PROVERBS CHAPTER 17 _Of sacrifices_; of the remainders of sacrifices, of which they used to make feasts; of which SEE POOLE ON "PROVERBS 7:14". Or, _of slain_ beasts, as that word is used, GENESIS 31:54, and elsewhere.... [ Continue Reading ]
SHALL HAVE RULE OVER A SON THAT CAUSETH SHAME; either as being by his father appointed tutor or guardian to his son; or being by his wisdom advanced to that estate and dignity which the other possibly hath lost by his folly. SHALL HAVE PART OF THE INHERITANCE AMONG THE BRETHREN; partly as a just rec... [ Continue Reading ]
The hearts of men cannot be searched and known by any human art, but by God only.... [ Continue Reading ]
A WICKED DOER, or, a malicious or mischievous man, whose practice and delight it is to bring trouble to others, GIVETH HEED TO FALSE LIPS, Heb. _to lips of iniquity_, to any wicked counsels or speeches, to false accusations and calumnies, which give him occasion and encouragement to do mischief. A L... [ Continue Reading ]
MOCKETH THE POOR; derideth or reproacheth him with or for his poverty. HIS MAKER; God, who by his providence made him poor. See the same assertion PROVERBS 14:31. AT CALAMITIES; at the miseries of other men.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CROWN OF OLD MEN; their honour and happiness, because they are in themselves blessings of God, and testimonies of God's favour, although sometimes they may become the shame of their father's house. THEIR FATHERS; namely, such fathers as are wise and godly, as is evident from the nature of the th... [ Continue Reading ]
EXCELLENT SPEECH; either, 1. Discourse of high and excellent things far above his capacity. Or, 2. Lofty or eloquent speech, which fools oft affect, Or, 3. Virtuous and godly discourse. A FOOL; either properly so called; or, as this word is most commonly used in this book, a wicked man, whose act... [ Continue Reading ]
AS A PRECIOUS STONE; pleasant and acceptable, and withal dazzleth his eyes. OF HIM THAT HATH IT, Heb. _of the lord_ or _owner of it_; either, 1. Of the giver; or rather, 2. Of the receiver of it, who by the giver is made lord of it; for to his eyes it was exposed, that he might discern the beauty... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT COVERETH A TRANSGRESSION; that concealeth, as far as he may, other men's faults against himself, or against their friends. SEEKETH, i.e. findeth or obtaineth, as this word is used here below, PROVERBS 17:19, PROVERBS 11:27. LOVE; either 1. To himself. Or rather, 2. To the transgressor or offe... [ Continue Reading ]
Is more effectual for his reformation.... [ Continue Reading ]
AN EVIL MAN SEEKETH ONLY REBELLION; it is the constant study and business of wicked men to rebel, either, 1. Against men in authority. But this is not universally true, for many most wicked persons are not guilty of that sin. Or rather, 2. Against God. For, 1. Thus it is true of all wicked men.... [ Continue Reading ]
ROBBED OF HER WHELPS, when she is most cruel and fierce. IN HIS FOLLY; in the heat of his lust or passion, because the danger is greater, all things considered, and more unavoidable.... [ Continue Reading ]
From his person and family, because such a man is most hateful to God and to all mankind; God will punish him, and men will not pity nor relieve him.... [ Continue Reading ]
LETTETH OUT WATER, by cutting the bank of a river, in which case the water quickly widens the breach, and breaks in with irresistible violence and fury, and causeth great mischief and destruction. LEAVE OFF CONTENTION, BEFORE IT BE MEDDLED WITH; avoid the occasions and prevent the beginnings of cont... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT JUSTIFIETH; that acquitteth him as innocent by a judicial sentence, or otherwise approveth or commendeth his evil practices; by which we may easily understand what it is to condemn the just.... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEREFORE? the question implies that it is unworthily placed, and that it is to no purpose or benefit of the possessor. A PRICE; possessions or riches, as all the ancient translators render it, of which this word is used, ISAIAH 55:1, and elsewhere, under which all opportunities and abilities of get... [ Continue Reading ]
A FRIEND, a sincere and hearty friend, loveth at all times, not only in prosperity, but also in adversity, when false friends forsake us. A BROTHER, who is so not only by name and blood, but by brotherly affection, IS BORN FOR ADVERSITY; was sent into the world for this among other ends, that he mig... [ Continue Reading ]
STRIKETH HANDS, in token of his becoming surety; of which phrase, and of the thing itself, see on PROVERBS 6:1, PROVERBS 11:15. His friend: the friend here is either, 1. Before and to the creditor. Or rather, 2. Before, and with, and for the debtor, for whom, as being his friend, he becomes surety,... [ Continue Reading ]
HE LOVETH TRANSGRESSION THAT LOVETH STRIFE, because contention is in itself a sin, and is commonly accompanied or followed with many sins, as detraction, malice, hatred, pride, &c. HIS GATE; either, 1. His mouth, i.e. who speaketh loftily; for we read of _the gate_ or _doors_ of one's mouth in MICA... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT HATH A FROWARD HEART, whose heart is not plain and upright, but false towards God or men, FINDETH NO GOOD; shall not get that advantage by his dissimulation which he intends and expects, but shall fall into mischief, as is implied from the opposite clause. HE THAT HATH A PERVERSE TONGUE; tha... [ Continue Reading ]
A FOOL; not a natural, but a wilful fool, or a wicked son. THE FATHER; and consequently the mother also. HATH NO JOY, which parents usually have in the birth of a child, and especially of a son; but hath great cause of sorrow, the contrary being implied in this and such-like expressions, as in Scrip... [ Continue Reading ]
A MERRY HEART; cheerfulness of soul, especially that which is solid, and ariseth from the witness of a good conscience. DOETH GOOD, even to the body; it contributes very much to the restoration or preservation of bodily health and rigour, as physicians observe, and experience showeth. BROKEN; sad an... [ Continue Reading ]
A WICKED MAN, whether judge or witness. OUT OF THE BOSOM; in secret, as this phrase is expounded, PROVERBS 21:14, being privily conveyed from the bosom of the giver into his own bosom. TO PERVERT THE WAYS OF JUDGMENT; to give or procure an unjust sentence.... [ Continue Reading ]
BEFORE HIM; or, _in_ (as the particle _beth_ is used, DEUTERONOMY 2:7, and is here rendered by divers interpreters) the face or countenance. The sense is either, 1. His wisdom appears even in his gestures and looks, which are modest, and composed, and grave. Or, 2. Wisdom is before him, or in his... [ Continue Reading ]
This he said before, PROVERBS 15:20, and elsewhere; but he here repeats it as a point of great moment and constant use, and as a powerful motive to oblige both children to carry themselves wisely and dutifully to their parents, as they would not be thought to be unnatural or inhuman, and parents to... [ Continue Reading ]
ALSO: this particle seems to have relation to the next foregoing proverb, to imply that it is a very evil thing for children to cause grief to their parents, as it is also to do what here follows. TO PUNISH THE JUST; for parents, or princes, or rulers, to whom alone this power belongs, to punish inn... [ Continue Reading ]
SPARETH, Heb. _restraineth_, as at other times, so especially when he is provoked to passion, in which case fools utter all their mind. An excellent spirit; which he showeth by commanding his passions, and bridling himself from hasty and unadvised speeches. Or, as others render it, is of a cool spir... [ Continue Reading ]
IS COUNTED WISE, because he is sensible of his own folly, and therefore forbears to speak, lest he should discover it; which is a great point of true wisdom.... [ Continue Reading ]