Verse 1. Gatherer, and so forth or, as it is in the Latin, Congregans, the son of Vomens. The Latin interpreter has given us in this place the signification of the Hebrew names, instead of the names themselves, which are in the Hebrew, Agur, the son of Jakeh. But whether this Agur be the same person as Solomon, as many think, or a different person, whose doctrine was adopted by Solomon, and inserted among his parables or proverbs, is uncertain. Challoner.—Vomiter may denote David, who delivered many excellent canticles; Eructavit cor, Psalms 44. De Dieu translates, “The words of him who is recollected the son of obedience.” The author styles himself foolish, and asks for neither beggary nor riches, (verse 2, 8) which seems not to agree with Solomon; though there can be no doubt but this chapter is inspired. Calmet.—In effect, that great king might form this petition, being mindful of the instability of human greatness, and confess that of himself he was foolish.—Vision. Hebrew massa ( Bible.) generally implies something disagreeable, but here it is put for a collection of moral sentences.—With, and so forth Hebrew also, “to Ithiel, even unto Ithiel and Ucal,” (Prot. Bible.) friends of Agur, ( Calmet.) or his children, ( Menochius.) or rather Solomon speaks to all the faithful. We never find Agur mentioned as a canonical writer; and if he were, he would have been placed after Solomon. Worthington.
Proverbs
Verse 2. With me. He speaks of what he could claim of his own, abstracting from the prophetic light. Calmet.—In his humility, he supposeth that others are more perfect. The wisest know best their own defects. Worthington.
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Verse 4. Descended. How then could I acquire such a sublime science? Deuteronomy 30:11. Calmet.—Christ alone could impart it, (John 3:13. Bible.) who is the perfect wisdom. Worthington.—Hands. Septuagint “breast.” Bible.—It is no less difficult to fathom the designs of Providence. Some understand the “spirit” of prophecy to be here meant.—Son. Septuagint “children.” But many Greek copies, and all the interpreters, have Son, which the Fathers explain of the second person of the blessed Trinity, specified Calmet. 8:22. Calmet.
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Verse 5. Is fire-tried; that is, most pure, like gold purified by fire. Challoner. Psalms 17:31. Jeremiah 23:29.—It cannot deceive.
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Verse 6. And not any thing contrary. Deuteronomy 4:2 and 12:32.—Liar. Our Saviour condemned the false explanations of the Pharisees, as his Church does those of all heretics.
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Verse 8. Words, which are so opposite to thine. verse 5.—Riches. The former often prompts men to deceive, the latter to grow proud and forget God.
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Verse 10. Accuse. Septuagint “deliver not” to an idolater. Deuteronomy 23:15. Rabbins—Servant. Add not to his affliction. Worthington.—We must suppose that the accusation is frivolous or false. Lyran.—A servant may do a person much injury: but this ought not to deter the other from performing what justice and charity require.
Proverbs
Verse 15. The horse-leech: concupiscence, which hath two daughters that are never satisfied, that is lust and avarice. Challoner.
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Verse 16. Womb. Septuagint “the love of a woman,” ( Bible.) a harlot, or rather Hebrew “a barren woman.”—Enough. The more fuel, the brighter the flame. These four similitudes may denote cruelty, lust, avarice, and prodigality; ( Calmet.) or the first and last may be understood ( Bible.) of envy and ambition. Worthington.
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Verse 17. Labour. Septuagint and so forth “old age.” Hebrew “the obedience or admonition.” Those who curse their parents, were sentenced to death. Leviticus 20:6.
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Verse 19. Youth. Hebrew “a virgin.” The “conception of a mighty man (the Messias. Bible.) in a virgin,” is fitly compared to the flight of an eagle in the air, which leaves no trace behind, and is the most difficult to comprehend. See Jeremiah 31:22. Univ. Hist. iii. p. 144, note. Isaiah 7:14. Parkhurst in álm. Bible.—Some of the Jews have admitted this explanation. A. Lap.—Others understand that the marks of virginity are equivocal; (Bossuet, and so forth) or, if we stick to the Vulg. and Septuagint the difference betwixt a child and a young man is extremely great, and almost incomprehensible. Calmet.—Young people who follow their carnal appetite, can no more give an account of their actions than of the course of an eagle, and so forth Worthington.—His wanderings are manifold. The Hebrew seems to contain a prophecy of Christ’s conception.
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Verse 23. Mistress, and is married to her master. She will generally prove insolent; like slaves on the throne, Regnabit sanguine multo ad regnum quisquis venit ab exilio. Suet. Tib. 59. Calmet.
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Verse 27. Bands, like an army. When one rises or falls, all do the like. They are so numerous in the East, as to darken the sun and spread destruction. Joel 1 and 2. Calmet.
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Verse 28. The stellio. A kind of house lizard, marked with spots like stars, from whence it has its name. Challoner.—Hebrew semamith. Bible.—It probably provides food against the stormy season, like ants. Bochart. Calmet.—Others understand “the spider,” (Kimchi) or “monkey.” Vat. and so forth
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Verse 30. Meeteth. If he retreat, he looks back with disdain, till the woods conceal the turpitude of his flight. Pliny viii. 16.
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Verse 31. Loins. It rules, and is even terrible to lions. Pliny x. 21.—The terms of the original are found nowhere else, and some understand the horse, the bee, and a soldier in arms. Calmet.—Whom. Hebrew “and Alkum with him.” Mont.—But we know no animal or king of this name;; and it may imply, “in the midst of his court,” or “assembly.” Chal. Some Latin copies read, Et Rex, nec est qui resistat ei, (Sixt. V.) which is more conformable to the Hebrew ( Calmet.) and is here translated, though the Vulg. read, Nec est rex qui, and so forth These four emblems ( Bible.) denote fortitude, chastity, order, and justice.
Proverbs
Verse 32. Mouth. Fools ought not to govern. Worthington.—Many might have been deemed wise, if they had continued in a lower station. Calmet.—Hebrew “If thou hast acted foolishly in raising thyself, and if thou hast entertained evil thoughts, put thy hand to thy mouth.” Bible.—Chal. “put not thy,” and so forth Give not way to pride, or to insolent language. Calmet.
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Verse 33. And. Hebrew “For he who presseth milk.” Calmet.—Prot. “Surely the churning of milk bringeth for butter,” and so forth Bible.—Strife. Moderation is necessary, ( Calmet.) in all actions. Worthington.