Proverbs 30: The Words of Agur
Best for: Contentment, gratitude
Overview
Proverbs 30 contains the unique words of Agur son of Jakeh, who humbly confesses his own limitations and marvels at God's greatness. He prays the famous prayer asking God for neither poverty nor riches but only daily bread. The chapter contains several numerical proverbs — 'three things, yea four' — that observe patterns in nature and human behavior, from the strength of ants to the majesty of a lion.
Key Verses
"Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain."— Proverbs 30:8-9 (KJV)
"Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him."— Proverbs 30:5 (KJV)
Key Themes
Reflection
Agur's prayer for 'neither poverty nor riches' is radical in our culture of more. What would it look like to pray for just enough — and truly mean it?
Practical Application
Pray Agur's prayer this week. Practice contentment by listing three things you're grateful for each morning, rather than focusing on what you lack.
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Read wisdom guideFrequently Asked Questions
What is Proverbs 30 about?
Proverbs 30 contains the unique words of Agur son of Jakeh, who humbly confesses his own limitations and marvels at God's greatness. He prays the famous prayer asking God for neither poverty nor riches but only daily bread. The chapter contains several numerical proverbs — 'three things, yea four' — that observe patterns in nature and human behavior, from the strength of ants to the majesty of a lion.
What does Proverbs 30 teach us?
Agur's prayer for 'neither poverty nor riches' is radical in our culture of more. What would it look like to pray for just enough — and truly mean it?
What are the key themes of Proverbs 30?
The key themes of Proverbs 30 include: Humility, Contentment, God's Greatness, Nature.
When should I read Proverbs 30?
Proverbs 30 is especially relevant for: Contentment, gratitude. Many people read it on the 30th of each month as part of a Proverbs-a-day plan.