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◄ Proverbs 30:19►

New International Version
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.

New Living Translation
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.

English Standard Version
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.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
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.

New American Standard Bible
The way of the eagle in the sky, The way of a snake on a rock, The way of a ship in the middle of the sea, And the way of a man with a virgin.

NASB 1995
The way of an eagle in the sky, The way of a serpent on a rock, The way of a ship in the middle of the sea, And the way of a man with a maid.

NASB 1977
The way of an eagle in the sky, The way of a serpent on a rock, The way of a ship in the middle of the sea, And the way of a man with a maid.

Legacy Standard Bible
The way of an eagle in the sky, The way of a serpent on a rock, The way of a ship in the heart of the sea, And the way of a man with a virgin.

Amplified Bible
The way of an eagle in the air, The way of a serpent on a rock, The way of a ship in the middle of the sea, And the way of a man with a maid.

Christian Standard Bible
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 young woman.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
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 young woman.

American Standard Version
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 maiden.

Contemporary English Version
How eagles fly so high or snakes crawl on rocks, how ships sail the ocean or people fall in love.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
an eagle making its way through the sky, a snake making its way over a rock, a ship making its way through high seas, a man making his way with a virgin.

Good News Translation
an eagle flying in the sky, a snake moving on a rock, a ship finding its way over the sea, and a man and a woman falling in love.

International Standard Version
The way an eagle flies 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 young woman.

NET Bible
the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a snake on a rock, the way of a ship in the sea, and the way of a man with a woman.

New Heart English Bible
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 maiden.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

Majority Text Translations

Majority Standard Bible
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.

World English Bible
The way of an eagle in the air, the way of a serpent on a rock, the way of a ship in the middle of the sea, and the way of a man with a maiden.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
The way of the eagle in the heavens, "" The way of a serpent on a rock, "" The way of a ship in the heart of the sea, "" And the way of a man in youth.

Young's Literal Translation
The way of the eagle in the heavens, The way of a serpent on a rock, The way of a ship in the heart of the sea, And the way of a man in youth.

Smith's Literal Translation
The way of the eagle in the heavens; the way of the serpent upon the rock; the way of the ship in the heart of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
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 in youth.

Catholic Public Domain Version
the way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a serpent on a rock, the way of a ship in the middle of the sea, and the way of a man in adolescence.

New American Bible
The way of an eagle in the sky, the way of a serpent upon a rock, The way of a ship on the high seas, and the way of a man with a woman.

New Revised Standard Version
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 girl.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
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 in his youth.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The way of an eagle in the sky, the way of the snake upon a rock, the way of the ship in the heart of the sea and the way of a man in his youth.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
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 young woman.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
the track of a flying eagle; and the ways of a serpent on a rock; and the paths of a ship passing through the sea; and the ways of a man in youth.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Words of Agur
…18There are three things too wonderful for me, four that I cannot understand:19the 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.20This is the way of an adulteress: She eats and wipes her mouth and says, ‘I have done nothing wrong.’…

Berean Standard Bible ·Download

Cross References

Job 39:27-30
Does the eagle soar at your command and make his nest on high? / He dwells on a cliff and lodges there; his stronghold is on a rocky crag. / From there he spies out food; his eyes see it from afar. ...

Psalm 139:6
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

Isaiah 40:31
But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.

Jeremiah 8:7
Even the stork in the sky knows her appointed seasons. The turtledove, the swift, and the thrush keep their time of migration, but My people do not know the requirements of the LORD.

Hosea 2:14
“Therefore, behold, I will allure her and lead her to the wilderness, and speak to her tenderly.

Genesis 2:24
For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

Song of Solomon 2:8-9
Listen! My beloved approaches. Look! Here he comes, leaping across the mountains, bounding over the hills. / My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag. Look, he stands behind our wall, gazing through the windows, peering through the lattice.

Ecclesiastes 11:5
As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the bones are formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.

Isaiah 55:9
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.

Job 28:7-8
No bird of prey knows that path; no falcon’s eye has seen it. / Proud beasts have never trodden it; no lion has ever prowled over it.

Matthew 19:5-6
and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? / So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.”

Ephesians 5:31-32
“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” / This mystery is profound, but I am speaking about Christ and the church.

John 3:8
The wind blows where it wishes. You hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

Romans 11:33
O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways!

1 Corinthians 6:16-17
Or don’t you know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.” / But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with Him in spirit.

Treasury of Scripture

The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent on a rock; the way of a ship in the middle of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid.

way of an

Job 39:27
Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, and make her nest on high?

Isaiah 40:31
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renewtheir strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary;and they shall walk, and not faint.

midst

Exodus 22:16
And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife.

