Proverbs 30:29–31

Footnotes

1. 69 The form מֵיטִיבֵי (metibe) is the Hiphil participle, plural construct. It has the idea of “doing good [in] their step.” They move about well, i.e., magnificently. The genitive would be a genitive of specification.
2. 70 The construction uses the Hiphil participle again (as in the previous line) followed by the infinitive construct of הָלַךְ (halakh). This forms a verbal hendiadys, the infinitive becoming the main verb and the participle before it the adverb.
3. 71 Heb “mighty among the beasts,” but referring to a superlative degree (“mightiest”).
4. 72 The Hebrew term זַרְזִיר (zarzir) means “girt”; it occurs only here with “loins” in the BibleNET: “that which is girt in the loins” ( 267 ). Some have interpreted this to be the “greyhound” because it is narrow in the flanks (J. H. Greenstone, Proverbs, 327); so , . Others have suggested the warhorse, zebra, raven, or starling. has it as the large fighting cock that struts around among the hens. There is no clear referent that is convincing, although most modern English versions use “strutting rooster” or something similar (cf. “proud roosters”).
5. 73 This last line has inspired many suggestions. The has “with his army around him” (אַלְקוּם עִמּוֹ, ’alqum ’immo); so . This has been emended to read “against whom there is no rising up” (so , ) or “standing over his people.” The has “a king haranguing his people.” has, “a king who stands up before his people and addresses them.” Some have attempted to identify this with Alcimus, the high priest who aspired to kingship (1 Macc 7:5–22), but such a suggestion is quite remote. Another interpretation sees the word for “God” in the line: “a king with whom God is.” Furthermore, C. H. Toy thinks the text is corrupt and must have at one time referred to some majestic animal (Proverbs [], ). While all these suggestions are fascinating, they have not improved or corrected the Hebrew text. At least one can say the focus is on the stately appearance of the king at some auspicious moment. The word occurs only here; but if it is interpreted with its Arabic cognate in mind, then it refers to a band of soldiers ( 39 אַלְקוּם).