Proverbs 30

Agur's words open in exhaustion and humility: "I am weary, O God, and worn out... I have not learned wisdom." After 29 chapters of confident sayings, that's a striking, honest pause. Then he asks, "What is His name, and what is the name of His Son?" Christians have long heard a hint of the Son in that question. His prayer is wise and modest: neither poverty nor riches, just my daily portion (compare "give us this day our daily bread"). Then he lists things he finds wonderful: an eagle in the sky, small creatures that are wise, and the ant, badger, locust, and lizard. Curiosity and wonder are part of wisdom.

"Keep falsehood and deceitful words far from me. Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the bread that is my portion." (Proverbs 30:8)

"Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in His hands? Who has bound up the waters in His cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is the name of His Son—surely you know!" (Proverbs 30:4)

Versions/Hebrew: 30:1 is genuinely obscure. The consonants l'itiel l'itiel v'ukal [384, 401] can be read as names ("to Ithiel and Ucal," KJV, WEB) or re-divided as words: "I am weary, O God, I am weary, O God, and worn out" (BSB, YLT "I have wearied myself [for] God... and am consumed"). The OSHB tags them as names.