Proverbs 30 in the early church
107 passages quote, allude to, or echo Proverbs 30, grouped by verse; passages on the same verse are in date order. Verse text from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). References use the Protestant English Bible's numbering, with a writer's own numbering in brackets where it differs.
Verses: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 6 · 8 · 9 · 11 · 12 · 14 · 15 · 16 · 17 · 18 · 19 · 20 · 21 · 22 · 24 · 25 · 26 · 27 · 29 · 30 · 31 · 33
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.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 30:1 | Prophetic Extracts 3.3 · Eusebius of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | before 325 (probably ca. 310–320) |
Proverbs 30:2
Surely I am the most ignorant of men, and I lack the understanding of a man.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 30:2 | Miscellanies 5.11.72 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 198–203 |
| Prov 30:2 | Prophetic Extracts 3.3 · Eusebius of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | before 325 (probably ca. 310–320) |
| Prov 30:2–3 | Against the Manichees, Greek continuation of book 3, Lagarde p. 92 · Titus of Bostra | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 360s |
Proverbs 30:3
I have not learned wisdom, and I have no knowledge of the Holy One.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 30:3 | Miscellanies 2.17.77 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 198–203 |
| Prov 30:3 | Miscellanies 5.11.72 · Clement of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | ca. 198–203 |
| Prov 30:3 | Prophetic Extracts 3.3 · Eusebius of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | before 325 (probably ca. 310–320) |
| Prov 30:3 | Letter 102.29 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386–430 |
Proverbs 30:4
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!
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 30:4 | Prophetic Extracts 3.3 · Eusebius of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | before 325 (probably ca. 310–320) |
| Prov 30:4 | Long recension, Philippians 3 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | later 4th century (probable) |
| Prov 30:4 | Commentary on Ephesians 5.6 · Marius Victorinus | allusion, low confidence | ca. 360–363 |
| Prov 30:4 | Letter 102.29 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386–430 |
Proverbs 30:6
Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you and prove you a liar.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 30:6 | Commentary on John 2.100 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 230–248 |
| Prov 30:6 | On Ecclesiastical Theology 3.10.5 · Eusebius of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 337–339 |
| Prov 30:6 | Apostolic Constitutions 7.14.2 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | ca. 380 |
Proverbs 30:8
Keep falsehood and deceitful words far from me. Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the bread that is my portion.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 30:8 | Homilies on Ezekiel 9.5 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Jerome's translation in the 380s) |
| Prov 30:8 | Preparation for the Gospel 12.35.1 · Eusebius of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 313–324 |
| Prov 30:8 | Defence before Constantius 20 · Athanasius of Alexandria | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 353–357 |
| Prov 30:8 | Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 5:12–13 · Ambrosiaster | allusion, high confidence | ca. 366–384 |
| Prov 30:8 | Exposition of Psalm 118 8.39.1 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386-397 |
| Prov 30:8 | Letter 130.12 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386–430 |
| Prov 30:8 | Letter 130.22 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386–430 |
| Prov 30:8–9 | Hexameron (Exameron) 6.53 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-390 |
Proverbs 30:9
Otherwise, I may have too much and deny You, saying, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or I may become poor and steal, profaning the name of my God.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 30:9 | On Prayer 29.5 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 233–234 |
| Prov 30:9 | Homilies on Ezekiel 9.5 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Jerome's translation in the 380s) |
| Prov 30:9 | Vit. 6 · Methodius of Olympus | allusion, medium confidence | late 3rd cent. (disputed) |
| Prov 30:9 | Exposition of Psalm 118 8.39.1 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386-397 |
| Prov 30:9 | Letter 130.12 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386–430 |
Proverbs 30:11
There is a generation of those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 30:11 | On the Councils of Ariminum and Seleucia 14 · Athanasius of Alexandria | quotation, high confidence | 359 (additions 361) |
Proverbs 30:12
