Lexical Summary Yaqeh: Yaqeh Original Word: יָקֶה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Jakeh From an unused root probably meaning to obey; obedient; Jakeh, a symbolical name (for Solomon) -- Jakeh. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom an unused word Definition father of Agur NASB Translation Jakeh (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs יָקֶה proper name, masculine father of Agur, אָגוּר בִּןיָֿקֶה הַמַּשָּׂא Proverbs 30:1 (read probably הַמַּשָּׂאִי or ׃מִמַּשָּׂא: see Be-Nowxvi f f.) Topical Lexicon Name and Meaning Jakeh (יַקֶּה, Strong’s Hebrew 3348) is recorded as the father of Agur, the inspired sage whose sayings form Proverbs 30. The name is commonly connected with roots that convey the ideas of “obedient,” “blameless,” or “pious,” fitting a man remembered chiefly for having reared a son whose words were judged worthy of inclusion in Holy Scripture. Biblical Setting “These are the words of Agur son of Jakeh—the oracle” (Proverbs 30:1). Nothing more is said explicitly about Jakeh, yet this single reference places him within the broader wisdom tradition of Israel. Proverbs 25:1 notes that men of Hezekiah’s court copied additional Solomonic proverbs, and many scholars see Chapters 30–31 as part of that same editorial effort. Jakeh therefore belongs to a circle of sages whose teaching was preserved during a period of spiritual renewal in Judah. Textual and Literary Considerations 1. Proper Name or Descriptive Title? Some propose that “Agur son of Jakeh, the oracle” may be read as a descriptive clause (“Agur son of the obedient, the Massaite”), but the traditional vocalization treats both Agur and Jakeh as personal names. The conservative reading affirms the historicity of a man named Jakeh whose son delivered the inspired sayings. 2. Connection to “Massa” The word translated “oracle” (massa) can denote a prophetic burden (e.g., Isaiah 13:1) or the geographic district inhabited by Ishmael’s descendant Massa (Genesis 25:14). If the geographical sense is intended, Jakeh and Agur may have hailed from an Ishmaelite enclave, illustrating that the fear of the LORD had reached beyond Israel’s ethnic borders. Theology and Themes in Proverbs 30 Agur’s discourse acknowledges human limitation (30:2-3), exalts the incomprehensible greatness of God (30:4), and underscores the purity of divine revelation: “Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him” (30:5). By supplying the paternal identification “son of Jakeh,” the text quietly honors the formative role of a father who evidently cultivated reverence for the LORD and confidence in His word. Historical and Cultural Insights • Father-son transmission of wisdom was central to Israelite pedagogy (Proverbs 1:8; 4:1-4). Jakeh stands in this line, his name sealing the authenticity of the wisdom that follows. Lessons for Ministry and Discipleship 1. Parental Influence: Even a single verse can immortalize the faithful labor of a parent whose devotion shapes a child’s spiritual legacy. Churches and families today should prize intentional, Scripture-centered instruction. Summary Jakeh, though mentioned only once, represents the God-fearing parent whose influence extends—through his son’s inspired sayings—to every generation that reads Proverbs 30. His legacy underscores the enduring power of familial discipleship and the unbroken consistency of Scripture in exalting the LORD as the sole source of flawless wisdom. Forms and Transliterations יָקֶ֗ה יקה yā·qeh yaKeh yāqehLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Proverbs 30:1 HEB: אָג֥וּר בִּן־ יָקֶ֗ה הַמַּ֫שָּׂ֥א נְאֻ֣ם NAS: the son of Jakeh, the oracle. KJV: the son of Jakeh, [even] the prophecy: INT: of Agur the son of Jakeh the oracle declares |
    |