words of Agur

biblical literature

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June 18, 2026

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The "words of Agur" are a distinct section within the biblical book of Proverbs. Unlike the rest of Proverbs, which often focuses on practical wisdom and the attainability of success through diligence, Agur's words express a more speculative and even pessimistic view, emphasizing the inaccessibility of true wisdom. This section shares affinities with the Book of Job, highlighting the profound and often unanswerable questions about life and divine knowledge. The "words of Agur" are found in chapter 30 of Proverbs and differ in spirit and substance from the surrounding wisdom sayings.1

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biblical literature
Proverbs
The “words of Agur” (30:1–14) differs sharply in spirit and substance from the rest of Proverbs; it has much closer affinities with the Book of Job, stressing the inaccessibility of wisdom. There is no internal evidence, such as a continuous theme, to show that these 14 verses are…
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The “words of Agur” (30:1–14) differs sharply in spirit and substance from the rest of Proverbs; it has much closer affinities with the Book of Job, stressing the inaccessibility of wisdom. There is no internal evidence, such as a continuous theme, to show that these 14 verses are…
Read More