There is a generation of those who are pure in their own eyes and yet unwashed of their filth.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 30:12 | Letter 93.37 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 386–430 |
| Prov 30:12 | Letter 93.41 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 386–430 |
| Prov 30:12 | Letter 93.42 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 386–430 |
| Prov 30:12 | Letter 93.45 · Augustine of Hippo | echo, medium confidence | ca. 386–430 |
| Prov 30:12 | Letter 108.12 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 386–430 |
| Prov 30:12 | Letter 108.20 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 386–430 |
| Prov 30:12 | Sermon 47.17 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 391-430 |
| Prov 30:12 | Sermon 47.18 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 391-430 |
Proverbs 30:14
there is a generation whose teeth are swords and whose jaws are knives, devouring the oppressed from the earth and the needy from among men.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 30:14 | Apology against Rufinus 3.43 · Jerome | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 401–402 |
Proverbs 30:15
The leech has two daughters: Give and Give. There are three things that are never satisfied, four that never say, ‘Enough!’:
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 30:15–16 | On Proverbs, fragment 20 · Hippolytus of Rome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 200–235 |
| Prov 30:15 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 159 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 30:15 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 229 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 30:15 | Sang. 3 · Methodius of Olympus | quotation, high confidence | late 3rd cent. (disputed) |
| Prov 30:15 | Against Marcellus 1.3.15 · Eusebius of Caesarea | quotation, high confidence | ca. 336–337 |
| Prov 30:15 | Defence of His Flight 3 · Athanasius of Alexandria | allusion, high confidence | ca. 357 |
| Prov 30:15 | History of the Arians 65 · Athanasius of Alexandria | allusion, high confidence | ca. 357 |
| Prov 30:15–16 | Oration 16.19 · Gregory of Nazianzus | allusion, high confidence | ca. 362–383 |
| Prov 30:15 | Oration 18.21 · Gregory of Nazianzus | allusion, high confidence | ca. 362–383 |
| Prov 30:15–16 | Against Jovinianus 1.28 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | 393 |
| Prov 30:15 | On the Trinity 15.9 · Augustine of Hippo | quotation, high confidence | ca. 399–419 |
Proverbs 30:16
Sheol, the barren womb, land never satisfied with water, and fire that never says, ‘Enough!’
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 30:16 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 159 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 30:16 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 229 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 30:16 | On the Singleness of Clerics 42 · Anonymous | quotation, high confidence | 3rd cent. (disputed) |
| Prov 30:16 | Sang. 3 · Methodius of Olympus | quotation, high confidence | late 3rd cent. (disputed) |
| Prov 30:16 | Sang. 6 · Methodius of Olympus | quotation, high confidence | late 3rd cent. (disputed) |
| Prov 30:16 | Homilies 7.4 · Basil of Caesarea | allusion, high confidence | ca. 363-378 |
| Prov 30:16 | Sermon 364.4 · Augustine of Hippo | allusion, high confidence | ca. 391-430 |
Proverbs 30:17
As for the eye that mocks a father and scorns obedience to a mother, may the ravens of the valley pluck it out and young vultures devour it.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 30:17 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 229 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 30:17 | Letter 78.26 · Jerome | allusion, high confidence | ca. 370–419 |
| Prov 30:17 | Homily 13 · Gregory of Nyssa | allusion, high confidence | ca. 390–394 |
| Prov 30:17 | Letters 23.29 · Paulinus of Nola | quotation, high confidence | ca. 394–413 |
| Prov 30:17 | Formulae of Spiritual Understanding 4 · Eucherius of Lyon | quotation, high confidence | ca. 420-430 |
Proverbs 30:18
There are three things too wonderful for me, four that I cannot understand:
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 30:18 | On Proverbs, fragment 29 · Hippolytus of Rome | allusion, medium confidence | ca. 200–235 |
| Prov 30:18 | Homilies on Ezekiel 13.4 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Jerome's translation in the 380s) |
| Prov 30:18 | Commentary on the Song of Songs 3.230 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 240–245 (Rufinus's translation ca. 410) |
| Prov 30:18 | On the Christian Faith 5.3 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 378–380 |
| Prov 30:18 | Exposition of Psalm 118 2.16.1 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 386-397 |
| Prov 30:18 | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 38.4.1 · Ambrose | quotation, high confidence | ca. 387-397 |
Proverbs 30:19
the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a snake on a rock, the way of a ship at sea, and the way of a man with a maiden.
