Proverbs 30

Proverbs 30:1

AGur] This name as well as those names which follow are no where else in Scripture, and it is likely that this Agur was some wise man; who by some sententious speech which hee was inspired with by God, had taught these his two disciples, and this Chapter being the sum thereof, was added unto Soloms proverbs, by reason of the likenesse of the subject The prophecie] The Italian The prophetick speech] Heb the charge: prophecies and revelations are often called so; which the Prophets had charge to relate, and preach to the Church.

Proverbs 30:2

Bruitish] The Italian An Idiot] It is likely that this Agur was a vulgar and unlearned man as Amos 7:14. and that he was supernaturally inspired and enlightned by God.

Proverbs 30:3

Nor have the knowledge of the holy] The Italian But I know the knowledge] God hath revealed true and heavenly wisdome and doctrine to me Of the holy] That is to say of Angels, as Dan. 4. 13, 17. and 8. 13. the meaning is. That as Angels without any learning or instruction, doe know Gods mysteries by a divine light infused into them, so I am inspired by God, without any humane or naturall meanes.

Proverbs 30:4

Who hath ascended] That is to say, this heavenly wisdome is a pure gift of God, which none can gaine of himselfe Who hath gathered] Even so impossible is it for man of himselfe to attaine to that heavenly wisedome. Proverbiall examples of such things as doe beyond all measure surpasse all humane power, as Proverbs 27:16. Ecclesiastes 8:8. Isay 40. 12 His Sonnes name]This hath beene commonly understood of the everlasting Sonne of God. Who alone with his Father, upholds, containes, and governes all things, Hebrews 1:3. But because it is not evident that this was the wise mans intent, this may be taken for a common saying. If ever there were any, which is not now alive, who is there left of his generation in the world?

Proverbs 30:5

Every word] These inspirations which come from God, are not onely of a heavenly and most pure truth, but are also granted to men, to breed a lively faith in them, which maketh their hearts to have confidence in Gods grace.

Proverbs 30:6

Adde thou not] Nor take away, nor alter. A Caveat for them that have any such revelations, that they should not falsifie, 1 Corinthians 4:2.

Proverbs 30:7

Before I die] That is to say, all the dayes of my life.

Proverbs 30:8

Remove farre from me] Feed my soule with thy word, preserving mee from all seducing error of Idolatry, &c. and endow my body with temporall gifts, as farre as shall be needfull for the salvation of my soule Convenient for mee] The Italian Daily bread] Heb. of my allowance; that is to say as much as I shall daily need, according to the order of well governed families. See Job 23:12. Proverbs 31:15.

Proverbs 30:9

Deny thee] Withdrawing my confidence from thee, to put it in temporall goods. Or revolting from mine obedience, through pride and boldnesse arising from my fulnesse and plenty.Take the name] Namely by false oaths, the Hebrew word signifieth properly to catch hold without any respect, and licentiously, and is opposite to the other of taking, which is used in oaths: to shew the holy and religious use of Gods Name in them.

Proverbs 30:10

Accuse not] The Italian, Speake not evill of] To provoke the master against the servant for small occasions, or for no cause at all Guilty] Before God who is the defender of afflicted persons, Exodus 22:23.

Proverbs 30:15

The Horse-leach] The meaning seemes to be. There are two passions in a covetous man, here called a horse-leach. The first an extreame dffidencie, and feare of falling into poverty the other a burning covetousnesse, the one is never at rest; and the other never satisfied.

Proverbs 30:16

The grave] Or hell, The earth] Such as your sands and deserts are.

Proverbs 30:17

The Ravens] The wickednesse of such children shall be punished with horrible kindes of death, without honour of buriall, their bodies flying upon the ground for foode for the fowles of the ayre, and for wilde beasts.

Proverbs 30:20

Such is] Shee doth things so covertly, and so close, unlesse it please God that shee be taken and convinced some other way She eateth] By these hidden termes is signified the act of dishonesty: and the impudency in the dissembling of it or denying it.

Proverbs 30:21

The earth] These things doe cause great trouble amongst men, as well in States as 〈◊〉 private families.

Proverbs 30:22

For a servant] For such kinde of people being raised to dignitie, doe command imperiously and cruelly When be reigneth] Whereby he becommeth insolent, injurious, and untamed, whereas poverty is a very healthfull punishment for him.

Proverbs 30:23

Odious] By reason of her displeasing manners, vitious, and contentious nature. See Deuteronomy 21:15 That is heire] That hath succeeded her mistresse by marying with her master, whereby she becommeth proud and intolerable.

Proverbs 30:26

Feeble folke] Without any strength or courage. Yet can they finde a way to make holes in the 〈…〉ks for their refuge, as well as the erst beasts.

Proverbs 30:27

By hands] As it hath beene observed in grat swarmes of Locusts, some flye in troopes turning one way, and some the other way, like diverse squadrons of an army.

Proverbs 30:28

The Spider] the Italian, The Star-lizard] Histories doe relate many things of the Star-lizard or Et his naturall understanding, especially for the good of man, to whom this creature seems to beare a great affection.

Proverbs 30:31

A Grey-hound] the Italian, The Cock] the Hebrew word is very ambiguous; by some it is taken for a Steed barded for the warre. By some for a Greyhound An he Goat] Of according to others a Ramme.

Proverbs 30:32

If thou hast] If through rashnesse or pride thou hast committed any evill act, or haste intended any evill: especially, if thou hast falled in thy respect towards thy Prince. See Ecclesiastes 8:3 Lay thine] Containe thy selfe, bridle thy minde, and bethinke thy selfe. See Job 21:5.

Proverbs 30:33

The 〈…〉ing] He 〈…〉 through off〈…〉ries, and importunities, 〈…〉oth move another 〈…〉 to wrath. Or he that lets his owne wrath burst out in¦stead of quenching and appeasing it.