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] The book is a compilation of several wisdom literature collections: the heading in Proverbs 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.[3] This chapter first records "the sayings of Agur",[4] followed by a collection of epigrams and aphorisms.[5]
The original text is written in the 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).[6]
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).[7]
Michael Fox,an American biblical scholar, divides this chapter into sections:[8]
This collection is ascribed to an unknown non-Israelite sage (cf. also 31:1).[4] Fox suggests that it could have been appended to Proverbs because of its valuable cautionary comments and the exaltation of the Torah.[9] 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.[9]
Aberdeen theologian Kenneth Aitken notes that Agur's sayings may not extend beyond verse 14, as the first 14 verses are separate from verses 15 onwards in the Septuagint, but also comments that "opinion is divided on whether they end before verse 14" (possible at verses 4, 6, or 9).[4] The editors of the New American Bible, Revised Edition, suggest that the "original literary unit" probably consisted of verses 1 to 6.[10]
Like those in Job 38–41, these rhetorical questions emphasize "the inscrutability of God's ways".[14]
Every word of God is tested;
he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
Add nothing to his words,
lest he reprimand you, and you be proved a liar.[15]
The editors of the New American Bible, Revised Edition, suggest that the original Agur text probably ended with these verses, because the first six verses reflect a single contrast between human fragility (and ignorance) and divine power (and knowledge).[10]
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 numberical proverbs, in the form "Three things … and four".[9] The final item in the series is usually the climax and focal point.[16]
The first thing however to remember is to understand these as what the bible teaches but also to understand never to take them too literally, they are analogies, in the proverbs we are taught the path of the righteous and the wicked are as self evident as their actions are apart and separated from one and other. As history has been foretold in the book of revelation the bible teaches in proverbs human behaviour and phycology hundreds of years in advance. [17] Proverbs have been in many movies from Hard Rain, Cape Fear, The Client, and The Hurricane. [18]
There is a generation, whose teeth are as swords, and their jaw teeth as knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from among men.[19]
The leech has two daughters,
crying, "Give, give."
There are three things that are never satisfied,
indeed, four things never say, "It is enough".[21]
the grave, the barren womb,
the earth that is not filled with water,
and the fire that never says, “It is enough.”[22]
A greyhound; an he goat also; and a king, against whom there is no rising up.[24]