Proverbs 30:19 kjv

The 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 maid.

Proverbs 30:19 nkjv

The way of an eagle in the air, The way of a serpent on a rock, The way of a ship in the midst of the sea, And the way of a man with a virgin.

Proverbs 30:19 niv

the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a snake on a rock, the way of a ship on the high seas, and the way of a man with a young woman.

Proverbs 30:19 esv

the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a serpent on a rock, the way of a ship on the high seas, and the way of a man with a virgin.

Proverbs 30:19 nlt

how an eagle glides through the sky,
how a snake slithers on a rock,
how a ship navigates the ocean,
how a man loves a woman.

Proverbs 30 verses

Proverbs 30 19 Meaning

Proverbs 30:19 is one of four mysterious phenomena that Agur declares are "too wonderful" for him to understand. The verse highlights various untraceable and profound paths: the invisible course of an eagle through the sky, the silent, ephemeral trail of a serpent over a hard rock, the transient wake of a ship cutting through the vast ocean, and culminating in the deeply private and enigmatic way of a man with a young woman. The overarching theme is the profound incomprehensibility of certain phenomena, often relating to the movement, origin, or hidden nature of things, culminating in the mysterious depth of human intimacy and procreation, which is ultimately God's design.

Proverbs 30 19 Context

Proverbs chapter 30 opens with "The words of Agur son of Jakeh, the oracle." Agur identifies himself as one who struggles to comprehend divine matters, even calling himself "more stupid than any man" (Prov 30:2), yet paradoxically he speaks profound wisdom. This sets the stage for a humble yet insightful exploration of God's ways. Verses 18-19 form a numerical proverb, a common literary device in wisdom literature (often "X, Y, Z, and W," where W is often the most profound or surprising element). Here, the pattern is four "ways" that Agur finds utterly mysterious and wonderful. The commonality among the first three is their transience and lack of a lasting trace or perceptible path, leading the reader to understand the final item in this light—the way of a man with a maid also presents an unobservable, mysterious dynamic.

Proverbs 30 19 Word analysis

• The way of (דֶּרֶךְ - derekh): This Hebrew word consistently means "path," "road," or "manner of journey/life." In this context, it signifies a course of movement that is profound because it leaves no discernible, lasting track. The emphasis is on the invisible, the untraceable, or the deeply personal nature of these "ways."

• an eagle (נֶשֶׁר - nesher) in the air: The eagle symbolizes majesty, swiftness, and freedom. Its flight high above leaves no trace in the vastness of the sky. This symbolizes powerful movement that is beyond human observation or full understanding.

• a serpent (נָחָשׁ - nachash) upon a rock: A serpent’s slithering movement is often silent and swift. On a hard, unyielding surface like a rock, it leaves no visible impression or lasting path, adding to its mysterious, elusive quality. This contrasts with a snake moving in sand, which would leave a trail.

• a ship (אֳנִיָּה - oniyyah) in the midst of the sea: A ship's journey creates a wake, but it is fleeting and quickly disappears in the immense expanse of the ocean. This symbolizes passage through a vast, powerful domain, leaving no lasting evidence of its specific path.

• and the way of a man (גֶּבֶר - gever) with a maid (בְּעַלְמָה - be’almah):

  • man (גֶּבֶר - gever): This term often denotes a strong, able-bodied male, highlighting the mature masculine aspect in the relationship.
  • maid (בְּעַלְמָה - be’almah): This Hebrew word refers to a young woman, often of marriageable age. While it can imply virginity in certain contexts (like Isa 7:14), its primary meaning is simply "young woman." Unlike ishah (a wife/woman) or betulah (a technical virgin), 'almah focuses on the age or stage of life. The mystery here is multifaceted:
    • Procreation: The miraculous and hidden process of conception within a woman's body, where life begins mysteriously (cf. Ecc 11:5, Psa 139:13-16).
    • Intimacy: The profound, inexplicable attraction and unique private bond that forms between a man and a young woman, leading to their unique "becoming one flesh" (Gen 2:24). This sacred union's depth is often hidden from external eyes.
    • Covert Illicit Activity: While less aligned with the "wonderful" aspect, some interpret this as illicit sexual relations, which are typically hidden from public view, leaving no immediate, apparent trace of the transgression. However, the tone of wonder in the proverb typically suggests something deeper and more awe-inspiring than merely hidden sin.
  • This phrase captures the most profound of the "untraceable" paths. It is not just physical action but the mysterious origin of life and the unique, hidden dynamics of human love and intimacy.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "The 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": These three "ways" serve to establish the central theme: actions or movements that leave no trace, are difficult to discern, or whose paths are beyond complete human comprehension. They build anticipation for the final, most complex, and uniquely human mystery.
  • "and the way of a man with a maid": This climax, following the patterns of flight, slither, and sailing, presents the ultimate human mystery. It encompasses the private, deep, often hidden journey of intimacy and life's origin, which, like the other paths, is ineffable and ultimately awe-inspiring because it is divinely ordained.

Proverbs 30 19 Bonus section

The number "four" (arba) is significant in this numerical proverb, as in many others in Proverbs (e.g., Prov 30:15, 30:21-23, 30:24-28, 30:29-31). This literary structure is a common rhetorical device in ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature, drawing the reader's attention to a culminating point, which in this case is the mystery of human relationships and life itself. The first three examples ground the concept in observable nature, preparing the listener for the fourth, which speaks to a mystery that, though equally observable, is deeply private and ineffable. This literary pattern helps underscore that the profound mysteries of God's creation are not confined to the grand elements of nature but extend into the most intimate aspects of human existence, inviting humility and awe.

Proverbs 30 19 Commentary

Proverbs 30:19 offers a glimpse into Agur's profound wonder at the mysteries of existence. It is a contemplative statement about phenomena that transcend ordinary human understanding. The three natural examples—the eagle, serpent, and ship—illustrate movement that leaves no discernible, lasting mark, or whose full course cannot be grasped by an observer. These are not merely observations of physical untraceability but reflections on processes that hold a degree of awe-inspiring wonder.

The climax of the verse, "the way of a man with a maid," is the most deeply significant. This is not necessarily an endorsement of sin or a veiled reference to it, but rather an acknowledgment of a profound, hidden mystery that captivates and bewilders. It primarily points to the deep, intimate bond and connection that forms between a man and a woman. Within the biblical framework, this union is uniquely powerful, leading to the procreation of life—a process divinely orchestrated and fundamentally beyond full human comprehension (Psa 139:13-16; Ecc 11:5). The wonder lies in how love and intimacy spontaneously emerge and how life is created and unfolds within this sacred union. It's a path charted not by human will alone, but by a divine design for creation and connection. This echoes the broader biblical truth that many of God's ways, His creative acts, and His wisdom are "too wonderful" for human minds to fully grasp, revealing His boundless majesty and our limited perception.