The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him. THE WORDS OF KING LEMUEL - a figurative name for an ideal model king. It means 'Devoted to God.' Hitzig fancifully makes Lemuel eider brother to Agur, and king of an Arab tribe in Manna, on the borders of Palestine; and both desc... [ Continue Reading ]
What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows? WHAT, MY SON: AND WHAT, THE SON OF MY WOMB (for whom I have borne such throes, and whom therefore, I so intensely love)? AND WHAT. The thrice-repeated interrogation implies the strength of the mother's feelings: What am... [ Continue Reading ]
Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings. Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings. GIVE NOT THY STRENGTH UNTO WOMEN ... WHICH DESTROYETH KINGS - (.) A snare to kings especially, because their power gives them impunity in... [ Continue Reading ]
It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: (IT IS) NOT FOR KINGS ... TO DRINK WINE. Let all intoxicating drink be put away from kings. The reason follows: LEST THEY DRINK, AND FORGET THE LAW - (cf. ; ) Kings do not need it in ordinary health,... [ Continue Reading ]
Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. GIVE STRONG DRINK UNTO HIM THAT IS READY TO PERISH, AND ... UNTO THOSE ... OF HEAVY HEARTS. The use of wine is not as a continual beverage, but as a cordial and restorative where stimulants are neede... [ Continue Reading ]
Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. LET HIM DRINK, AND FORGET HIS POVERTY. Cause him, by the wine which thou givest him (not in excess, but in moderation), to "forget" his sorrow, instead of thyself by wine 'forgetting the law' ().... [ Continue Reading ]
Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. OPEN THY MOUTH FOR THE DUMB - i:e., for those who cannot defend themselves in the courts of justice. IN THE CAUSE OF ALL SUCH AS ARE APPOINTED TO DESTRUCTION - literally, 'the sons of passing away.' Maurer, '... [ Continue Reading ]
_OPEN THY MOUTH, JUDGE RIGHTEOUSLY, AND PLEAD THE CAUSE OF THE POOR AND NEEDY._ No JFB commentary on this verse.... [ Continue Reading ]
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The praises of a virtuous woman; forming a Hebrew acrostic. The 22 years begin with the several 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet consecutively; M. Henry calls it, 'a locking-glass for ladies.' Lemuel's "mother" (Proverbs 31:1) sug... [ Continue Reading ]