Proverbs 30: Stupidity, Wisdom, and Hermeneutics ~ Part 1

  An Inductive Glance at Agur's Elucidation on the Inerrancy and Independent Sufficiency of God's Words

 

Most recently, I have had the privileged opportunity to contribute to a quarterly publication which discusses various theological topics and other such matters. As I explored what might be the subject of my article, I remembered a past article that I had written (and kept mostly to myself) on the 30th chapter of Proverbs. That chapter has been a one of interest to me (particularly the opening 6 verses), so I favored bringing it out again. Consequently, when it was actually suggested that I do so, I became fairly resolved and embarked on a rather time consuming trek through this portion of scripture, reviewing old conclusions and coming across more. I decided, right from the start actually, to completely rewrite and replace my past article, only using it for reference and/or to borrow certain things here and there as it seemed natural. Although I do consider it mostly 'finished' at this point, my new article is still subject to revising, rewording, repolishing and so forth. But, that aside, I still wanted to submit it here both for your scrutiny and, hopefully, edification. It turned out to be rather long, so I'm actually going to publish it as three different posts. The first part will occupy the bulk of this post, besides what you've already endured in this paragraph. And, lastly, I am open to your thoughts and "constructive criticism", as usual. Thanks!

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"¹ The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, the oracle. The man declares to Ithiel, to Ithiel and Ucal. 

² Surely I am more stupid than any man, and I do not have the understanding of a man. 
³ Neither have I learned wisdom, Nor do I have the knowledge of the Holy One. 
⁴ Who has ascended into heaven and descended?
Who has gathered the wind in His fists?
Who has wrapped the waters in His garment?
Who has established the ends of the earth?
What is His name or His son's name
Surely you know!
⁵ Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him. ⁶Do not add to His words, or He will reprove you, and you will be found a liar."

In the following paragraphs, we will dedicate some time and space to a somewhat cursory investigation of Proverbs 30, verses 1-6. We will then draw some conclusions on a most basic concept behind the proper method of handling the text of Scripture, generally referred to as proper "hermeneutics". This is not at all intended to be an exhaustive dissertation on either topic, but will serve to make a few points which are worth considering.

For convenience, I have included the passage of concern above, although I will refer to particular parts throughout the article. Also, once again reflecting the somewhat cursory nature of this inquisition, we will not tarry long enough to consider the addressees of this 'oracle', as defined in the opening verse, but will commit the bulk of our time to examining the actual content of the oracle. We will, however, remember from verse 1 that the author is an individual by the name of Agur, and, whatever the event may be, he is "declaring" the following message to his modestly populated audience, composed of Ithiel and Ucal. Now then, as we sit in on Agur's discourse, we will begin our thoughts where he does. Speaking of himself, he says in verse 2:

"Surely I am more stupid than any man, And I do not have the understanding of a man."

Right out of the gate, Agur's opening premise does a uniquely skillful job capturing his audiences' attention. Whether it was designed to do so or primarily serves some other purpose, we are by it confronted with a potentially puzzling dilemma: if this gentleman was indeed so stupid (as he claims), why, then, is he writing this chapter? If what he has said is true, why would we even bother learning from him? Even if he didn't write the rest of the chapter, and this was the only thing he said, what does he mean by this? Resorting to a Hebrew lexicon in hopes of a deeper meaning offers little consolation, as one will find that the word translated "stupid" really means..."stupid".

Various explanations could be offered, one being that this individual was simply a remarkably humble man. But if we are contented with that and dismiss the issue on those terms, does this mean Agur was stating something false in attempt to express his own humility? Are we now classifying pessimistic exaggeration as humility?

Leaving such an explanation, and others like it, to be content with discontentment, let's do our author a favor and simply take him seriously. Yes, he is stupid. And not just that, but when measured up against man in general, he is found to be more incredulous than they. It is beyond questioning, then, that he didn't consider himself an intellectual, nor a philosopher. Do recall that this is not someone else describing Agur in such a fashion, but this is Agur's evaluation of himself. When he compared himself against man, he found himself to be on the bottom of the totem-pole of intellect. That said, he goes onto inform us that...

"Neither have I learned wisdom, Nor do I have the knowledge of the Holy One."

Not content to leave bad enough alone, Agur now intimates that he hasn't satisfied the thrust of this concept merely in what he has said thus far. In the previous verse he established the inferiority of his cognitive powers as compared to man. Now, while he keeping himself in the equation, he begins to consider a different kind of knowledge: that of God. If we hadn't already read the verse, we may muse that here, perhaps, Agur can claim to have something commendable to offer. But no, we find only more of the same. Again speaking from his own self-evaluation, he conveys that he has neither progressively assimilated wisdom, nor does he currently possess "the knowledge of the Holy One." We should note that the previous verse states as positive "I am more stupid..." and this verse the negative "neither have I learned wisdom". The former verse ends referring to the "understanding of a man", and this one with "the knowledge of the Holy One", thus covering both bases.

So here is Agur's autobiographical sketch: when considered in comparison to man, he holds the record in stupidity. When examined for wisdom and/or the knowledge of God, both will be found to be absent from him. He, really, has nothing in these regards. But, before we abandon this passage as some hopeless scribal error or something, let's step back and look at what has happened: Agur has stripped himself of any personal credibility, and thus reliability, in the eyes of his audience. The reader is forced to conclude that anything originating from this man is, by default, neither unquestionable nor inerrant. If we are willing to take what he says to mean what he says, we are forced to conclude that he himself  isn't trustworthy, he isn't the source of any wisdom, his ideas and opinions aren't worth listening to, and we must thus concede with his own self-invalidation.

Before we continue, I must point out that with this kind of resume, it's little wonder that his audience was so small in verse 1. At least they both showed up.

Now, this is the last we hear from Agur about himself for the remainder of the chapter, except for his use of the 1st person pronoun in verses 7-9 as well as 18. He doesn't put qualifiers on what he has said thus far, nor does he come back later to tell you what he REALLY meant. This is where he leaves us, this is all we know. Having said what he said in these two verses, and dismissed trust in himself by doing so, he now moves on to another topic.

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