Proverbs 30:7

KJV

¶ Two [things] have I required of thee; deny me [them] not before I die:

KJV (with Strong's)

Two {H8147} things have I required {H7592} of thee; deny {H4513} me them not before I die {H4191}:

Complete Jewish Bible

[God,] I have asked two things of you; don't deny them to me as long as I live -

Berean Standard Bible

Two things I ask of You— do not refuse me before I die:

American Standard Version

Two things have I asked of thee; Deny methemnot before I die:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Proverbs 30:7 presents a profound and urgent personal prayer from Agur, the son of Jakeh, directly addressed to God. This verse serves as a solemn and deeply earnest preamble to two specific and vital requests he is about to articulate, underscoring their critical importance and the temporal urgency of their fulfillment before the culmination of his earthly life. It reveals a heart profoundly aware of human mortality and earnestly seeking divine provision for a life characterized by integrity, spiritual balance, and contentment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse initiates a distinct and highly personal section within the book of Proverbs, attributed to "Agur son of Jakeh, an oracle" [Proverbs 30:1](/proverbs/30-1 "Proverbs 30:1 - The Words of Agur"). Unlike the preceding chapters, which are largely Solomon's proverbs, Proverbs 30 and 31 introduce other inspired contributors to Israel's rich wisdom tradition, highlighting the diverse channels through which divine counsel was conveyed. Proverbs 30:7 functions as a deeply intimate and urgent prayer, setting a tone of profound earnestness that distinguishes it from the more general, didactic proverbs found elsewhere. It immediately precedes Agur's two specific requests concerning wealth and truthfulness in [Proverbs 30:8-9](/proverbs/30-8-9 "Proverbs 30:8-9 - Agur's Two Specific Requests"), thereby establishing the critical framework and motivation for his subsequent wisdom. The poignant phrase "before I die" imbues this entire section with a sense of ultimate priority and finality, emphasizing the timeless relevance of these spiritual desires.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, wisdom literature, exemplified by Proverbs, served as a foundational guide for righteous living and understanding God's ordered world. Sages like Agur were esteemed figures who meticulously observed life, meditated on divine principles, and articulated profound truths. The act of making a solemn and specific request or vow to God was a significant spiritual practice, reflecting a deep-seated dependence on the Almighty for all aspects of existence, from daily sustenance to moral integrity. The pervasive awareness of mortality, vividly expressed in "before I die," was a common theme in ancient Near Eastern thought, often prompting individuals to contemplate their legacy, their relationship with the divine, and the ultimate meaning of their finite lives. Unlike many modern societies that often distance themselves from the reality of death, ancient cultures lived with a more acute consciousness of life's brevity, making such a heartfelt plea profoundly meaningful and universally relatable.
* **Key Themes:** Proverbs 30:7 introduces several pivotal themes that resonate throughout Agur's oracle and the broader wisdom tradition. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **humility and absolute dependence on God**, as Agur, despite his wisdom, openly acknowledges his profound need for divine intervention and provision, particularly in matters of character and spiritual well-being. Secondly, it underscores the **earnestness and specificity of prayer**, demonstrating that approaching God with clearly articulated, deeply felt desires is not only appropriate but commendable. Thirdly, the phrase "before I die" highlights the profound **awareness of mortality** and the **urgency of living righteously** within the finite span of one's life. This motif encourages a life lived with an eternal perspective, prioritizing spiritual and moral virtues over transient earthly gains, a sentiment echoed powerfully in [Psalm 90:12](/psalm/90-12 "Psalm 90:12 - Teach Us to Number Our Days"), which implores God to teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Finally, this verse sets the crucial stage for Agur's subsequent specific requests for **truthfulness and moderation** [Proverbs 30:8](/proverbs/30-8 "Proverbs 30:8 - Agur's First Request"), which are central to biblical wisdom, integrity, and a life of contentment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **required (Hebrew, _shâʼal'_):** Derived from a primitive root meaning "to inquire" or "to request," this term denotes a humble yet earnest petition. It is not a demanding assertion of rights, but rather a seeking from God, implying a posture of dependence, respect, and trust in divine sovereignty. The nuance here is a sincere, heartfelt plea, born of a recognition of God's authority and capacity to grant.
* **deny (Hebrew, _mânaʻ'_):** This root means "to debar," "to keep back," or "to withhold." Agur's use of the negative imperative ("deny me not") expresses a strong, almost desperate plea for God *not* to withhold these essential things from him. It conveys the profound depth of his desire and the perceived necessity of these provisions for his spiritual and moral well-being.
* **die (Hebrew, _mûwth'_):** A primitive root meaning "to die" (literally or figuratively). In this specific context, it refers to physical death, emphasizing the finite nature of Agur's life and the temporal urgency of his requests. It underscores that these are not casual desires but vital necessities for a life lived well, righteously, and in integrity until its very culmination.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Two [things] have I required of thee;":** This opening clause establishes the deeply personal and direct nature of Agur's address: a specific petition directed to God. The phrase "required of thee" signifies a humble yet earnest seeking, acknowledging God as the ultimate and sole source capable of granting these profound desires. The explicit mention of "two things" immediately creates a sense of anticipation and curiosity for the reader, highlighting the distinct and paramount importance of these subsequent requests to the speaker.
* **"deny me [them] not":** This is a fervent and impassioned plea, expressed as a negative imperative. Agur is not merely asking; he is imploring God not to withhold these specific and crucial provisions. This intensifies the urgency and sincerity of his prayer, revealing a deep spiritual longing and a recognition that his well-being, his integrity, and his ability to live righteously are profoundly dependent on God's affirmative response. It is a cry for divine grace and enablement.
* **"before I die:":** This concluding phrase introduces a profound sense of mortality and temporal urgency. Agur's acute awareness of his finite life imbues his requests with ultimate significance and gravity. These are not trivial matters but essential graces that he desires to experience and embody throughout his remaining days, shaping his character and conduct until the very end. It speaks to a desire for a life lived fully, righteously, and in God's sight, culminating in a peaceful and honorable death.

