Proverbs 30 | |
---|---|
Book | Book of Proverbs |
Category | Ketuvim |
Christian Bible part | Old Testament |
Order in the Christian part | 21 |
Proverbs 30 is the 30th chapter of the Book of Proverbs in the Hebrew Bible or the Old Testament of the Christian Bible.[1]<[2][3] The book is a compilation of several wisdom literature collections, with the heading in 1:1 may be intended to regard Solomon as the traditional author of the whole book, but the dates of the individual collections are difficult to determine, and the book probably obtained its final shape in the post-exilic period.[4] This chapter specifically records "the sayings of Agur",[5] followed by a collection of epigrams and aphorisms.[6]
The original text is written in Hebrew language. This chapter is divided into 33 verses.
Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter in Hebrew are of the Masoretic Text, which includes the Aleppo Codex (10th century), and Codex Leningradensis (1008).[7]
There is also a translation into Koine Greek known as the Septuagint, made in the last few centuries BC. Extant ancient manuscripts of the Septuagint version include Codex Vaticanus (B; B; 4th century), Codex Sinaiticus (S; BHK: S; 4th century), and Codex Alexandrinus (A; A; 5th century).[8]
Michael Fox groups this chapter into:[9]
**Proverbs 30:24–28 =Epigrams v – Four Creatures Small but Wise
This collection is ascribed to an unknown non-Israelite sage (cf. also 31:1).[5] It could be appended to Proverbs because of its valuable cautionary comments and the exaltation of Torah.[10] The closeness 'in word and spirit' to Psalm 73 is noted as Agur, like the psalmist, combines confession of ignorance with a profession of faith and exultation in the insight that comes from God alone, while urging people to turn directly to God as a safeguard against temptation.[10]
'revelation' (cf. Habakkuk 1:1), but here may designate 'the tribe or place of Massa in northern Arabia' (Genesis 25:14) to which Agur could belong (RSV). [5]
Like those in Job 38–41, these rethorical questions emphasize 'the inscrutability of God's ways'.[14]
This part contains various epigrams and three short aphorisms in the midst. Most of the epigrams (similar to 6:1-19) take the form of lists. Epigrams i and vii contain unnumbered lists whose items are grouped by theme and anaphora (each line starts with the same word). Epigram v is a single-number list with four items. Epigrams ii, iii, iv, and vi are graded numerical sayings, in the form "Three things.. .and four".[10] The final item in the series is usually the climax and focal point.[15]
Damascus /and for four, I will not revoke it."[17]
roverbs 30:31 Or perhaps, lit.
referring to the cock, though other animals such as the warhorse have been proposed.[14]