Surely I [am] more brutish than [any] man, and have not the understanding of a man.
Ver. 2. Surely I am more brutish than any man.] Or, Surely I have been brutish since I was a man. See how this good man vilifies, yea, nullifies himself to the utmost. This was true humility, that like true balm ever sinks to the bottom, when hypocritical, as oil, swims on the top. Humilitas, ab humo, because it lays a man flat on the ground. Agur had seen Ithiel and Ucal; hence he seeth so little by himself: "Now mine eyes have seen thee; wherefore I abhor myself." Job 42:5 "Woe is me! for I am undone," saith Isaiah; "for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts." Pro 6:5 He that looks intently upon the sun hath his eyes dazzled; so he that beholds the infinite excellencies of God, considers the distance, cannot but be sensible of his own naughtiness, nothingness. It is fit the foundation should be laid deep, where the building is so high. Agur's humility was not more low than his aims lofty: "Who hath ascended up into heaven?" It is a high pitch that he flies, for he knew well that godliness, as it begins in the right knowledge of ourselves, so it ends in the right knowledge of God.
And have not the understanding of a man.] Or, Neither is there in me the understanding that was in Adam. Man, when he came first out of God's mint, shone most glorious in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness. Socinians feign him silly, and therein betray their own silliness. a He had a large measure of objective knowledge, both in natural things and supernatural; which we have lost in him. 1Co 2:14 This we should, with Agur here, sit down and bewail, as those in Ezra did the burnt temple. Ezr 3:12
a Tanta fuit Adami recens conditi stupiditas, ut maior in infantes cadere non possit. - Socin.