#### Literary Devices
Proverbs 30:7 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound message and emotional weight. The most prominent is **Apostrophe**, as Agur directly addresses God ("of thee"), creating an intimate, personal, and reverent tone for his earnest prayer. The verse also skillfully utilizes **Anticipation**, as the precise mention of "Two [things]" immediately piques the reader's curiosity and sets the stage, building suspense for the specific requests detailed in the subsequent verses. The phrase "deny me [them] not" functions as a powerful **Earnest Plea** or **Supplication**, emphasizing the depth of Agur's desire and the perceived absolute necessity of God's positive response. Finally, the concluding "before I die" serves as a poignant **Temporal Marker** and a profound **Motif of Mortality**, imbuing the requests with a sense of urgency, finality, and ultimate spiritual consequence for the culmination of his life.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Proverbs 30:7 stands as a powerful theological statement on the nature of prayer, the profound depth of human dependence on God, and the wisdom inherent in living with an acute awareness of mortality. Agur's earnest and specific plea models a form of prayer that is humble, deeply personal, and rooted in a recognition of God as the ultimate provider and sustainer of all things, both material and spiritual. It challenges believers to genuinely consider what truly matters in life—not merely transient wealth or fleeting power, but rather enduring virtues such as integrity, truthfulness, and contentment. The verse encourages us to prioritize these spiritual virtues above all else, seeking them directly from God as indispensable provisions for a life well-lived. It underscores the pervasive biblical theme that true wisdom involves acknowledging one's inherent limitations and relying completely on divine grace for both material sustenance and spiritual fortitude, especially as one approaches the culmination of life.

* [Matthew 7:7](/matthew/7-7 "Matthew 7:7 - Ask, Seek, Knock")
* [Philippians 4:6](/philippians/4-6 "Philippians 4:6 - Do Not Be Anxious About Anything")
* [1 John 5:14](/1_john/5-14 "1 John 5:14 - Confidence in Prayer")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Agur's heartfelt prayer in Proverbs 30:7 invites us to pause deeply and critically examine the depth, sincerity, and specificity of our own petitions to God. Do we approach Him with such profound earnestness, articulating our deepest needs and desires, particularly those pertaining to the formation of our character and our spiritual well-being, rather than merely our material comforts or fleeting desires? This verse challenges us to genuinely identify what "two things" (or perhaps more, as the Spirit leads) we would most earnestly and urgently ask of God before our lives conclude, compelling us to prioritize what truly matters for a life lived in unwavering integrity and faithfulness. Agur's acute awareness of his own mortality serves as a potent and sobering reminder that our time on earth is finite, prompting us to live each day intentionally, with purpose, and to diligently seek God's wisdom and provision for a life that genuinely honors Him until our very final breath. This profound reflection encourages a radical re-evaluation of our daily pursuits, our long-term aspirations, and our ultimate priorities, aligning them firmly with eternal values and God's divine will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "two things" would you most earnestly ask of God before you die, and what is the profound spiritual significance of these requests for your life?**
* **How does Agur's awareness of mortality influence the urgency and specificity of his prayer? In what ways does your own awareness of mortality shape your prayers, priorities, and daily decisions?**
* **Considering Agur's plea for divine provision, in what specific areas of your life do you need to cultivate a deeper, more humble sense of dependence on God's grace and guidance?**

