June 22

Proverbs 30-31 (biblegateway.com)

Wisdom from the Humble and the Noble

The book of Proverbs concludes with two distinct and powerful voices, Agur and King Lemuel, each of whom offers wisdom rooted in humility, reverence, and practical insight. Proverbs 30, attributed to Agur, expresses awe at the majesty of God and a profound recognition of human limitations. His sayings are filled with wonder, poetic imagery, and warnings against pride, greed, and folly. Agur’s prayer for neither poverty nor riches but only daily bread reflects a heart of contentment and dependence on God. Proverbs 31 opens with the teachings of King Lemuel’s mother, offering counsel on leadership, justice, and personal restraint. It culminates in the famous acrostic poem describing the noble wife—a portrait of strength, dignity, wisdom, and faithful service. Together, these chapters encapsulate the Proverbs’ core message: wisdom flows from the fear of the Lord and is seen in how one lives with integrity, humility, and purpose.

Proverbs 30 - The Sayings of Agur

Agur is a lesser-known figure, possibly non-Israelite, but his words are included in the Hebrew wisdom tradition. His tone is more personal, contemplative, and sometimes even skeptical, marked by a humble awareness of human limitations in the face of divine wisdom.

The chapter opens with Agur’s humble confession of his limited understanding and inability to grasp the fullness of God’s wisdom (v. 1-3). His posture reflects the humility seen in both Job and Solomon: true wisdom begins not with self-assurance but with reverent awe of God. Agur’s words stand in contrast to the prideful belief that humans can fully comprehend divine truth—a belief often celebrated in a world that prizes self-confidence over godly fear. As Proverbs 1:7 reminds us, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, and wisdom begins with recognizing what we do not know.

He then asks a series of rhetorical questions about the majesty of God, asking who has ascended to heaven, gathered the wind, bound the waters, or established the earth’s boundaries (v. 4). The implied answer is “no one but God.” Only God holds the power, knowledge, and authority Agur longs for. This section echoes the grandeur of God described in Job 38-41 and serves to remind us of His unmatched power. It also points forward to Jesus, who alone fulfills this cosmic description (John 3:13). Because God is infinite, certain aspects of his nature will always remain a mystery. Compare these questions with the questions God asked Job. Use these questions to probe your own humility and awe before your Creator.

Agur upholds the perfection and purity of God’s Word, declaring that it is flawless and a shield to those who take refuge in Him (v. 5). He warns against adding to God’s words, lest one be proven a liar (v. 6). This is a serious reminder that God’s revelation is sufficient and authoritative. We are called to trust and submit to it, not manipulate or distort it.

In a personal and heartfelt prayer, Agur asks for two things before he dies: to be kept from falsehood and to be given neither poverty nor riches—just daily bread (v. 7-9). This prayer for simplicity and integrity echoes Jesus’ instruction to pray for “daily bread” (Matthew 6:11) and reminds us that both poverty and wealth can become spiritually dangerous. Ultimately, He desires a life that honors God without distraction or deceit.

Agur warns against slanderous speech to one’s masters (v. 10), reminding us that careless words can lead to unnecessary conflict and judgment. This verse serves as a reminder to treat others justly, regardless of social status. Agur, then, laments generational wickedness. The next section describes four types of people that represent degenerating generations: those who dishonor parents, those who are self-righteous, those who are arrogant and have a haughty view of themselves, and those who exploit the poor (v. 11-14). These verses reflect societal decay when godly fear and humility are lost. Every generation must examine itself before God.

Beginning in verse 15, Agur uses poetic numerical sayings to highlight the insatiable nature of certain things. The leech, crying “Give! Give!” represents greed. He then lists four things that never say “enough”: the grave, the barren womb, the land never satisfied with water, and fire (v. 15-16). These images reflect the restless, consuming nature of life in a fallen world, illustrating that without God, no amount of gain can satisfy the soul. It is only in God that our deepest longings can find true satisfaction.

