What does Proverbs 30:3 mean?

Scholars typically interpret this verse in one of two ways. The first is hyperbole: an exaggeration for effect. This would be Agur's way of expressing humility. He knows his knowledge is nothing compared to that of God. Whatever he may claim to know can only be a fraction of all there is to know about the Lord. The other possibility is sarcasm, if the introductory verse mentions those who criticized Agur's beliefs (Proverbs 30:1). In that case, Agur is mockingly claiming he knows nothing about God—satirically suggesting his critics know everything. The "surely you know" comment in the next verse (Proverbs 30:4) resembles God's sardonic remark to Job (Job 38:4–5).

True wisdom (Proverbs 1:7) escapes human beings until they repent and trust in Jesus, who said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). Man is capable of great things, and great learning, but understanding spiritual truth is only possible with the aid of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:14).

The men on Mars Hill were highly intelligent, but they did not know the true God. They erected idols throughout their city to honor false gods. They even constructed an altar with the inscription, "To the unknown god" (Acts 17:23). All their human wisdom did not lead them to the knowledge of the true God. Paul told them about the true God and His Son Jesus. He urged them to repent, "because he [God] has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead" (Acts 17:31).