### FAQ
**Who is Agur, and why are his words included in Proverbs?**

Answer: Agur, the son of Jakeh, is an enigmatic and somewhat mysterious figure mentioned only in [Proverbs 30:1](/proverbs/30-1 "Proverbs 30:1 - The Words of Agur"). Unlike Solomon, he is not extensively detailed elsewhere in the biblical narrative. His words are uniquely introduced as an "oracle" (Hebrew: *massa*), suggesting a divinely inspired utterance or prophetic burden, setting his contribution apart. The inclusion of his sayings, alongside those of King Lemuel in [Proverbs 31](/proverbs/31 "Proverbs 31 - The Sayings of King Lemuel and the Virtuous Woman"), demonstrates that God's profound wisdom was not exclusively confined to a single individual or royal lineage but was graciously revealed through various sages, inspired teachers, and prophetic voices within Israel. Agur's section is particularly distinct for its deeply personal prayer, its profound philosophical musings, and its specific numerical sayings, all of which significantly enrich the diverse and multifaceted tapestry of wisdom found within the book of Proverbs.

**Why does Agur emphasize "before I die" in his request?**

Answer: The poignant phrase "before I die" is far more than a mere temporal marker; it underscores the profound urgency, ultimate significance, and existential gravity of Agur's requests. It reflects a deep spiritual awareness of his own mortality and an earnest desire to live out his remaining days in a manner that is truly pleasing to God and aligned with divine wisdom. In ancient thought, the culmination of one's life was a critical and often solemn period, frequently associated with one's legacy, one's final moral standing, and one's ultimate relationship with God. By making these requests "before I die," Agur is expressing a fervent desire for a life characterized by unwavering integrity, absolute truthfulness, and profound contentment that culminates in a righteous and peaceful end. It signifies that these are not casual or fleeting wishes but vital, indispensable necessities for his spiritual well-being and his ultimate peace with God, shaping his character, conduct, and eternal destiny until his very last breath.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Agur's earnest and deeply personal plea in [Proverbs 30:7](/proverbs/30-7 "Proverbs 30:7 - Agur's Earnest Plea") finds its ultimate fulfillment and perfect answer in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Agur's humble dependence on God and his specific requests for truth and moderation powerfully foreshadow the perfectly lived life of Christ, who flawlessly embodied both. Jesus, as the very **Wisdom of God incarnate** [1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ the Power and Wisdom of God"), lived a life of absolute and unwavering truthfulness, never uttering deceit or falsehood [1 Peter 2:22](/1_peter/2-22 "1 Peter 2:22 - Christ's Sinless Example"). He also lived a life of perfect moderation and divine balance, completely free from the excesses of worldly wealth or the destitution that might lead to temptation and sin, thereby embodying the very contentment and equilibrium Agur sought [Matthew 8:20](/matthew/8-20 "Matthew 8:20 - The Son of Man Has Nowhere to Lay His Head"). Furthermore, Agur's poignant "before I die" resonates profoundly with Christ's own purposeful journey to the cross. Jesus' entire earthly life was a continuous act of humble and perfect dependence on the Father, culminating in His ultimate, self-sacrificial death, where He perfectly fulfilled God's redemptive will "before He died" for the sins of the entire world [John 19:30](/john/19-30 "John 19:30 - It Is Finished"). Through faith in Christ, believers are granted not only the profound wisdom Agur sought but also the glorious promise of eternal life, transcending the finality of "before I die" with the assurance of resurrection and everlasting communion with God [John 11:25-26](/john/11-25-26 "John 11:25-26 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life"). He is the true answer to all our deepest spiritual needs and the perfect fulfillment of every righteous desire.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Kings 2:9

¶ And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.

Psalms 27:4

One [thing] have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.

Luke 10:42

But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Psalms 21:2

Thou hast given him his heart's desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips. Selah.

1 Kings 3:5

¶ In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.

1 Kings 3:9

Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?