Proverbs 30:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: There are those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers.

NIV: "There are those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers;

NASB: There is a kind of person who curses his father And does not bless his mother.

CSB: There is a generation that curses its father and does not bless its mother.

NLT: Some people curse their father and do not thank their mother.

KJV: There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother.

NKJV: There is a generation that curses its father, And does not bless its mother.

Prior lessons in the book of Proverbs mentioned the danger of "cursing" one's parents, rather than honoring them (Proverbs 20:20). This reflects a general disrespect for authority, which can lead to dire consequences (Proverbs 30:17). The Hebrew phrasing used here is broad, using on the word dor' which is translated as "there are those," or "there is a kind who." This might refer to specific persons from Agur's experience (Proverbs 30:1). Or this might be a general reference to the world at large.

Thankless, unruly people exist in every generation; a great many developed that attitude as children. Paul notified Timothy that a generation in the last days would be "lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power" (2 Timothy 3:2–5). Such disrespect of parents reveals an evil disposition and total disregard for the commandment: "Honor your father and your mother" (Exodus 20:12). Ephesians 6:1–2 gives the same command: "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 'Honor your father and mother' (this is the first commandment with a promise)."

Proverbs 30:5–14 continues the "oracle" attributed to Agur. He begins by praising God's Word as true. He warns against adding to what God says. Agur then prays asking for God's protection from certain spiritual errors. He then begins making wise observations about life and certain kinds of bad behavior. Several comments in this passage include the phrase "there are those," commenting on various common sins. Agur's humility and desire for honesty shine through in this passage of Scripture.

This chapter contains the teachings of Agur, who is only known through this passage. Humility and a sense of one's own limitations are key themes in this section. Agur prays for God's providence and warns about the sins of arrogance, greed, and rebelliousness. He marvels at how the ungodly can sin without care, not realizing their fate. He then notes the way some insignificant animals accomplish great things and comments on the effects of confidence. The chapter ends with a reminder that stirring up anger leads to trouble.

This chapter falls between a collection of Solomon's wise sayings (Proverbs 25—29) and King Lemuel's proverbs (Proverbs 31). Chapter 30 contains the wise sayings of Agur, who is otherwise unknown. He may have been the son of Jakeh. His teachings are called an oracle: a weighty message from God. Humility and warnings about arrogance are recurring themes in this chapter.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.