou be made desolate. That is, lest the fruit of his ill wishes fall upon thee.

Proverbs 30:13

lofty are their eyes] Chap. 6. 17.

Proverbs 30:14

There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw-teeth as knives, &c.] Job 29:17. Psalms 52:2. and Psalms 57:4.

Proverbs 30:15

The horse-leach hath two daughters] The leach hath two sorks in her tongue, which here he calleth her two daughters, wherewith she sucketh the blood, and is never saiate even so are the covetous extortioners insatiable.

It is enough] Heb. Wealth.

Proverbs 30:17

the ravens] Such children shall come to an untimely end, and be denied buriall.

of the valley] Which haunt the valleys to seek for carrion.

the valley] Or, the brook.

Proverbs 30:19

midst] Heb. heart.

Proverbs 30:20

and wipeth her mouth] She hath her desire, and after counterfeiteth, as though she were an honest woman: as a licourish, and filching servant, eats stoln bread, and wipes his mouth after it, and appears as if he had not stoln it.

Proverbs 30:22

For a servant when he reigneth, &c.] Cha. 19. 10. These commonly abuse the state whereunto they are called, and the comforts they receive.

Proverbs 30:23

an handmaid that is heir to her mistresse] Which is married to her master after the death of her mistresse.

Proverbs 30:24

but they are exceeding wise] They contain matter of great instruction in them.

exceeding wise] Heb. wise, made wise.

Proverbs 30:25

The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer] Chap. 6. 6, &c.

ants are a people] Or, ants a people.

Proverbs 30:26

The conies are but a feeble folk] So Gods people, though feeble, have God as a powerfull rock to protect them, Psalms 18:2. and Psalms 40:17.

conies are but a feeble] Or, conies a feeble.

Proverbs 30:27

The locusts have no king] How much more should those that have governours over them, live orderly under them.

have] Or, which have.

by bands] Heb. gathered together.

Proverbs 30:28

The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in king: pa¦laces] Chap. 22. 29.

taketh] Or, which taketh.

Proverbs 30:31

grey-hound] Or, horse.

grey-hound] Heb. girt in the loyns.

against whom there is no rising up] Ecclesiastes 8:4. A king whose power is uncontrollable: or, a king that keeps his subjects in due order, so that there is no insurrection in the state.

Proverbs 30:32

If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thy self] If thou have evill thoughts against thy king, give them over, for thou wilt not prevail, verse 31. Ecclesiastes 8:3. and Ecclesiastes 10:20.

lay thine hand upon thy mouth] Job 21:5. and Job 40:4.

Proverbs 30:33

so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife] Provocation of wrath inevitably bringeth forth strife and mishief.