Mocking or scorning parents is described with graphic imagery: vultures plucking out eyes (v. 17). This underscores the biblical theme that dishonoring father or mother invites serious consequences (Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 27:16). Respect for authority and family is not just a cultural value; it’s a spiritual principle.

The next section marvels at four things too wonderful for Agur to understand: the way of an eagle in the sky, a serpent on a rock, a ship on the sea, and the way of a man with a young woman (v. 18-19). These highlight both the mystery and beauty of life and love, things that are awe-inspiring and yet not fully explainable. They remind us that God’s world is filled with wonder, and not all wisdom is reducible to simple formulas. Not everything is meant to be fully understood.

In contrast to verse 19’s wonder, verse 20 condemns the callousness of the adulteress who sins and feels no remorse. This shows how sin can sear the conscience, leading to self-deception. It’s a call for personal holiness and awareness of how far sin can take a person from truth and accountability. Sin desensitizes; without repentance, the heart grows numb.

Verses 21–23 present four situations that cause social disruption or unrest: a slave who becomes king, a fool filled with food, a contemptible woman who gains a husband, and a maid who displaces her mistress. These scenarios warn against potential arrogance, entitlement, and lack of stewardship. These aren’t moral judgments on status, but observations about how sudden reversals of fortune or inappropriate elevation often lead to chaos and pride when not guided by wisdom.

In contrast, verses 24–28 offer four examples of small creatures that are wise: ants who store food, rock badgers who live in strongholds, locusts who advance in unity, and lizards who can be caught with the hand yet live in palaces. Each of these creatures illustrates a trait we are to emulate: preparation, security, cooperation, and resilience. God’s wisdom is evident even in the smallest of His creations. Size doesn’t equal significance. God honors diligence, foresight, and strategic action.

Agur concludes with a poetic reflection on four things stately in movement: a lion, a strutting rooster, a male goat, and a king secure in his army (v. 29-31). Each shows confidence and presence. These images remind us of the God-given authority, order, and strength that characterize effective leadership. Agur, then, ends with a sober warning: if you’ve acted foolishly or arrogantly, cover your mouth and humble yourself (v. 32-33). Stop exalting yourself and stirring strife. Like pressing milk produces butter, so stirring anger produces conflict. Pride and provocation must be put away.

Proverbs 31 – The Sayings of King Lemuel & the “Virtuous Woman”

The chapter opens with the wisdom of a mother passed down to her son, King Lemuel, serving as a reminder that godly instruction begins at home and highlighting the powerful influence of a godly woman shaping leadership through wisdom and truth. (v. 1). She challenges him to guard his strength and his ways, warning against indulging in pursuits that destroy kings (v. 3). This isn’t a condemnation of women but a call to moral purity and wisdom, especially for those in positions of influence. History and Scripture demonstrate how unchecked desire can ruin leaders (see Samson, David, and Solomon).

She also warns against drunkenness, especially for rulers (v. 4-5). A leader dulled by alcohol will lose clarity, forget justice, and neglect the vulnerable.1 However, alcohol can be used medicinally or for the deeply distressed (v. 6-7), showing that Scripture isn’t simplistic. It’s nuanced in its moral wisdom. Still, leaders are called to higher accountability. Her exhortation ends with a powerful challenge: speak up for the voiceless and defend the rights of the poor and needy (v. 8-9). This sets the tone for the rest of the chapter—a life marked by wisdom, strength, and compassion.

The Excellent Wife (Verses 10–31)

The well-known description of the “excellent wife” begins in verse 10. She is a woman of rare value, more precious than jewels. Her worth is found not merely in charm or beauty but in godly character, diligence, and wisdom. She earns the full trust of her husband, who lacks nothing because of her integrity and strength (v. 11-12). This is not a one-sided relationship. His heart safely trusts her, and she does him good all her life. This mutual, covenantal love reflects Christ’s love for His Church.

