Proverbs 30:29-31 “There are three things which are majestic in pace, yes, four which are stately in walk: a lion, which is mighty among beasts and does not turn away from any; a greyhound, a male goat also, and a king whose troops are with him.” In contrast to the four lowly creatures in verses 25-28, here are four who have a majestic walk. They have “graceful movement” (MacDonald). The lion is “majestic and unruffled as it walks” (BBC). “Nothing can be more majestic than the walk of the lion. It is deliberate, equal, firm, and in every respect becoming the king of the forest” (Clarke). People and animals retreat from the lion because of its strength (Buzzell). The Hebrew word translated “greyhound” does not appear anywhere else in the Old Testament. It means “one with loins girded.” Various explanations have been given such as, the stripes of the zebra, the war-horse, (see Bridges), the strutting rooster (NASV; NIV), and the greyhound (NKJV). “All these fit the description of lofty dignity, but perhaps the graceful greyhound is the best choice” (MacDonald). In the East, “scarcely anything can be conceived to go with greater fleetness, in full chase, than a greyhound with its prey in view: it seems to swim over the earth” Clarke). The male goat has an “arrogant appearance” (Buzzell). It “is a picture of noble bearing as it strides at the head of a flock” (MacDonald). The king who has the support of his troops “marches with regal dignity” (MacDonald). He “may strut with pride as he is seemingly invincible with his army in his presence” (Buzzell). His “troops are so firmly united to him as to render all hopes of successful conspiracy against him utterly vain. He walks boldly and majestically about, being safe in the affections of his people” (Clarke). Like a mighty lion who does not retreat from anyone, the graceful greyhound, and the male goat majestically at the head of the flock, so a king who has the support of his troops and people walks majestically. This proverb, like many of the others, leaves application to the reader (see JFB). “There is no moralizing or philosophizing. The theological implications (the Creator’s power and wisdom—cf. verses 1–5; Job 38–42:6) are left implicit, enriching the observer’s delight, if he has eyes to see, but not intruding upon it” (Kidner). Here is the way Wardlaw applies it: “We are not for a moment to suppose that the intention of Agur is merely to invite us to admire the gait of the ‘lion,’ the king of beasts, who marches on in the nobility of his might, in courageous consciousness of his power, altering not his pace, and fearless of whatever comes in his way: — or the grace and elegance of the ‘greyhound,’ and the nimble fleetness of his course, — or the portly dignity of the leader of the flock, that walks at their head, conducting and caring for them: — or the majesty of royal authority and honor, of a king maintaining his dignity, bearing his crowned head with the stateliness of office. In the peculiarities of the three animals, the characteristics of the king’s character are figured: — his courage and undaunted intrepidity by the lion; — his readiness for activity and speed in the pursuit of every legitimate object, — as well as fit elegance and gracefulness, by the grey-hound; — and his becoming example set before his people, leading them in right ways, and caring for their safety, by the he-goat.”
Posted on: Thu, 06 Jun 2013 13:04:02 +0000
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