Proverbs 30:1
These are the words of Agur son of Jakeh--the burden that this man declared to Ithiel: "I am weary, O God, and worn out.
These are the words
The phrase "These are the words" introduces a distinct section within the Book of Proverbs, indicating a shift from the preceding sayings of Solomon. In Hebrew, the term for "words" is "דִּבְרֵי" (divrei), which can also mean "sayings" or "utterances." This suggests a collection of wisdom that is meant to be pondered and internalized. The emphasis on "words" highlights the importance of verbal transmission of wisdom in ancient Israelite culture, where oral tradition was a primary means of education and moral instruction.

of Agur
The name "Agur" is unique in the Bible, and its meaning is somewhat uncertain, though it is often interpreted as "collector" or "gatherer." This could imply that Agur was a collector of wisdom, much like Solomon. The mention of Agur suggests a diversity of voices within the wisdom literature, emphasizing that divine wisdom is not confined to a single source but is accessible to those who earnestly seek it.

son of Jakeh
The phrase "son of Jakeh" provides a genealogical context, which was significant in ancient times for establishing credibility and authority. The name "Jakeh" is also unique and not mentioned elsewhere in the Bible, which adds an element of mystery. This lineage underscores the personal nature of the wisdom being shared, as it is rooted in familial and cultural heritage.

the oracle
The term "oracle" in Hebrew is "מַשָּׂא" (massa), which can mean a burden or a prophetic utterance. This indicates that the message Agur is about to deliver carries weight and significance. It suggests a divine inspiration behind the words, as oracles were often seen as messages from God. This elevates the subsequent teachings to a level of spiritual authority and importance.

that this man declared
The phrase "that this man declared" emphasizes the personal responsibility and intentionality behind the message. The Hebrew word for "declared" is "נְאֻם" (ne'um), which is often used in prophetic contexts to denote a solemn pronouncement. This highlights Agur's role as a conduit of wisdom, suggesting that he is not merely sharing personal opinions but conveying insights with divine backing.

to Ithiel
The name "Ithiel" is interpreted to mean "God is with me." This personal address suggests that the wisdom being imparted is intended for those who recognize and seek the presence of God in their lives. It implies a relationship between the seeker of wisdom and the divine, underscoring the belief that true understanding comes from a connection with God.

to Ithiel and Ucal
The repetition of "to Ithiel" and the inclusion of "Ucal" (whose name is less clear but may mean "devoured" or "consumed") suggest a dual audience for Agur's teachings. This could symbolize the broader applicability of the wisdom being shared, indicating that it is relevant to multiple individuals or groups. It reinforces the idea that wisdom is not exclusive but is meant to be shared and applied in various contexts.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Agur
The author of Proverbs 30, Agur is a relatively obscure figure in the Bible. His name means "collector" or "gatherer," suggesting he may have been a collector of wisdom or sayings.

2. Jakeh
The father of Agur. Little is known about him, but his name means "pious" or "obedient," indicating a possible background of faithfulness or devotion.

3. Ithiel
The recipient of Agur's oracle. The name Ithiel means "God is with me," which may imply a personal relationship or trust in God.

4. Oracle
A divine message or revelation. In this context, it refers to the wisdom or insight that Agur is imparting.

5. Weary and Worn Out
Agur's expression of human frailty and dependence on God, highlighting a theme of humility and recognition of one's limitations.
Teaching Points
Humility in Seeking Wisdom
Agur's acknowledgment of weariness is a reminder of the importance of humility in our pursuit of wisdom. Recognizing our limitations opens us to God's guidance.

Dependence on God
Agur's cry to God underscores the necessity of relying on divine strength rather than our own. In moments of exhaustion, turning to God is crucial.

The Value of Honest Reflection
Agur's transparency about his state of mind encourages us to be honest with ourselves and God about our struggles, fostering a deeper relationship with Him.

The Role of Divine Revelation
The term "oracle" suggests that true wisdom comes from God. We should seek His revelation through prayer and Scripture.

Encouragement in Weariness
While Agur expresses weariness, the broader biblical account assures us that God provides rest and renewal for the weary.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does Agur's expression of weariness teach us about the human condition and our need for God?

2. How can we apply Agur's humility in our own pursuit of wisdom and understanding?

3. In what ways does Agur's message to Ithiel encourage us to rely on God's strength in our daily lives?

4. How do other scriptures, like Isaiah 40:29-31, provide hope and encouragement in times of weariness?

5. What practical steps can we take to ensure we are seeking divine revelation and wisdom in our decision-making processes?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Ecclesiastes 1:2-3
Similar to Agur's expression of weariness, Ecclesiastes reflects on the vanity and weariness of life without God, emphasizing the need for divine wisdom.

