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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Proverbs 30:2 Surely I am the most ignorant of men, and I lack the understanding of a man.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/30-2.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/20_Pro_30_02.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 30:2 - The Words of Agur" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Surely I am the most ignorant of men, and I lack the understanding of a man." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/proverbs/30-2.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/proverbs/30-2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/proverbs/">Proverbs</a> > <a href="/proverbs/30.htm">Chapter 30</a> > Verse 2</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad2.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/proverbs/30-1.htm" title="Proverbs 30:1">◄</a> Proverbs 30:2 <a href="/proverbs/30-3.htm" title="Proverbs 30:3">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/proverbs/30.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/proverbs/30.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Surely I am only a brute, not a man; I do not have human understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/30.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />I am too stupid to be human, and I lack common sense.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/30.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Surely I am too stupid to be a man. I have not the understanding of a man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/30.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Surely I am the most ignorant of men, and I lack the understanding of a man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/30.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Surely I <i>am</i> more brutish than <i>any</i> man, and have not the understanding of a man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/30.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Surely I <i>am</i> more stupid than <i>any</i> man, And do not have the understanding of a man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/30.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />I am certainly more stupid than any man, And I do not have the understanding of a man;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/30.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Surely I am more stupid than any man, And I do not have the understanding of a man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/30.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Surely I am more stupid than any man, And I do not have the understanding of a man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/30.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Surely I am more senseless than any man, And I do not have the understanding of mankind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/30.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Surely I am more brutish <i>and</i> stupid than any man, And I do not have the understanding of a man [for I do not know what I do not know].<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/30.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I am more stupid than any other person, and I lack a human’s ability to understand.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/30.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />I am more stupid than any other man, and I lack man&#8217s ability to understand. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/30.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Surely I am more brutish than any man, And have not the understanding of a man;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/30.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />I am far too stupid to be considered human. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/30.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Surely I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/30.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />I'm more [like] a dumb animal than a human being. I don't [even] have human understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/30.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />I am more like an animal than a human being; I do not have the sense we humans should have. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/30.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Surely I am beyond the senselessness of any man; I do not perceive things the way human beings do.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/30.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Surely I am the most ignorant of men, and I lack the understanding of a man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/30.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Surely I am more brutish than any other human being, and I do not have human understanding; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/30.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"Surely I am the most ignorant man, and do not have a man's understanding.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/30.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Surely I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/30.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“Surely I am the most ignorant man, and don’t have a man’s understanding. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/30.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />For I am more brutish than anyone, "" And do not have the understanding of a man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/30.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> For I am more brutish than any one, And have not the understanding of a man.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/30.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For I am brutish more than man, and not the understanding of a man to me.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/30.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />I am the most foolish of men, and the wisdom of men is not with me. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/30.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />“I am the most foolish among men, and the wisdom of men is not with me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/30.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />I am more brute than human being, without even human intelligence; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/30.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Surely I am too stupid to be human; I do not have human understanding.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/30.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Surely, I am weak minded, and have not the understanding of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/30.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Because my thoughts are deficient and I do not have the understanding of the children of men,<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/30.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Surely I am brutish, unlike a man, And have not the understanding of a man;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/30.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />For I am the most simple of all men, and there is not in me the wisdom of men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/30-2.