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Air Eagle Girl Heart High Maid Maiden Middle Midst Rock Sea Seas Serpent Ship Sky Snake Way Young Youth

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Proverbs 30

1.Agur's confession of his faith
7.The two points of his prayer
10.The meanest are not to be wronged
11.Four wicked generations
15.Four things insatiable
24.four things exceeding wise
29.Four things stately
32.Wrath is to be prevented

Study Bible

Book ◦ Chapter

the way of an eagle in the sky
This phrase highlights the majesty and mystery of an eagle's flight, symbolizing freedom and divine perspective. In biblical times, eagles were seen as powerful and swift creatures (Isaiah 40:31). The eagle's ability to soar high above the earth without leaving a trace reflects God's omniscience and the mystery of His ways (Job 39:27-29). The eagle is often used as a metaphor for God's care and protection, as seen inExodus 19:4, where God describes carrying the Israelites on eagles' wings.

the way of a snake on a rock
The snake's movement on a rock is subtle and leaves no trace, symbolizing cunning and elusiveness. In the Bible, the serpent is often associated with deception and sin, beginning with the serpent in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1-5). The rock may symbolize strength and stability, yet the snake's ability to navigate it without leaving a mark suggests the hidden nature of sin and temptation. This imagery can also reflect the subtlety of wisdom, as seen inMatthew 10:16, where Jesus advises His disciples to be "as shrewd as snakes."

the way of a ship at sea
A ship's journey across the sea represents human endeavor and the unpredictability of life. In ancient times, the sea was often seen as a symbol of chaos and danger (Psalm 107:23-30). The ship's ability to navigate the vast and often tumultuous waters without leaving a permanent path illustrates the transient nature of human life and efforts. This imagery can also be connected to the church, often likened to a ship navigating the world, with Christ as the captain guiding it safely (Mark 4:35-41).

and the way of a man with a maiden
This phrase captures the mystery and complexity of romantic relationships. The interaction between a man and a maiden can be seen as a metaphor for the intimate and often inexplicable nature of love. In biblical culture, courtship and marriage were significant, with love being a central theme in books like Song of Solomon. This relationship can also be seen as a type of Christ's love for the church, His bride, as described inEphesians 5:25-32. The mystery of love reflects the profound and sacrificial love Christ has for His people.

Persons / Places / Events

1.Eagle
A powerful bird known for its strength and keen vision, often symbolizing freedom and divine inspiration.

2.Serpent
A creature often associated with cunning and subtlety, moving in a way that is both mysterious and graceful.

3.Ship
Represents human ingenuity and the ability to navigate through life's challenges, often used as a metaphor for the journey of life.

4.Man with a Maiden
Symbolizes the mysterious and often inexplicable nature of romantic attraction and relationships.

Teaching Points

The Mystery of God's Creation
Each of the four ways described inProverbs 30:19 highlights the complexity and wonder of God's creation. We are reminded to stand in awe of the natural world and the divine wisdom behind it.

The Unseen Paths of Life
Just as the paths of the eagle, serpent, and ship are not easily traced, so too are the paths of our lives. Trust in God's guidance even when the way is not clear.

The Complexity of Human Relationships
The way of a man with a maiden underscores the complexity and beauty of human relationships. Approach relationships with respect, understanding, and a recognition of their divine mystery.

Wisdom in Observation
Observing the natural world and human interactions can lead to greater wisdom. Take time to reflect on the lessons that God’s creation can teach us about life and relationships.

Bible Study Questions and Answers

1.What is the meaning of Proverbs 30:19?

2.How can we discern God's wisdom in Proverbs 30:19's mysterious ways?

3.What do the "ways" in Proverbs 30:19 reveal about God's creation?

4.How does Proverbs 30:19 connect with God's wisdom in Job 38?

5.How can we apply Proverbs 30:19 to trust God's unseen plans?

6.What practical steps help us appreciate God's mysteries in Proverbs 30:19?

7.What is the significance of the "way of an eagle in the sky" in Proverbs 30:19?

8.How does Proverbs 30:19 illustrate the mystery of God's creation?

9.Why does Proverbs 30:19 include "the way of a serpent on a rock"?

10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 30?

11.What were the Children's Crusades about?

12.Is she a virgin or a young woman?

13.Proverbs 19:14 credits God alone for providing a prudent spouse--does this diminish human choice or contradict free will elsewhere in Scripture?

14.Proverbs 30:18-19 highlights four 'mysterious' ways; does understanding them through science undermine their portrayal as unfathomable?

What Does Proverbs 30:19 Mean

the way of an eagle in the sky

• An eagle glides on invisible currents, leaving no trace behind. Its flight is effortless to watch yet impossible for the eye to track in detail.

• Scripture often uses the eagle to picture strength and freedom (Isaiah 40:31;Deuteronomy 32:11). Here, the poet marvels at how something can move with power and precision while remaining practically undetectable.

• The image hints that God’s design includes wonders beyond human calculation. Just as no line marks the eagle’s path, so certain works of God defy our efforts to chart them (Job 38:19-20).

the way of a snake on a rock

• A snake slips across solid stone without feet, claws, or obvious leverage. When it is gone, no footprint or trail remains.

• This evokes the subtle, sometimes hidden movement of life’s events—things happen before we realize it (Genesis 3:1;Matthew 10:16).

• The rock underscores permanence, yet the serpent travels over it without altering its surface. Likewise, God’s wisdom moves within the permanence of His creation in ways we cannot trace (Romans 11:33-34).

the way of a ship at sea

• A vessel plows water, but the wake quickly closes and the ocean looks untouched.

