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.

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.

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.

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.’…

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














the way of an eagle in the sky
This phrase captures the majestic and mysterious flight of an eagle, a creature often associated with strength and vision in the Bible. The Hebrew word for "eagle" is "nesher," which signifies a large bird of prey. Eagles are known for their ability to soar effortlessly, using thermal currents to glide through the sky. This imagery reflects the divine wisdom and sovereignty of God, who sees all from His heavenly vantage point. The eagle's flight is a metaphor for the inscrutable and awe-inspiring ways of God, as well as the pursuit of spiritual heights by believers.

the way of a snake on a rock
The snake, or "nachash" in Hebrew, is a creature that moves with stealth and subtlety. On a rock, its path is not easily discernible, leaving no trace behind. This imagery can be seen as a representation of the cunning and elusive nature of sin, which can be difficult to detect and avoid. Historically, snakes have been symbols of both danger and wisdom, as seen in the Genesis account of the serpent in the Garden of Eden. The rock, a symbol of stability and permanence, contrasts with the snake's transient path, highlighting the need for discernment and vigilance in the Christian walk.

the way of a ship in the heart of the sea
A ship navigating the vast and unpredictable sea is a powerful image of human endeavor and exploration. The Hebrew word for "ship" is "oniya," and the "heart of the sea" suggests the deep, mysterious, and often perilous nature of life's journey. In biblical times, the sea was seen as a place of chaos and danger, yet also of opportunity and adventure. This phrase can inspire believers to trust in God's guidance and providence as they navigate the uncertainties of life, much like a ship relies on the stars and compass to find its way.

the way of a man with a maiden
This phrase speaks to the profound and often inexplicable nature of romantic love and attraction. The Hebrew word for "man" is "geber," which can denote strength and maturity, while "maiden" is "almah," referring to a young woman of marriageable age. The relationship between a man and a maiden is a mystery that reflects the deep, covenantal love that God has for His people. In a conservative Christian perspective, this love is seen as a sacred bond, ordained by God, and a reflection of Christ's love for the Church. The mystery of this relationship calls believers to honor and cherish the sanctity of marriage.

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, and almah 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)
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