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=6145" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/30.htm">The Words of Agur</a></span><br><span class="reftext">1</span>These are the words of Agur son of Jakeh—the burden that this man declared to Ithiel: “I am weary, O God, and worn out. <span class="reftext">2</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">Surely</a> <a href="/hebrew/595.htm" title="595: ’ā·nō·ḵî (Pro-1cs) -- I. Sometimes; a primitive pro. I.">I am</a> <a href="/hebrew/1198.htm" title="1198: ḇa·‘ar (Adj-ms) -- Brutishness. From ba'ar; properly, foot; i.e. Of cattle brutishness; stupid.">the most ignorant</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: mê·’îš (Prep-m:: N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">of men,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō- (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">and I lack</a> <a href="/hebrew/998.htm" title="998: ḇî·naṯ (N-fsc) -- An understanding. From biyn; understanding.">the understanding</a> <a href="/hebrew/120.htm" title="120: ’ā·ḏām (N-ms) -- Man, mankind. From 'adam; ruddy i.e. A human being.">of a man.</a> <a href="/hebrew/lî (Prep:: 1cs) -- "></a> </span><span class="reftext">3</span>I have not learned wisdom, and I have no knowledge of the Holy One.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/11-12.htm">Job 11:12</a></span><br />But a witless man can no more become wise than the colt of a wild donkey can be born a man!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/1-25.htm">1 Corinthians 1:25</a></span><br />For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/7-23.htm">Ecclesiastes 7:23</a></span><br />All this I tested by wisdom, saying, “I resolve to be wise.” But it was beyond me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/10-14.htm">Jeremiah 10:14</a></span><br />Every man is senseless and devoid of knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols. For his molten images are a fraud, and there is no breath in them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/3-18.htm">1 Corinthians 3:18-19</a></span><br />Let no one deceive himself. If any of you thinks he is wise in this age, he should become a fool, so that he may become wise. / For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/73-22.htm">Psalm 73:22</a></span><br />I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before You.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-22.htm">Romans 1:22</a></span><br />Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/44-25.htm">Isaiah 44:25</a></span><br />who foils the signs of false prophets and makes fools of diviners, who confounds the wise and turns their knowledge into nonsense,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/8-2.htm">1 Corinthians 8:2</a></span><br />The one who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/32-9.htm">Job 32:9</a></span><br />It is not only the old who are wise, or the elderly who understand justice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/11-19.htm">2 Corinthians 11:19</a></span><br />For you gladly put up with fools, since you are so wise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/92-6.htm">Psalm 92:6</a></span><br />A senseless man does not know, and a fool does not understand,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/19-11.htm">Isaiah 19:11</a></span><br />The princes of Zoan are mere fools; Pharaoh’s wise counselors give senseless advice. How can you say to Pharaoh, “I am one of the wise, a son of eastern kings”?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/2-14.htm">1 Corinthians 2:14</a></span><br />The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/28-28.htm">Job 28:28</a></span><br />And He said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Surely I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man.</p><p class="hdg">i am</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/42-3.htm">Job 42:3-6</a></b></br> Who <i>is</i> he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/73-22.htm">Psalm 73:22</a></b></br> So foolish <i>was</i> I, and ignorant: I was <i>as</i> a beast before thee.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/6-5.htm">Isaiah 6:5</a></b></br> Then said I, Woe <i>is</i> me! for I am undone; because I <i>am</i> a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.</p><p class="hdg">brutish</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/5-12.htm">Proverbs 5:12</a></b></br> And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/92-6.htm">Psalm 92:6</a></b></br> A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/10-14.htm">Jeremiah 10:14</a></b></br> Every man is brutish in <i>his</i> knowledge: every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image <i>is</i> falsehood, and <i>there is</i> no breath in them.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/23-28.htm">Beast</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-1.htm">Brutish</a> <a href="/psalms/73-22.htm">Ignorant</a> <a href="/proverbs/28-16.htm">Intelligence</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-16.htm">Power</a> <a href="/job/32-11.htm">Reasoning</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-21.htm">Stupid</a> <a href="/proverbs/23-28.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-7.htm">Understanding</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/33-23.htm">Unlike</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ecclesiastes/3-19.htm">Beast</a> <a href="/isaiah/19-11.htm">Brutish</a> <a href="/isaiah/56-10.htm">Ignorant</a> <a href="/isaiah/1-3.htm">Intelligence</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-26.htm">Power</a> <a href="/matthew/16-7.htm">Reasoning</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/10-3.htm">Stupid</a> <a href="/proverbs/30-4.htm">Surely</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/1-17.htm">Understanding</a> <a href="/isaiah/7-17.htm">Unlike</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 30</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/30-1.htm">Agur's confession of his faith</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/30-7.htm">The two points of his prayer</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/30-10.htm">The meanest are not to be wronged</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/30-11.htm">Four wicked generations</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/30-15.htm">Four things insatiable</a></span><br><span class="reftext">24. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/30-24.htm">four things exceeding wise</a></span><br><span class="reftext">29. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/30-29.htm">Four things stately</a></span><br><span class="reftext">32. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/30-32.htm">Wrath is to be prevented</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/30.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/proverbs/30.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Surely I am the most ignorant of men</b><br>This phrase reflects a profound humility and acknowledgment of human limitations. In the biblical context, it is attributed to Agur, son of Jakeh, who is expressing his awareness of his own lack of wisdom compared to God's infinite understanding. This humility is a recurring theme in Scripture, as seen in <a href="/job/42-3.htm">Job 42:3</a>, where Job admits his own ignorance before God. The cultural context of the ancient Near East valued wisdom highly, often associating it with age and experience. Agur's statement contrasts with this cultural norm, emphasizing that true wisdom comes from God alone. This humility is also a type of Christ, who, despite being God incarnate, demonstrated humility throughout His life (<a href="/philippians/2-5.htm">Philippians 2:5-8</a>).<p><b>and I lack the understanding of a man</b><br>This part of the verse further emphasizes Agur's recognition of his own limitations. In the Hebrew context, "understanding" often refers to discernment and insight, qualities highly esteemed in wisdom literature. Agur's admission can be seen as a critique of human wisdom that is not rooted in the fear of the Lord, which <a href="/proverbs/1-7.htm">Proverbs 1:7</a> identifies as the beginning of knowledge. This acknowledgment of lacking understanding is a call to seek divine wisdom, as <a href="/james/1-5.htm">James 1:5</a> encourages believers to ask God for wisdom. The phrase also connects to the broader biblical narrative that human understanding is flawed and incomplete without divine revelation, as seen in <a href="/1_corinthians/1-25.htm">1 Corinthians 1:25</a>, where God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/a/agur.htm">Agur</a></b><br>The author of <a href="/bsb/proverbs/30.htm">Proverbs 30</a>, Agur son of Jakeh, is a figure about whom little is known. His words reflect humility and a recognition of human limitations in understanding divine wisdom.