She works eagerly and wisely. She seeks out wool and flax and works willingly with her hands (v. 13). Like a merchant ship, she brings in what’s needed from afar (v. 14). She rises early, not in panic but in purpose, to provide for her household and organize her responsibilities (v. 15). Her diligence sets the tone for her household. She manages with grace and discipline.

She’s a planner and investor, considering a field and buying it, not impulsively, but wisely, and she plants a vineyard with her own earnings (v. 16). 2 This woman is not idle; she is strong, productive, and intentional. Stewardship and wise investment are part of godly living.

She girds herself with strength and keeps her arms strong (v. 17), symbolizing both physical diligence and emotional resilience. Godly womanhood includes both inner and outer strength—prepared, active, and enduring. She is confident in her work. Her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night, symbolizing perseverance, alertness, and spiritual readiness (v. 18). She works hard, but she also works smart. She is skilled with her hands. Her labor is honorable, not burdensome. Whether domestic or professional, she approaches work with excellence. She opens her arms to the poor and needy, and her strength isn’t self-serving; it’s generous (v. 19-20).

She’s not afraid of winter, for her household is clothed in scarlet (v. 21). Her home is well-made, and her clothing is fine linen and purple (v. 22), signifying dignity and honor. 3 Her husband is respected, partly because of her, and he sits with elders at the gate (v. 23). A godly woman enhances the life and calling of her husband, just as he is to honor and protect her.

She creates and sells garments (v. 24), reinforcing that she also contributes economically. Her strength and dignity clothe her, and she laughs at the time to come (v. 25). That phrase suggests confidence rooted in faith, not naiveté. She opens her mouth with wisdom and teaches kindness (v. 26). Her words are purposeful and seasoned with grace.

She watches over her household carefully and does not eat the bread of idleness (v. 27). In response, her children and husband rise up and bless her, praising her with gratitude and admiration (v. 28). Many women do noble things, but she surpasses them all, not because of outer beauty, but because she fears the Lord (v. 29-30). This verse reframes everything: charm is deceptive, and beauty fades, but the fear of the Lord lasts forever.

The chapter closes by calling for this woman to be honored and praised publicly (v. 31). Her works speak for themselves. She doesn’t need to self-promote, as her life is a testimony to God’s wisdom in action.

Proverbs offers extensive insight into the character and role of women, and it is fitting that the book concludes with a portrait of a woman marked by strength, wisdom, skill, and compassion. Contrary to common misconceptions, the biblical ideal is not of a woman who is passive, subservient, or confined solely to domestic duties. Rather, the woman in Proverbs 31 is portrayed as both a devoted wife and mother, as well as a capable and enterprising individual. She engages in business, manages property, oversees household affairs, and makes significant contributions to her family’s economic and social well-being.

Her accomplishments are impressive—she is described as a manufacturer, trader, real estate investor, farmer, and artisan. Yet, the source of her dignity and strength is not merely her productivity, but her deep reverence for the Lord. Notably, physical appearance is never mentioned; her beauty is rooted in her character, not in outward features. In a culture that often elevates appearance, this biblical emphasis on virtue and fear of the Lord as the foundation of worth is both countercultural and timeless.

It is also worth considering that the woman described may be a composite figure—an idealized representation of womanhood rather than a literal individual. As such, the passage does not prescribe a checklist for women to follow in every detail, but rather offers a vision of excellence and godliness in action. While no one can embody every aspect of this portrait, the principles of industry, integrity, and wisdom remain relevant and inspiring for all.

What voices shape your values, God’s Word or cultural expectations? Whether you are a woman aspiring to this character or someone influenced by one, Proverbs 31 calls us all to value what God values: wisdom, faithfulness, justice, and reverence for Him. Do your efforts reflect a life of diligence and fear of the Lord (v. 10-31)? Are you using your influence to advocate for others (v. 8-9)? Seek to live a life that speaks long after your words do—a life rooted in godly wisdom and love.

