Bible Commentaries

Agur = I shall fear. Probably a master of assemblies, as in Ecclesiastes 12:11. Nothing is known of him, but we accept all that was in the Scriptures which the Lord Jesus referred to. We know as little of some of the Minor Prophets.

prophecy = oracle, or burden.

man. Hebrew. geber. App-14.

Ithiel = El [is] with me. App-4.

Ucal = I shall be able.

Surely = [True it is] that.

man = an educated man, or peer. Hebrew. "ish. App-14.

understanding. Hebrew. binih. See note on Proverbs 1:2.

a man. Hebrew. "adam : a commoner. App-14.

learned = have been taught; with emphasis on taught.

wisdom. Hebrew. chakmah. See note on Proverbs 1:2.

Nor have = Nor yet have I.

the holy = holy ones: or, the Most Holy One.

Who . . . ? Can it mean that the speaker here is the speaker of Pro 8? viz. the "son" of the last clause of this verse?

the wind. Hebrew. ruach. App-9.

word = saying or utterance. Hebrew. imrah. App-73. The only occurrence of this word in Proverbs.

GOD. Hebrew Eloah. App-4. The only occurrence of this title in Proverbs. Occurs forty-one times in Job, four times in Psalms, twelve times in the other books.

pure = tried [in a furnace]. Compare Psalms 12:6.

unto them. Some codices read "unto all them".

put their trust = flee for refuge. Hebrew. hasah. App-69.

Add thou not, &c. A solemn warning based on Deuteronomy 4:2; Deuteronomy 12:32. Compare Galatians 1:1, Galatians 1:8, Galatians 1:9. Revelation 22:18, Revelation 22:19.

reprove thee. Emphatic = send a special reproof unto thee.

Deny = Withhold.

lies = word of falsehood.

poverty = need. Hebrew. rush. See note on Proverbs 6:11.

Feed me = Cause me to be fed.

food convenient = allowance of food. Compare Job 23:12.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

poor: i.e. from being dispossessed. Hebrew. yarash. See note on "poverty", Proverbs 6:11

take the name, &c. = assaileth Jehovah. Not a reference to the second Commandment.

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4. Accuse not a servant = Get not a servant accused. Note the Hiphil here; as in Psalms 101:5.

poor = needy. Hebrew. "ain. See note on Proverbs 6:11. Not the same word as in verses: Proverbs 30:8, Proverbs 30:9.

men. Hebrew. "adam. App-14.

horseleach. Occurs only here. It is like the "flesh" in man. In the natural and spiritual spheres "the dose has to be increased".

The grave = Sheol. App-35.

despiseth to obey = despiseth obedience to.

The ravens, &c. These birds of prey always begin with the eyes of a carcase.

maid. Hebrew. "almah. See note on Genesis 24:43. Refers here probably to seduction.

way = manner, or conduct. Compare Psalms 119:9.

no wickedness = nothing: or, as we say, "no harm". Hebrew. "aven.

fool. Hebrew. nabal. See note on Proverbs 1:7.

is heirto = has dispossessed, or become heiress to.

little upon the earth = earth's little ones.

exceeding wise. Hebrew "wise, made wise". Figure of speech Polyptoton. App-6. The Septuagint and Vulg, render "wiser than the wise".

a people. So are those "made wise" (2 Timothy 3:15) who are God's People (Psalms 100:3).

not strong = very weak. Figure of speech Tapeinosis. So Romans 5:6 (compare Isaiah 40:29; Isaiah 45:24. Job 12:13).

prepare = will prepare. Hebrews 10:5.

conies. About the size of a rabbit. Inhabit clefts in the rocks; because, having soft feet, they cannot burrow as a rabbit can. So God's people abide in Christ, their Rock.

houses . . . rocks = house . . . rock. Hebrew singular.

no king. So we have no visible king, yet when "made wise" we see Him Who is invisible (John 14:19. Compare 1 Peter 1:8).

by bands = gathered together. So will God's People. Septuagint renders it by keleusmatos = at one word of command. Same word as the assembling shout in 1 Thessalonians 4:16. Compare 1 Corinthians 15:23, "in his own order" or rank.

with her hands. So we, by the hand of faith, shall be found in the palace of the King of kings.

kings" palaces = king's palace.

foolishly = stupidly. Hebrew. nabal. See note on Proverbs 1:7. Same word as in Proverbs 30:22.

thought evil = meditated [with evil intent].