Read Proverbs Read Proverbs 30.1-16. In verses 1-10: This poem is the most puzzling section in Proverbs. Verses 1-6 were the original unit, but later vv. 1-10 were edited to make a new and larger speech. Verses 1-6 evoke old passages such as Ps 18.30 (Prov 30.5), Ps 73.22 (Prov 30.2a), Deut 4.2 (Prov 30.6), Deut 30.11-14 (Prov 30.4a). Also influential are the divine questions beginning with "Who?" in Job 38-41 and Isa 40-45 (see Prov 30.4b-d). In vv. 1-6 Agur delivers an oracle ("ne'um," v. 1) that did not come from his own efforts, for he is worn out, incapable of wisdom, and does not know God (vv. 2-3). In deed no human being can have divine wisdom, for who is capable of bringing it down from heaven (v.4a)? In fact, no act of wisdom and power is possible for human being (v. 4b-d)! In the process of acknowledging his own impotence and ignorance, Agur finds the assuring word of God, which is reliable and protects him just as it protected the Psalmist in Ps 12 and 18 (v. 5). One should not add to the divine word (v.6). Agur now prays to speak the truth and to have the basic necessities of life (vv. 7-8) lest he offend the God who has rescued him from exhaustion and ignorance (v. 9). Verse 10 concludes vv. 1-9, for Do not resprises v. 6. Curse in verse 10b links to what follows. In verses 11-14: The poem is united by anaphora. there seems to be a progression from disdaining parental advice (v. 11), to overestimating one's situation (v. 12), to arrogance (v. 13), resulting in cruelty directed toward the lowly (v. 14). Comments or Questions..
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