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Proverbs Thirty

1. Agur the son of Jakeh is the author of Proverbs 30.
   1. אָגוּר ’āguwr ^#94: gathered.
   2. יָקֶה yāqeh ^#3348: blameless.
   3. Some have viewed “Gathered” the son of “Blameless” poetic language referring to Solomon the son of David.
   4. It is better to accept that Agur is otherwise unknown to readers of Scripture, as are his two pupils, Ithiel and Ucal.
2. Agur begins his proverbial message with a declaration of humility (Prov. 30:2-3), and a stated desire to know by name the Holy One and His Son (Prov. 30:4).
3. Agur teaches the primacy of Scripture (Prov. 30:5-6).
4. Agur had two basic daily prayer requests (Prov. 30:7-9).
   1. The spiritual-life request—protect him from the false message of evil (Prov. 30:8a).
   2. The temporal-life request—provide him with sufficient provision for the day (Prov. 30:8b,c).
      1. Not too much (Prov. 30:9a).
      2. Not too little (Prov. 30:9b).
5. Agur describes a generation that follows Satan’s self-centered system (Prov. 30:11-17).
6. Agur describes the necessity for wisdom in romantic relationships (Prov. 30:18-19).
   1. The x, x+1 formula occurs once again here, highlighting the x+1 item: the way of a man with a maid.
   2. Romantic relationships may soar high (the eagle) indicating great happiness.
   3. Romantic relationships may slither low (the serpent) indicating great misery.
   4. Romantic relationships are subject to stormy winds (the ship) indicating the precarious nature of romance.
   5. Wisdom in romantic relationships is particularly vital because the world system has a totally different standard for sexual activity (Prov. 30:20).
7. Agur describes the nature of improper promotion (Prov. 30:21-23), and the wisdom that is often found in little things (Prov. 30:24-28).
8. Agur illustrates examples of majestic parades (Prov. 30:29-31), and the dangers of self-exaltation (Prov. 30:32-33).

Proverbs Thirty-One

1. King Lemuel is the author of Proverbs 31.
   1. לְמוּאֵל l^emuw’ēl ^#3927: for God.
   2. Some have viewed Lemuel as a mother’s name (Bathsheba’s name) for Solomon.
   3. It is better to accept the fact that Lemuel and his mother are otherwise unknown to the readers of Scripture.
2. Lemuel’s mother warned him against dangers to his throne (Prov. 31:2-7).
   1. Women (Prov. 31:3).
   2. Alcohol (Prov. 31:4-7).
3. Lemuel’s mother admonished him to fulfill his responsibilities to the afflicted and needy (Prov. 31:8-9).
4. The Virtuous Woman (Prov. 31:10-31) is a song taught by Lemuel’s mother (Prov. 31:1).
   1. The song is an acrostic psalm—each verse beginning with sequential letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
   2. Psalms began with “the ideal man” (Psa. 1:13), and Proverbs concludes with “the ideal woman” (Prov. 31:10-31).
5. The acrostic:
   א. Every woman should strive to be an אֵשֶׁת־חַיִל ’ēsheth-chayil: woman of excellence (Prov. 31:10; Ruth 3:11).  Every man should search for such a woman to be his wife.
   בּ. A husband can בָּטַח bātach ^#982 trust his wife (Prov. 31:11), because he trusts in the Lord (Psa. 22:4-5), who provided this wife for him (Prov. 18:22; 19:14).
   גּ. She should גָּמַל gāmal ^#1580 express bountiful goodness to her husband (Prov. 31:12; Rom. 12:10).
   דּ. Her bountiful goodness comes as she דָּרַשׁ dārash ^#1875 hunts for craft materials (Prov. 31:13).
   ה. She הָיָה hāyāh ^#1961 becomes like merchant ships bringing her food from afar (Prov. 31:14).
   ו. She rises early to start the day right (Prov. 31:15). {The acrostic “cheats” here}
   ז. She also engages in productive financial endeavors on behalf of the family income, as she זָמַם zāmam ^#2161 considers wise real-estate investments.
   ח. She חָגַר chāgar ^#2296 girds her loins with strength and makes her arms strong (Prov. 31:17).
   ט. Her Godly work leaves a good טָעַם tā‘am ^#2938 taste in her mouth as she understands the value of her work-assignment (Prov. 31:18).
   י. Her יָד yād ^#3027 hands and palms are busy at night (Prov. 31:19) so that
   כּ. Her כַּף kaph ^#3709 palms and hands can be gracious to the poor and needy (Prov. 31:20).
   ל. She לֹא lō’ ^#3808 does not fear for her household, because the Lord has graciously provided for them (Prov. 31:21).
   מ. She does not crave her husband’s gifts, as she has manufactured her own מַרְבַדִּים marbaddiym ^#4765 bedding and formal wear (Prov. 31:22).
   נ. Her husband is {another acrostic-saving cheat} נוֹדָע nowdā‘ ^#3045 known because of her Godliness and blessing towards him (Prov. 31:23).
   ס. She has additional income through selling סָדִין cādiyn ^#5466 linen wraps and belts (Prov. 31:24).
   ע. She has dressed herself with spiritual עֹז ‘ōz ^#5797 strength and dignity (Prov. 31:25; 1st Tim. 2:9-10; 1st Pet. 3:3-4).
   פּ. Her פֶּה peh ^#6310 mouth is a source of wisdom and kind teaching for her children (Prov. 31:26).
   צ. She is a צָפָה tsāphāh ^#6822 watchman for the ways of her household (Prov. 31:27).
   ק. Her children and her husband קוּם quwm ^#6965 rise (Prov. 31:28) to bless her and praise her for—
   ר. Excelling in comparison to רַב rab ^#7227 many other noble women (Prov. 31:29).
   שׁ. Outer beauty is שֶׁקֶר sheqer ^#8267 deceitful and empty.  Women should be striving for inner beauty, and that should be the priority for men to seek as well (Prov. 31:30).
   תּ. Men are commanded {cheat!} תְּנוּ־לָ֭הּ to grant the woman of excellence the fruit of her hands (Prov. 31:31; 1st Pet. 3:7).