Psalm 73:26
This verse echoes Agur's sentiment of human frailty, acknowledging that while our flesh and heart may fail, God is the strength of our heart.

Isaiah 40:29-31
These verses provide a contrast to Agur's weariness, offering hope that those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength.
Agur's Sayings: God's Word the Fountain of All WisdomE. Johnson Proverbs 30:1-6
Reverence and DocilityW. Clarkson Proverbs 30:1-6
Agur the PhilosopherD. Thomas, D.D.Proverbs 30:1-9
People
Agur, Ithiel, Jakeh, Massa, Ucal
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Affirmation, Agur, Burden, Consumed, Declaration, Declared, Declares, Full, Gatherer, Ithiel, Ith'i-el, Jakeh, Massa, Myself, O, Obedient, Oracle, Prophecy, Says, Spake, Spoke, Ucal, Uttered, Wearied, Weariness
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Proverbs 29:27

     5350   injustice, hated by God
     7150   righteous, the
     8275   honesty

Proverbs 29:26-27

     5361   justice, human

Library
A Homily for Humble Folks
A Sermon (No. 2140) delivered on Lord's Day, April 27th, 1890 by C.H. Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington. "Surely I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man."--Proverbs 30:2. Sometimes it is necessary for a speaker to refer to himself, and he may feel it needful to do so in a way peculiar to the occasion. When Elihu addressed himself to Job and the three wise men, he commended himself to them saying, "I am full of matter, the spirit within me constraineth
C.H. Spurgeon—Sermons on Proverbs

Temporal Advantages.
"We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content."--1 Tim. vi. 7, 8. Every age has its own special sins and temptations. Impatience with their lot, murmuring, grudging, unthankfulness, discontent, are sins common to men at all times, but I suppose one of those sins which belongs to our age more than to another, is desire of a greater portion of worldly goods than God has given us,--ambition and covetousness
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII

Parable of the Pharisee and Publican.
^C Luke XVIII. 9-14. ^c 9 And he spake also this parable unto certain who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and set all others at nought [It is commonly said that this parable teaches humility in prayer, but the preface and conclusion (see verse 14) show that it is indeed to set forth generally the difference between self-righteousness and humility, and that an occasion of prayer is chosen because it best illustrates the point which the Lord desired to teach. The parable shows that
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Tenth Commandment
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.' Exod 20: 17. THIS commandment forbids covetousness in general, Thou shalt not covet;' and in particular, Thy neighbour's house, thy neighbour's wife, &c. I. It forbids covetousness in general. Thou shalt not covet.' It is lawful to use the world, yea, and to desire so much of it as may keep us from the temptation
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

Light for them that Sit in Darkness;
OR, A DISCOURSE OF JESUS CHRIST: AND THAT HE UNDERTOOK TO ACCOMPLISH BY HIMSELF THE ETERNAL REDEMPTION OF SINNERS: ALSO, HOW THE LORD JESUS ADDRESSED HIMSELF TO THIS WORK; WITH UNDENIABLE DEMONSTRATIONS THAT HE PERFORMED THE SAME. OBJECTIONS TO THE CONTRARY ANSWERED. 'Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us.'--Galatians 3:13. by John Bunyan--1674 ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. This solemn and searching treatise was first published in 1674, a copy of which is in
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Vehicles of Revelation; Scripture, the Church, Tradition.
(a) The supreme and unique revelation of God to man is in the Person of the Incarnate Son. But though unique the Incarnation is not solitary. Before it there was the divine institution of the Law and the Prophets, the former a typical anticipation (de Incarn. 40. 2) of the destined reality, and along with the latter (ib. 12. 2 and 5) for all the world a holy school of the knowledge of God and the conduct of the soul.' After it there is the history of the life and teaching of Christ and the writings
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius

Of the Name of God
Exod. iii. 13, 14.--"And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you." We are now about this question, What God is. But who can answer it? Or, if answered, who can understand it? It should astonish us in
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

"Wash You, Make You Clean, Put Away the Evil of Your Doings from Before Mine Eyes; Cease to do Evil,"
Isaiah i. 16.--"Wash you, make you clean, put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil," &c. If we would have a sum of pure and undefiled religion, here it is set down in opposition to this people's shadow of religion, that consisted in external ordinances and rites. We think that God should be as well-pleased with our service as we ourselves, therefore we choose his commands which our humour hath no particular antipathy against and refuse others. But the Lord will not
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Thoughts Upon Worldly-Riches. Sect. Ii.
TIMOTHY after his Conversion to the Christian Faith, being found to be a Man of great Parts, Learning, and Piety, and so every way qualified for the work of the Ministry, St. Paul who had planted a Church at Ephesus the Metropolis or chief City of all Asia, left him to dress and propagate it, after his departure from it, giving him Power to ordain Elders or Priests, and to visit and exercise Jurisdiction over them, to see they did not teach false Doctrines, 1 Tim. i. 3. That they be unblameable in
William Beveridge—Private Thoughts Upon a Christian Life

