OET interlinear PROV 30:11

Section 30:1–33: Here are the sayings of Agur

This section is a collection of verses that were written or organized by Agur the son of Jakeh.Some scholars think that Agur wrote or collected only verses 1–4, 1–6, 1–9, or 1–14. UBS (page 617), Toy (page 518), and Longman (page 513) are among those who list some of these possibilities. The GNT indicates with quotation marks that Agur’s words end after v.6. No other versions indicate that Agur’s words end before the end of the chapter. Waltke (volume I, page 26) strongly defends the entire chapter as the “oracle” of Agur on the basis of its structural unity. Kidner (page 178) divides the chapter into two sections (1–9) and (10–33), but identifies both as coming from “the sage.” The title of this section (30:1a) is the only place in Scripture that Agur is mentioned. The section is divided into paragraphs that vary from one to five verses. The Notes will suggest a paragraph heading for all paragraphs after 30:1a. It is suggested that you use similar headings in your translation to help the readers follow the changes of topic and audience.

The first nine verses contain Agur’s personal thoughts and prayers. Some are addressed to God, others to his audience. The rest of the chapter contains proverbs on various topics. Some are individual warnings or statements (30:10, 17, 20, 32–33). Others contain several kinds of lists of four items each. The lists in verses 15b–16, 18–19, 21–23, and 29–31 have the same form as the numerical proverb in 6:16–19. (See the paragraph summary for 6:16–19 and the notes on 6:16a–b.) The lists in verses 11–14 and 24–28 have different forms. These will be described in the paragraph summaries where they first occur.

Some other headings for this section are:

The Words of Agur (ESV)

Wise Words from Agur (NCV)

Words that the LORD caused Agur to make known

Paragraph 30:11–14 Four kinds of wicked people

This paragraph lists four kinds or groups of people. It is not like the numerical proverb in 30:15–16, because it does not specify either the number three or four.

Each of the four verses begins with a Hebrew word that is literally “generation.” Each “generation” is a group of people that share a particular characteristic. In these verses, each of the four groups is guilty of a certain kind of sin.UBS (page 629), Ross (page 1121).

Some ways to introduce each of the four verses are:

There are those who… (ESV)

There is a group of people that… (NAB)

A certain kind of person… (GW)

Some people… (NCV)

There is a generation of those who curse their fathers

• ¶ There are some people who insult their fathers

• ¶ One kind of person asks God to punish his father.

(combined/reordered)

• Some people curse their father and mother and refuse to respect them.

• There is a kind of person that repeatedly insults his parents and never asks God to show his kindness/favor to them.

and do not bless their mothers.

• and never honor/respect their mothers.

• He even asks God to punish his own mother.

General Comment on 30:11a–b

• Emphasize the idea of not blessing their mothers. For example:

  and pronounces no blessing upon his mother (VOICE)

  and refuses to ask God to bless his mother

• Use the opposite idea of cursing their mothers. For example:

  and speak ill of their own mothers (REB)

In some languages, it may be clearer and more natural to combine and/or reorder the parallel parts. For example:

Some people curse their father and even their mother (CEV)

See 30:11a–b (combined/reordered) in the Display for more examples.