•Psalm 107:23-30 celebrates God’s authority over the deep, where sailors “see the works of the LORD.” Their path is guided by forces—wind and current—they harness but do not control.

• The picture reminds believers that life’s journey depends on God’s unseen hand; we steer, yet He commands the waves (Proverbs 16:9).

the way of a man with a maiden

• The poet turns from nature’s mysteries to the relational mystery of romantic love.

• Just as the first three movements leave no trail, so the bonding of a man and woman unfolds in ways outsiders cannot fully map. Song of Songs 8:6-7 describes love as powerful and unquenchable.

• Marriage is God-ordained (Genesis 2:24;Ephesians 5:31-32). The verse celebrates the purity and wonder of courtship that culminates in covenant, not promiscuity. When pursued in righteousness, its beauty is as awe-inspiring as an eagle’s flight.

summary

Proverbs 30:19 stacks four vivid pictures to showcase works of God that elude human measurement: the effortless flight of an eagle, the silent glide of a snake, the wake-erasing course of a ship, and the mysterious bonding of man and woman. Each scene invites humble admiration, reminding us that the Creator’s wisdom surpasses our tracking and His designs, including romantic love within marriage, are to be received with reverent wonder.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 19. -The way of an eagle in the air. You cannot by any outward sign know that an eagle has passed this or that way. Wisd. 5:11, "As when a bird hath flown through the air, there is no token of her way to be found," etc.The way of a serpent upon a rock. The snake's mode of progression by the lever-like motion of its ribs might well awake surprise, but the point is still the tracklessness of its course. On sand or soft ground its movements might be traced by the impression made. but this could not be done on hard rock; it could push itself along on such a surface without leaving any track.The way of a ship in the midst (heart)of the sea;i.e. in the open sea. You can trace a ship's course while she is near land or within sight, but when she reaches the open sea, you can follow her furrow no longer. Wisd. 5:10, "As a ship that passeth over the waves of the water, which when it is gone by, the trace thereof cannot be found, neither the pathway of the keel in the waves."The way of a man (geber)with a maid (בְּעַלְמָה); Septuagint, "The ways of a man in youth (ἐν νεότητι)." So Vulgate,Viam viri in adolescentia. But this is feeble, andalmah is without doubt rightly rendered "maid," "virgin." The proverb says that the sinful act to which it alludes leaves no outward sign by which it can generally be recognized; it escapes man's knowledge. This is exemplified and confirmed in the following verse. It is not sufficient to refer the saying to the insidious arts of the seducer, by which he saps the principles and inflames the passions of his victim. The sin of unchastity is signified, which demands secrecy and affords no token of its commission. Two of the above parallels, says Cheyne, are given in a quatrain of a Vedic hymn to Varuna -

"The path of ships across the sea,
The soaring eagle's flight he knows." Some of the Fathers and earlier commentators, and among moderns, Bishop Wordsworth, have not been content with the literal sense of this gnonic, but have found in it, as in the others, deep spiritual mysteries. Christ is the great Eagle (Revelation 12:14), who ascended beyond human ken; the serpent is the devil, who works his wily way in secret, and who tried to pass into the mind of Christ, who is the Rock; the ship is the Church, which preserves its course amid the waves of this troublesome world, though we cannot mark its strength or whither it is guided; and the fourth mystery is the incarnation of Jesus Christ our Lord, when "the virgin (almah) conceived and bare a son" (Isaiah 7:14), when "a woman encompassed a man (geber)" (Jeremiah 31:22). We can see the greater or less appropriateness of such accommodation, but the proverb must have been received by contemporaries only in its literal sense, whatever were the inner mysteries which the Holy Spirit wished to communicate thereby.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

the way
דֶּ֤רֶךְ(de·reḵ)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 1870:A road, a course of life, mode of action

of an eagle
הַנֶּ֨שֶׁר ׀(han·ne·šer)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5404:The eagle

in the sky,
בַּשָּׁמַיִם֮(baš·šā·ma·yim)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8064:Heaven, sky

the way
דֶּ֥רֶךְ(de·reḵ)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 1870:A road, a course of life, mode of action

of a snake
נָחָ֗שׁ(nā·ḥāš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5175:A serpent

on
עֲלֵ֫י(‘ă·lê)
Preposition
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, against

a rock,
צ֥וּר(ṣūr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6697:A cliff, a rock, boulder, a refuge, an edge

the way
דֶּֽרֶךְ־(de·reḵ-)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 1870:A road, a course of life, mode of action

of a ship
אֳנִיָּ֥ה(’o·nî·yāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 591:A ship

at sea,
יָ֑ם(yām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3220:A sea, the Mediterranean Sea, large river, an artifical basin

and the way
וְדֶ֖רֶךְ(wə·ḏe·reḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 1870:A road, a course of life, mode of action

of a man
גֶּ֣בֶר(ge·ḇer)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1397:A valiant man, warrior, a person simply

with a maiden.
בְּעַלְמָֽה׃(bə·‘al·māh)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5959:A young woman, a virgin

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OT Poetry: Proverbs 30:19 The way of an eagle (Prov. Pro Pr)