Proverbs 30

Pr 30:1-33.

1. This is the title of this chapter

(see

Introduction).

the prophecy--literally, "the burden" (compare

Isa 13:1;

Zec 9:1),

used for any divine instruction; not necessarily a prediction, which was

only a kind of prophecy

(1Ch 15:27,

"a song"). Prophets were inspired men, who spoke for God to man, or for

man to God

(Ge 20:7;

Ex 7:14, 15, 16).

Such, also, were the New Testament prophets. In a general sense, Gad,

Nathan, and others were such, who were divine teachers, though we do

not learn that they ever predicted.

the man spake--literally, "the saying of the man"; an expression used

to denote any solemn and important announcement (compare

2Sa 23:1;

Ps 36:1; 110:1;

Isa 1:24,

&c.). Ithiel and Ucal were perhaps pupils.

2-4. brutish--stupid, a strong term to denote his lowly

self-estimation; or he may speak of such as his natural condition, as

contrasted with God's all-seeing comprehensive knowledge and almighty

power. The questions of this clause emphatically deny the attributes

mentioned to be those of any creature, thus impressively strengthening

the implied reference of the former to God (compare

De 30:12-14;

Isa 40:12;

Eph 4:8).

5. (Compare

Ps 12:6; 119:140).

6. Add . . . words--implying that his sole reliance was on God's

all-sufficient teaching.

reprove thee--or, "convict thee"--and so the falsehood will appear.

7-9. A prayer for exemption from wickedness, and the extremes of

poverty and riches, the two things mentioned. Contentment is implied

as desired.

8. vanity--all sorts of sinful acts

(Job 11:11;

Isa 5:18).

9. be full . . . deny--that is, puffed up by the pride of prosperity.

take the name . . . vain--This is not (Hebrew) the form

(compare

Ex 20:7),

but "take" rather denotes laying violent hold on any thing; that is,

lest I assail God's name or attributes, as justice, mercy, &c., which

the poor are tempted to do.

10. Accuse not--Slander not

(Ps 10:7).

curse . . . guilty--lest, however lowly, he be exasperated to turn on

thee, and your guilt be made to appear.

11-14. Four kinds of hateful persons--(1) graceless children, (2)

hypocrites, (3) the proud, (4) cruel oppressors (compare on

Pr 30:14;

Ps 14:4; 52:2)

--are now illustrated; (1)

Pr 30:15, 16,

the insatiability of prodigal children and their fate; (2)

Pr 30:17,

hypocrisy, or the concealment of real character; (3 and 4)

Pr 30:18-20,

various examples of pride and oppression.

15, 16. horse leech--supposed by some to be the vampire (a fabulous

creature), as being literally insatiable; but the other subjects

mentioned must be taken as this, comparatively insatiable. The use of a

fabulous creature agreeably to popular notions is not inconsistent with

inspiration.

There are three . . . yea, four--(Compare

Pr 6:16).

17. The eye--for the person, with reference to the use of the organ to

express mockery and contempt, and also as that by which punishment is

received.

the ravens . . . eagles . . . eat--either as dying unnaturally, or

being left unburied, or both.

18-20. Hypocrisy is illustrated by four examples of the concealment

of all methods or traces of action, and a pertinent example of double

dealing in actual vice is added, that is, the adulterous woman.

20. she eateth . . . mouth--that is, she hides the evidences of her

shame and professes innocence.

21-23. Pride and cruelty, the undue exaltation of those unfit to

hold power, produce those vices which disquiet society (compare

Pr 19:10; 28:3).

23. heir . . . mistress--that is, takes her place as a wife

(Ge 16:4).

24-31. These verses provide two classes of apt illustrations of

various aspects of the moral world, which the reader is left to apply.

(Pr 30:25-28),

diligence and providence are commended; the success of these

insignificant animals being due to their instinctive sagacity and

activity, rather than strength. The other class

(Pr 30:30, 31)

provides similes for whatever is majestic or comely, uniting efficiency

with gracefulness.

26. conies--mountain mice, or rabbits.

28. spider--tolerated, even in palaces, to destroy flies.

taketh . . . hands--or, uses with activity the limbs provided for

taking prey.

32. As none can hope, successfully, to resist such a king, suppress

even the thought of an attempt.

lay . . . hand upon thy mouth--"lay" is well supplied

(Jud 18:19;

Job 29:9; 40:4).

33. That is, strife--or other ills, as surely arise from

devising evil as natural effects from natural causes.