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners Or, a Brief Relation of the Exceeding Mercy of God in Christ, to his Poor Servant, John Bunyan
In this my relation of the merciful working of God upon my soul, it will not be amiss, if in the first place, I do in a few words give you a hint of my pedigree, and manner of bringing up; that thereby the goodness and bounty of God towards me, may be the more advanced and magnified before the sons of men. 2. For my descent then, it was, as is well known by many, of a low and inconsiderable generation; my father's house being of that rank that is meanest, and most despised of all the families in
John Bunyan—Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners

Further Incidents of the Journey to Jerusalem - the Mission and Return of the Seventy - the Home at Bethany - Martha and Mary
ALTHOUGH, for the reasons explained in the previous chapter, the exact succession of events cannot be absolutely determined, it seems most likely, that it was on His progress southwards at this time that Jesus designated' [3870] those seventy' [3871] others,' who were to herald His arrival in every town and village. Even the circumstance, that the instructions to them are so similar to, and yet distinct from, those formerly given to the Twelve, seems to point to them as those from whom the Seventy
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

A Book for Boys and Girls Or, Temporal Things Spritualized.
by John Bunyan, Licensed and entered according to order. London: Printed for, and sold by, R. Tookey, at his Printing House in St. Christopher's Court, in Threadneedle Street, behind the Royal Exchange, 1701. Advertisement by the Editor. Some degree of mystery hangs over these Divine Emblems for children, and many years' diligent researches have not enabled me completely to solve it. That they were written by Bunyan, there cannot be the slightest doubt. 'Manner and matter, too, are all his own.'[1]
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Thoughts Upon Worldly Riches. Sect. I.
HE that seriously considers the Constitution of the Christian Religion, observing the Excellency of its Doctrines, the Clearness of its Precepts, the Severity of its Threatnings, together with the Faithfulness of its Promises, and the Certainty of its Principles to trust to; such a one may justly be astonished, and admire what should be the reason that they who profess this not only the most excellent, but only true Religion in the World, should notwithstanding be generally as wicked, debauched and
William Beveridge—Private Thoughts Upon a Christian Life

Councils of Ariminum and Seleucia.
Part I. History of the Councils. Reason why two Councils were called. Inconsistency and folly of calling any; and of the style of the Arian formularies; occasion of the Nicene Council; proceedings at Ariminum; Letter of the Council to Constantius; its decree. Proceedings at Seleucia; reflections on the conduct of the Arians. 1. Perhaps news has reached even yourselves concerning the Council, which is at this time the subject of general conversation; for letters both from the Emperor and the Prefects
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius

A Defence of the Doctrine of Justification, by Faith in Jesus Christ;
SHEWING, TRUE GOSPEL-HOLINESS FLOWS FROM THENCE; OR, MR. FOWLER'S PRETENDED DESIGN OF CHRISTIANITY, PROVED TO BE NOTHING MORE THAN TO TRAMPLE UNDER FOOT THE BLOOD OF THE SON OF GOD; AND THE IDOLIZING OF MAN'S OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS AS ALSO, HOW WHILE HE PRETENDS TO BE A MINISTER OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND, HE OVERTHROWETH THE WHOLESOME DOCTRINE CONTAINED IN THE 10TH, 11TH, AND 13TH, OF THE THIRTY-NINE ARTICLES OF THE SAME, AND THAT HE FALLETH IN WITH THE QUAKER AND ROMANIST, AGAINST THEM. BY JOHN BUNYAN
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Concerning the Scriptures.
Concerning the Scriptures. From these revelations of the Spirit of God to the saints, have proceeded the Scriptures of Truth, which contain, I. A faithful historical account of the actings of God's people in divers ages; with many singular and remarkable providences attending them. II. A prophetical account of several things, whereof some are already past, and some yet to come. III. A full and ample account of all the chief principles of the doctrine of Christ, held forth in divers precious declarations,
Robert Barclay—Theses Theologicae and An Apology for the True Christian Divinity

Proverbs
Many specimens of the so-called Wisdom Literature are preserved for us in the book of Proverbs, for its contents are by no means confined to what we call proverbs. The first nine chapters constitute a continuous discourse, almost in the manner of a sermon; and of the last two chapters, ch. xxx. is largely made up of enigmas, and xxxi. is in part a description of the good housewife. All, however, are rightly subsumed under the idea of wisdom, which to the Hebrew had always moral relations. The Hebrew
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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