Proverbs — Chapter 30

Verba Agur filii Jakeh. Locutio quam locutus est vir cum Ithiel, cum Ithiel et Ucal

The words of Agur son of Jakeh — the oracle. The man declares: I am weary, O God; I am weary, O God, and worn out. Lapide: Chapter 30 presents the \"Words of Agur,\" a mysterious figure. Lapide discusses at length whether Agur is an alias for Solomon himself (as Hebrew tradition held, and Lapide favors), or a different wise man. The opening verses (1-4) present the posture of deep humility before the incomprehensibility of God: \"I am more stupid than any man... Who has gone up to heaven and come down?... What is His name, and His Son's name?\" Lapide: This last question (v.4 — \"What is His Son's name?\") is one of the most remarkable pre-Christian allusions to the Trinity — Solomon/Agur already speaks of the divine Son.

Omnis sermo Dei ignitus est: clypeus est sperantibus in se

Every word of God is pure (refined, tested); He is a shield to those who trust in Him. Lapide: The perfection and reliability of sacred Scripture. \"Ignitum\" (Hebrew: saraph = refined/tested in fire) = God's word is like gold or silver refined in the furnace — it contains no dross, no error, no falsehood. \"Clypeus sperantibus\" = God is a shield (protector) to all who trust in Him. Lapide: The inerrancy of Scripture is a consequence of its divine origin; since God cannot err or deceive, every word He has spoken is absolutely trustworthy. This is a key text for Catholic biblical theology.

Sanguisugae duae sunt filiae, dicentes: Affer, affer

The leech has two daughters: Give, Give! Lapide: One of the most memorable images of Proverbs — the insatiability of greed personified. The leech (sanguisuga = blood-sucker) has two daughters who cry \"Give, Give!\" — an image of avarice, lust, or any passion that is never satisfied. Lapide lists four things that are never satisfied (vv. 15b-16): the netherworld, the barren womb, the earth that is never satisfied with water, and fire. These four are types of the insatiable soul that is never satisfied by earthly goods. Lapide: Only God can satisfy the soul — \"Our heart is restless until it rests in Thee\" (Augustine, Confessions I.1).