Proverbs 30:20
This is the way of an adulteress: She eats and wipes her mouth and says, ‘I have done nothing wrong.’
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 30:20 | Homilies on Jeremiah 20.8 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 240 |
| Prov 30:20 | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 38.4.1 · Ambrose | quotation, low confidence | ca. 387-397 |
| Prov 30:20 | Explanation of Twelve Psalms 38.4.2 · Ambrose | quotation, low confidence | ca. 387-397 |
Proverbs 30:21
Under three things the earth trembles, under four it cannot bear up:
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 30:21–23 | On Proverbs, fragment 24 · Hippolytus of Rome | allusion, high confidence | ca. 200–235 |
| Prov 30:21–23 | On Proverbs, fragment 25 · Hippolytus of Rome | quotation, high confidence | ca. 200–235 |
| Prov 30:21–22 | Catechetical Lecture 6.22 · Cyril of Jerusalem | quotation, high confidence | ca. 350 |
| Prov 30:21–23 | Against Jovinianus 1.28 · Jerome | quotation, high confidence | 393 |
Proverbs 30:22
a servant who becomes king, a fool who is filled with food,
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 30:22–23 | Tractates 15 · Gaudentius of Brescia | quotation, high confidence | ca. 397-410 |
Proverbs 30:24
Four things on earth are small, yet they are exceedingly wise:
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 30:24 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 177 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 30:24–28 | Against Celsus 4.87 · Origen | quotation, high confidence | ca. 248 |
Proverbs 30:25
The ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer;
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 30:25 | Life of Malchus 7 · Jerome | allusion, high confidence | ca. 390–392 |
Proverbs 30:26
the rock badgers are creatures of little power, yet they make their homes in the rocks;
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 30:26 | On Proverbs, fragment 26 · Hippolytus of Rome | allusion, high confidence | ca. 200–235 |
| Prov 30:26 | Formulae of Spiritual Understanding 4 · Eucherius of Lyon | quotation, high confidence | ca. 420-430 |
| Prov 30:26 (24:61 LXX) | The Conferences 10.11 · John Cassian | quotation, high confidence | ca. 426–429 |
Proverbs 30:27
the locusts have no king, yet they all advance in formation;
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 30:27 | Homilies on Exodus 4.7 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410) |
Proverbs 30:29
There are three things that are stately in their stride, and four that are impressive in their walk:
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 30:29 | Theological Oration 5 (Or. 31), On the Holy Spirit 18 · Gregory of Nazianzus | allusion, high confidence | 380 |
| Prov 30:29–31 | Homily 15 · Gregory of Nyssa | allusion, high confidence | ca. 390–394 |
Proverbs 30:30
a lion, mighty among beasts, refusing to retreat before anything;
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 30:30 | Against the Manichees, Greek continuation of book 3, Lagarde p. 89 · Titus of Bostra | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 360s |
Proverbs 30:31
a strutting rooster; a he-goat; and a king with his army around him.
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 30:31 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 229 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 30:31 | Fragments on Proverbs, column 231 · Origen | allusion, high confidence | ca. 220-254 |
| Prov 30:31 | Formulae of Spiritual Understanding 4 · Eucherius of Lyon | quotation, medium confidence | ca. 420-430 |
Proverbs 30:33
For as the churning of milk yields butter, and the twisting of the nose draws blood, so the stirring of anger brings forth strife.”
| Reference | Passage | Kind | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prov 30:33 | Oration 37.8 · Gregory of Nazianzus | quotation, high confidence | ca. 362–383 |