Conclusion

Proverbs 30–31 close the book with a call to walk humbly before God and to live faithfully in all spheres of life, whether in prayerful dependence like Agur or in righteous leadership and noble service like the virtuous woman. These chapters celebrate wisdom not as abstract philosophy but as lived character: fearing the Lord, acting with justice, speaking with kindness, and working diligently for the good of others. The book that began with the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 1:7) ends with a woman who fears the Lord and is praised for it (Proverbs 31:30). As we finish Proverbs, we are left with a vision of what it means to live wisely—not for applause, but for God’s glory. May we pursue this wisdom daily, rooted in reverence, shaped by truth, and bearing fruit in every part of life.

Footnotes:

1. Proverbs 31:4-7 and Ancient Near Eastern Views on Drunkenness

The consumption of alcoholic beverages, particularly beer and wine made from dates or grapes, was well established in Mesopotamia and Egypt as early as the protoliterate period (ca. 4000 B.C.). Banqueting scenes in Assyrian art often depict men and women indulging in lavish feasts, drinking from cups or through straws—tools necessitated by the thick sediment (lees) in early brewing methods. The Babylonian creation epic Enuma Elish vividly portrays the gods partaking in such feasts, letting “the sweet liquor flow through their drinking tubes.” Similarly, a Sumerian hymn to the goddess Ninkasi celebrates the brewing process and expresses gratitude for the abundance of beer, likening its flow to the Tigris and Euphrates.

Despite its cultural prominence, the dangers of drunkenness were widely acknowledged. Biblical texts such as Psalm 69:12 and Proverbs 20:1, along with narrative accounts in Daniel 5:1-4 and Esther 1:3-8, portray intoxication as a source of disgrace and poor judgment. Egyptian wisdom literature also warns against the loss of self-control and social standing associated with excessive drinking. Interestingly, texts from Mari suggest that intoxication was at times viewed positively as a state conducive to receiving divine oracles. In light of this context, Proverbs 31:4-7 urges kings to avoid strong drink, emphasizing the potential of alcohol to impair judgment, especially for those responsible for justice and leadership. (Victor Harold Matthews, Mark W. Chavalas, and John H. Walton, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament, electronic ed. (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000), Proverbs 31:4-31).

2. Proverbs 31:16-24 and Female Economic Activity in the Ancient Near East

The description of the industrious woman in Proverbs 31—who purchases land, plants vineyards, and engages in the sale of fine textiles—presents an idealized model of female enterprise that surpasses the ordinary legal and social freedoms granted to women in the ancient Near East. While the Code of Hammurabi includes laws concerning women who operated inns or taverns, these activities were not equivalent to land ownership or broad commercial ventures. In most ancient Near Eastern societies, women did not typically possess the legal authority to purchase land independently; however, they certainly contributed labor alongside their families in the cultivation and management of land.

One notable exception was the textile industry, particularly weaving, which is well-attested as a domain of female labor and entrepreneurship. Weaving appears in numerous economic texts and legal codes as a legitimate sphere of professional activity for women. This likely serves as the historical foundation for the economic portrayal of the woman in Proverbs 31, with her ventures into trade and textile production symbolizing diligence, wisdom, and provision. The passage thus elevates and idealizes a woman’s role far beyond the cultural norms of the time, illustrating both her domestic and public competence. (Victor Harold Matthews, Mark W. Chavalas, and John H. Walton, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament, electronic ed. (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000), Proverbs 31:16-24).

3. Proverbs 31:21. Scarlet and 31:22. Fine linen and purple. 

A red or purple dye would have been expensive and reserved for the wealthy. A sheet of fine linen would have been a valuable and desirable commodity, to be used as a bed covering or cut into smaller pieces for garments. A purple dye made from the glandular fluid of sea mollusks would have been quite expensive and, in this context, is a symbol of how prosperous the ideal wife makes her household. (Victor Harold Matthews, Mark W. Chavalas, and John H. Walton, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament, electronic ed. (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2000), Proverbs 31:21-22).