Agur אָגוּר

Male H0094 1 book

Author of Proverbs 30, son of Jakeh

Who is Agur in the Bible?

Agur, son of Jakeh, is the author of Proverbs 30 and is identified as one who "spoke to Ithiel and Ucal" (Proverbs 30:1). Little is known about Agur beyond his authorship of this biblical collection of wise sayings, which addresses topics ranging from the nature of God to the dangers of pride and foolishness. His most notable contribution is the Prayer of Agur (Proverbs 30:7-9), a humble petition for neither poverty nor riches that expresses a practical ideal of contentment and trust in God. Though his theological perspective reflects some agnosticism about transcendent matters, his sayings reveal a tender reverence for God and offer practical wisdom for daily living.

Biography

Agur is identified as the son of Jakeh and the author of the sayings recorded in Proverbs 30. He is described as the one "who spoke to Ithiel and Ucal." The text presents a collection of Agur's wise sayings and observations, which cover various topics such as the nature of God, the value of wisdom, and the dangers of foolishness and pride.

Family

In Scripture

1 biblical book ; 1 with study content
Proverbs 1 verse
  • Proverbs 30:1

    "These are the words of Agur son of Jakeh—the burden that this man declared to Ithiel: “I am weary, O God, and worn out."

    Study Proverbs →

Names & Aliases

Form Language Script Meaning
Named Hebrew אָגוּר Agur , a fanciful name for Solomon
Encyclopedia Article

Agur

ISBE 1915 (Public Domain)

3">Pr 30. He takes an agnostic attitude toward God and transcendent things, and in general the range of his thought, as compared with that of other authors, is pedestrian. He shows, however, a tender reverence and awe. His most notable utterance, perhaps, is the celebrated Prayer of Agur (Pr 30:7-9), which gives expression to a charming golden mean of practical ideal. His sayings are constructed on a rather artificial plan; having the form of the so-called numerical proverb. See under PROVERBS, THE BOOK OF, II, 6.

John Franklin Genung

In proper names. See AHI.

a, a-ha': Interjections of frequent occurrence in the Old Testament, representing different Hebrew words and different stat