The three appendices to the Hezekian collection (xxx., xxxi. 1-9, xxxi. 10-31) are, to take the most conservative position possible, obviously not earlier than the closing century of the Jewish state. The art of proverb-writing has declined ever since the compilation of the previous anthology. The marks of simplicity and naturalness are wanting; the enigmatical and artificial seem to be sought for. Each part of these two chapters has moreover something of its own pointing in the direction of a late origin. The two first appendices are very possibly even later than the return of the Jews from Babylon.
The first appendix begins—'The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, the prophecy' (or, divine utterance)[1] (comp. xxxi, 1). The heading is enigmatical; in what sense are the 'words' 'a prophecy,' and who are the persons spoken of? The latter question we have no means of answering. The names are not found elsewhere, and have been thought to be pseudonyms (Agur might mean 'collector' and Jakeh 'obedient,' i.e. 'religious').[2] As to the title 'the prophecy,' it must be admitted that it is not by any means an appropriate one. It is too bold to accuse the proverb-writer of claiming prophetic inspiration. (And why should the article be prefixed?) The only alternative to this is to read, with Prof. Grätz, (for hammassā 'the prophecy') hammōshēl 'the proverb-writer.' After the heading comes a group of four verses complete in itself.
The oracle of the man 'I have wearied[3] myself about God' (?),
I have wearied myself about God and have not prevailed.[4]
For I am too stupid for a man,
and am without human reason;
I have not learned wisdom,
nor have I knowledge of the All-holy.[5]
Who has gone up to heaven and come down?
- ↑ On the conjectural reading, 'the man of Massa' ('Massa,' instead of 'the prophecy'), see Chap. VI.
- ↑ This was the view of St. Jerome, derived of course from his Jewish teacher.
- ↑ Pointing lāīthī.
- ↑ Reading with Bickell v'lō ūkāl. Another correction of the text is, v'ēkel 'and
have pined away. - ↑ Q'dōshīm, a word formed on the analogy of elōhīm; comp. ix. 10, Hos.
xii. 1.