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The context of Proverbs is rooted in the wisdom literature of ancient Israel, where the pursuit of wisdom and understanding was highly valued.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/w/wisdom_literature.htm">Wisdom Literature</a></b><br>Proverbs is part of the wisdom literature in the Bible, which includes Job, Ecclesiastes, and some Psalms. These books focus on practical and philosophical aspects of life.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/h/humility_in_wisdom.htm">Humility in Wisdom</a></b><br>Agur's declaration of ignorance is a profound expression of humility. In our pursuit of wisdom, we must recognize our limitations and depend on God for true understanding.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_acknowledging_limitations.htm">The Value of Acknowledging Limitations</a></b><br>Acknowledging our lack of understanding is the first step toward gaining true wisdom. It opens us to learning and receiving guidance from God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/dependence_on_god_for_understanding.htm">Dependence on God for Understanding</a></b><br>Human wisdom is limited. We must seek God's wisdom through prayer and study of His Word, trusting that He will provide the insight we need.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_scripture_in_gaining_wisdom.htm">The Role of Scripture in Gaining Wisdom</a></b><br>Regular engagement with Scripture is essential for growing in wisdom. The Bible provides divine guidance that surpasses human understanding.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_fear_of_the_lord_as_the_foundation_of_wisdom.htm">The Fear of the Lord as the Foundation of Wisdom</a></b><br>True wisdom begins with a reverent fear of the Lord. This foundational principle is echoed throughout the wisdom literature and is crucial for a life that honors God.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_30.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 30</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_was_abiram_in_the_bible.htm">What signifies the wide gate leading to destruction?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_is_blessed_in_the_lord's_name.htm">What advice do the ungodly offer?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_ecclesiastes_10_2_culturally_biased.htm">Does the association of the wise with the 'right' and fools with the 'left' (Ecclesiastes 10:2) reflect outdated cultural biases, and how does it align with modern moral or ethical views?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'unveiled_face'_reveal_on_identity.htm">What disrupts harmony like vinegar on soda?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/30.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(2) <span class= "bld">Surely I am more brutish than any man.--</span>Rather, <span class= "ital">than that I can be called a man, </span>one "formed in the image of God." (Comp. <a href="/psalms/73-22.htm" title="So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before you.">Psalm 73:22</a>.)<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/30.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 2 and 3</span> confirm what is said in ver. 1 concerning the fruitlessness of the investigation there mentioned; the more he sought and studied, the more conscious he became of his own ignorance and of God's incomreprehensibility. <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 2.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Surely I am more brutish than any man</span> "Surely" (<span class="accented">ki</span>) should be "for" (see note on ver. l). Cheyne, "I am too stupid for a man;" I am a mere irrational beast (comp. <a href="/proverbs/12-1.htm">Proverbs 12:1</a>; <a href="/psalms/73-22.htm">Psalm 73:22</a>). <span class="cmt_word">And have not the understanding of a man</span>. I am not worthy to be called a man, as I possess not the intellectual faculty which a man ought to have. This is not ironical, as if he did not desire the statement to be taken in its full sense, and meant to say, "Of course it is my own stupidity that is in fault;" but it is a genuine confession of incompetence to investigate the subject matter, which is too mysterious for his mental powers to penetrate. Thus Solomon acknowledges that he is but a little child, nod prays for an understanding heart (<a href="/1_kings/3-7.htm">1 Kings 3:7, 9</a>; comp. Wisd. 9:5; <a href="/matthew/11-25.htm">Matthew 11:25</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/30-2.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">“Surely</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֤י</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I [am]</span><br /><span class="heb">אָנֹכִ֣י</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·nō·ḵî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_595.htm">Strong's 595: </a> </span><span class="str2">I</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the most ignorant</span><br /><span class="heb">בַ֣עַר</span> <span class="translit">(ḇa·‘ar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1198.htm">Strong's 1198: </a> </span><span class="str2">Foot, of cattle brutishness, stupid</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of men,</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵאִ֑ישׁ</span> <span class="translit">(mê·’îš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> </span><span class="str2">A man as an individual, a male person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and I lack</span><br /><span class="heb">וְלֹֽא־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the understanding</span><br /><span class="heb">בִינַ֖ת</span> <span class="translit">(ḇî·naṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_998.htm">Strong's 998: </a> </span><span class="str2">An understanding</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of a man.</span><br /><span class="heb">אָדָ֣ם</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·ḏām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_120.htm">Strong's 120: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ruddy, a human being</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/30-2.htm">Proverbs 30:2 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/30-2.htm">Proverbs 30:2 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/30-2.htm">Proverbs 30:2 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/30-2.htm">Proverbs 30:2 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/30-2.htm">Proverbs 30:2 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/30-2.htm">Proverbs 30:2 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/30-2.htm">Proverbs 30:2 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/30-2.htm">Proverbs 30:2 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/30-2.htm">Proverbs 30:2 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/30-2.htm">Proverbs 30:2 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/30-2.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 30:2 Surely I am the most ignorant man (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/30-1.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 30:1"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 30:1" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/30-3.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 30:3"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 30:3" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>