Jakeh
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Jakeh is a biblical figure mentioned in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Proverbs. He is identified as the father of Agur, the author of Proverbs 30. The name "Jakeh" is of Hebrew origin, and while its exact meaning is uncertain, it is often interpreted as "pious" or "careful."

Biblical Reference:

The primary reference to Jakeh is found in Proverbs 30:1, which states: "The words of Agur son of Jakeh, the oracle: This man declared to Ithiel, to Ithiel and Ucal."

Context and Significance:

Jakeh's mention in the Bible is brief, and he is known solely through his son, Agur. Agur's sayings, attributed to the wisdom tradition, are part of the collection of wise sayings in the Book of Proverbs. Proverbs 30 is unique in its style and content, offering a series of numerical proverbs and observations about life, nature, and human behavior.

The identity and background of Jakeh remain largely unknown, as the Bible does not provide additional details about his life or lineage. However, his inclusion in the text as the father of Agur suggests a recognition of his role in the transmission of wisdom. The mention of Jakeh may imply that he was a person of some standing or reputation, given that his son is credited with a portion of the biblical wisdom literature.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, the mention of Jakeh underscores the importance of family lineage and the transmission of wisdom from one generation to the next. In the biblical tradition, wisdom is often seen as a divine gift, and those who possess it are regarded as having a special relationship with God. Jakeh's role as the father of Agur highlights the familial context in which wisdom is nurtured and passed down.

The brief reference to Jakeh also serves as a reminder of the many unnamed and lesser-known individuals who played roles in the biblical narrative. While not much is known about Jakeh himself, his mention in the scriptures signifies the value placed on wisdom and the individuals who contribute to its preservation and dissemination.

Cultural and Historical Considerations:

In the ancient Near Eastern context, wisdom literature was a common genre, and the Book of Proverbs is part of this broader tradition. The sayings of Agur, and by extension the mention of Jakeh, reflect the cultural emphasis on practical knowledge, moral instruction, and the pursuit of understanding.

The historical setting of Jakeh and Agur is not explicitly detailed in the Bible, leading to various interpretations and scholarly discussions about their origins. Some scholars suggest that Agur and Jakeh may have been part of a wisdom school or community, contributing to the rich tapestry of Israelite wisdom literature.

In summary, Jakeh's mention in the Bible, though brief, connects him to the enduring legacy of wisdom that is central to the teachings of the Book of Proverbs. His role as the father of Agur highlights the familial and communal aspects of wisdom transmission in the biblical tradition.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Jakeh

(pious). [PROVERBS, BOOK OF, BOOK OF]

Easton's Bible Dictionary
Pious, the father of Agur (Proverbs 30:1). Nothing is known of him.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
JAKEH

ja'-ke (yaqeh, perhaps from Arabic root meaning "carefully religious"; yaqe', as if from qi'): The father of Agur, the author of the sayings recorded in Proverbs 30:1. Nothing is known of either Jakeh or Agur. The immediate connection in the Hebrew text of ha-massa', "the prophecy" or "burden" (the King James Version "even the prophecy," the Revised Version (British and American) "the oracle") with ne'um, "oracle" (the King James Version "spake," the Revised Version (British and American) "saith") is quite exceptional, while the verse is unintelligible and the text, as the Septuagint shows, is evidently corrupt. The best emendation is that which changes ha-massa', "the prophecy," into ha-massa'i, "the Massaite," or into mimmassa', "of Massa" (Revised Version margin), Massa being the name of the country of an Ishmaelite tribe (compare Genesis 25:14 1 Chronicles 1:30; Proverbs 31:1 the Revised Version margin).

See AGUR.

James Crichton

Strong's Hebrew
3348. Yaqeh -- father of Agur
... 3347, 3348. Yaqeh. 3349 . father of Agur. Transliteration: Yaqeh Phonetic
Spelling: (yaw-keh') Short Definition: Jakeh. Word ... Jakeh. From ...
/hebrew/3348.htm - 5k
Library

The Poetical Books.
... out.". 7. Chapter xxx. is said to contain "The words of Agur, the son of
Jakeh, the oracle." The author is wholly unknown. 8. Chapter ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter vii the poetical books.htm

Further Incidents of the Journey to Jerusalem - the Mission and ...
... Thus, in the allegorism of the Midrash, in the inscription, Proverbs 30:1, concerning
Agur, the son of Jakeh' - which is viewed as a symbolical designation of ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter v further incidents of.htm

The Blessing of Jacob Upon Judah. (Gen. Xlix. 8-10. )
... From it is derived [Hebrew: iqh] pius in Proverbs 30:1, where the son of Jakeh speaks
to "With me is God, and I prevail" (Heb. Itheal and Ucal.). ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the blessing of jacob upon.htm

Thesaurus
Jakeh (1 Occurrence)
... him. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. JAKEH. ja ... margin). See AGUR. James Crichton.
Multi-Version Concordance Jakeh (1 Occurrence). Proverbs ...
/j/jakeh.htm - 8k

Ucal (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ITHIEL AND UCAL. ('ithi'el we'ukhal): Names of
the two men to whom Agur the son of Jakeh spoke his words (Proverbs 30:1). The ...
/u/ucal.htm - 8k

Ithiel (2 Occurrences)
... ITHIEL AND UCAL. ('ithi'el we'ukhal): Names of the two men to whom Agur the son
of Jakeh spoke his words (Proverbs 30:1). The purport of introducing these ...
/i/ithiel.htm - 8k

Proverbs (11 Occurrences)
... men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out." All these ascribe the proverbs to Solomon;
but the heading (30:1), "The words of Agur the son of Jakeh; the oracle ...
/p/proverbs.htm - 43k

Jakan (2 Occurrences)

/j/jakan.htm - 7k

Jakim (2 Occurrences)

/j/jakim.htm - 7k

Ith'i-el (1 Occurrence)
... Ith'i-el (1 Occurrence). Proverbs 30:1 The words of Agur the son of Jakeh; the burden.
The man saith unto Ithiel, unto Ithiel and Ucal: (See RSV). ...
/i/ith'i-el.htm - 6k

Massa (4 Occurrences)
... BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Proverbs 30:1 The words of Agur, the son
of Jakeh, from Massa. The man says: I am full of weariness ...
/m/massa.htm - 8k

Agur (1 Occurrence)
... Proverbs 30:1 The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, the oracle: the man says to Ithiel,
to Ithiel and Ucal: (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV). ...
/a/agur.htm - 7k

Resources
Who was Agur son of Jakeh (Proverbs 30)? | GotQuestions.org

Why didn't Solomon follow his own advice on women? | GotQuestions.org

Questions about Proverbs | GotQuestions.org

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