Understanding Proverbs 30:1 and Agur's Identity
Proverbs 30:1 introduces a new section of the book of Proverbs, stating, "The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, the oracle. The man declares to Ithiel, to Ithiel and Ucal" (NASB) [1]. This verse serves as a superscription, likely referring to the entirety of chapter 30 [5].
Agur is identified as "the son of Jakeh," but beyond this reference, both Agur and Jakeh remain largely unknown figures in biblical literature [5]. The name "Agur" itself means "gatherer" or "collector" [2, 3]. Some Jewish writers, such as Jarchi and Gersom, and some Christian commentators, have suggested that Agur might be a symbolic name for King Solomon, who is also known as Koheleth, meaning "the caller" or "preacher" [6]. In this view, Agur would be Solomon, who "gathered" wisdom [6, 7]. Matthew Henry suggests that Agur might have been a collector of wise sayings rather than an original composer, which could explain his statement in Proverbs 30:3, "I have not learned wisdom myself" [7]. Abraham Ibn Ezra, a rationalist Jewish commentator, believed Agur lived during Solomon's time, was righteous and knowledgeable, and that Solomon included his wisdom in the book of Proverbs [9]. Ibn Ezra also interprets "the man" (ha-gever) as referring to Agur, indicating his great wisdom [8].
The recipients of Agur's words are named as Ithiel and Ucal [1]. These are generally understood as proper names, possibly disciples or sons of Agur [4]. However, the passage is considered obscure by some scholars [4]. Ewald, for instance, views Ithiel and Ucal as symbolic names representing different types of thinkers to whom the poet addresses his message [4]. "Ucal" means "I am strong" [4], and "Ithiel" means "God is with me" [10]. Ibn Ezra offers an alternative, more allegorical interpretation, suggesting that "Ithiel" and "Ucal" could be puns related to a narrative about Solomon's potential folly concerning women and horses, and a subsequent repentance [10].
The identity of Agur as a non-Israelite has also been proposed, particularly if the phrase "from Massa" is considered a correct reading, as the tribe of Massa is mentioned in Assyrian texts [5]. Regardless of his precise identity, Agur's introduction in Proverbs 30:1 sets the stage for a section of wisdom literature that begins with a profound acknowledgment of human ignorance, a foundational step towards acquiring wisdom [5].
Sources
- Proverbs “Proverbs 30:1 (NASB) — The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, the oracle. The man declares to Ithiel, to Ithiel and Ucal:”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Agur — Gatherer; the collector, mentioned as author of the sayings in Prov. 30. Nothing is known of him beyond what is there recorded.”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Agur — (a gatherer, i.e. together of wise men), The son of Jakeh, an unknown Hebrew sage who uttered or collected the sayings of wisdom recorded in Prov 30.”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Ucal — (I am strong). According to the received text of (Proverbs 30:1) Ithiel and Ucal must be regarded as proper names; and if so, they must be the names of disciples or sons of Agur the son of Jakeh, an unknown sage among the Hebrews. But there is great obscurity about the passage. Ewald considers both Ithiel and Ucal as symbolical names, employed by the poet to designate two classes of thinkers to whom he addresses himself.”
- Proverbs (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Proverbs 30:1: 30:1a This superscription probably refers to the whole of ch 30. • Agur son of Jakeh: Apart from this reference, Agur and Jakeh are unknown. If “from Massa” is the correct reading, then Agur was a non-Israelite (the tribe of Massa is known from Assyrian texts). 30:1b-3 Agur expresses his ignorance (cp. Ps 73:22, where the psalmist calls himself a senseless animal). The first step toward wisdom is acknowledging what we do not know.”
- Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 30 (introduction): The words of Agur the son of Jakeh,.... Here begins, according to Aben Ezra, the fourth part of this book; though, according to others, it is the fifth; See Gill on Pro 22:17; Who this Agur was is a matter of doubt; some of the Jewish writers, as Jarchi and Gersom, and likewise some Christian writers (f), take him to be Solomon himself, who calls himself Agur, which is said to signify "a gatherer"; and so the Vulgate Latin version renders it, "the words of the gatherer, the son of the vomiter"; just as he calls himself Koheleth, or "the caller", or "pre”
- Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 30:1: Some make Agur to be not the name of this author, but his character; he was a collector (so it signifies), a gatherer, one that did not compose things himself, but collected the wise sayings and observations of others, made abstracts of the writings of others, which some think is the reason why he says (Pro 30:3), "I have not learned wisdom myself, but have been a scribe, or amanuensis, to other wise and learned men." Note, We must not bury our talent, though it be but one, but, as we have received the gift, so minister the same, if it be but to collect what oth”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Proverbs 30:1: the man — ( ha-gever ), that is, Agur, since his wisdom was great ( gavra ).”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Proverbs 30:1: The words of Agur — he was in the days of Solomon, walking in righteousness, knowing knowledge, and honored in his generation, so the king Solomon gathered the words of his wisdom into his book.”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Proverbs 30:1: Another interpretation: son of Yaqeh — a son of peoples' obedience ( yiqhat 'amim ). For regarding David it was said of his son, Shlomo, son of Yaqeh, and Qohelet, and Agur — that is, the saying of the man to Itiel — about the matter of women and horses (Deuteronomy 17:16-17), as he said: "I will increase, but my heart will not stray, and I am capable," 1 Punning on the names Itiel = God is with me, and Ukhal = I am capable which was foolish. Itiel repented after that and said, "I acted as one who had not learned wisdom nor known heavenly knowledge." And Qohe”