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Proverbs 30:18

Old Testament Wisdom/Poetry ASV (1901)

What does Proverbs 30:18 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “There are three things which are too wonderful for me, Yea, four which I know not:” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

There are three things which are too wonderful for me, Yea, four which I know not:
Proverbs 30:18 — American Standard Version

Context — Proverbs 30

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
15The horseleach hath two daughters, [crying], Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, [Yea], four that say not, Enough:
16Sheol; and the barren womb; The earth that is not satisfied with water; And the fire that saith not, Enough.
17The eye that mocketh at his father, And despiseth to obey his mother, The ravens of the valley shall pick it out, And the young eagles shall eat it.
18There are three things which are too wonderful for me, Yea, four which I know not:
19The way of an eagle in the air; The way of a serpent upon a rock; The way of a ship in the midst of the sea; And the way of a man with a maiden.
20So is the way of an adulterous woman; She eateth, and wipeth her mouth, And saith, I have done no wickedness.
21For three things the earth doth tremble, And for four, [which] it cannot bear:
← Proverbs 30:17Proverbs 30:19 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Hypocrisy is illustrated by four examples of the concealment of all methods or traces of action, and a pertinent example of double dealing in actual vice is added, that is, the adulterous woman.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Another enigma. The four things of Proverbs 30:16 agreed in the common point of insatiableness; the four now mentioned agree in this, that they leave no trace behind them. Proverbs 30:19 The way of a man with a maid - The act of sin leaves no outward mark upon the sinners. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Wonderful - The way whereof I cannot trace. Proverbs 30:20”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“30:18-19 The writer stands amazed at how one thing moves on another.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“too: Job 42:3; Psa 139:6 Proverbs 30:19”
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Related study paths

Read Proverbs 30 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification