Bible Commentaries

The words of ^a Agur the son of Jakeh, [even] the prophecy: the man spoke to Ithiel, even to ^b Ithiel and Ucal,

(a) Who was an excellent man in virtue and knowledge in the time of Solomon.

(b) Who were Agur's scholars or friends.

Surely I [am] more ^c senseless than [any] man, and have not the understanding of a man.

(c) In this he declares his great humility who would not attribute any wisdom to himself but all to God.

Who hath ascended into ^d heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in his fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what [is] his name, and what [is] his son's name, if thou canst tell?

(d) Meaning, to know the secrets of God, as though he would say, "None".

Two ^e [things] have I required of thee; deny [them] not to me before I die:

(e) He makes this request to God.

Lest I be full, and deny [thee], and say, ^f Who [is] the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God [in vain].

(f) Meaning, that they who put their trust in their riches forget God and that by too much wealth men have an opportunity to the same.

Accuse not a servant to his master, lest he curse thee, ^g and thou be found guilty.

(g) In accusing him without cause.

The horseleach hath two ^h daughters, [crying], Give, give. There are three [things that] are never satisfied, [yea], four [things] say not, [It is] enough:

(h) The leach has two forks in her tongue, which here he calls her two daughters, by which she sucks the blood, and is never satisfied: even so, the covetous extortioners are insatiable.

The eye [that] mocketh at [its] father, and despiseth to obey [its] mother, the ravens ⁱ of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it.

(i) Which hunt in the valley for carrion.

Such [is] the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and ^k wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.

(k) She has her desires, and later counterfeits as though she were an honest woman.

For ^l a servant when he reigneth; and a fool when he is filled with food;

(l) These commonly abuse the state to which they are called.

For an odious [woman] when she is married; and an handmaid that is ^m heir to her mistress.

(m) Who is married to her master after the death of her mistress.

There are four [things which are] little upon the earth, but they [are] very ⁿ wise:

(n) They contain great doctrine and wisdom.

The spider taketh hold ^o with her hands, and is in kings' palaces.

(o) If man is not able to compass these common things by his wisdom, we cannot attribute wisdom to man, but folly.

If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, [lay] thy hand ^p upon thy mouth.

(p) Make a stay and continue not in doing evil.