CRITICAL NOTES.—
PROVERBS 23:1. WHEN THOU SITTEST, etc. Miller here translates
“_Forasmuch as thou sittest_,” and applying the word _ruler_ to
God gives to the proverb a meaning entirely different from that
generally attached to it. See his remarks in the Suggestive Comments.
WHAT IS BEFORE THEE? R... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.—
PROVERBS 23:5. WILT THOU SET THINE EYES? etc. Rather “_Wilt thou
look eagerly after it, and it is gone?_”
_MAIN HOMILETICS OF Proverbs 23:4_
THE DECEITFULNESS OF RICHES
In order to get the true meaning of this proverb it is necessary to
define what Solomon understands by labourin... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.—
PROVERBS 23:6. HIM THAT HATH AN EVIL EYE—_i.e._, the jealous man.
_MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.— Proverbs 23:6_
FEIGNED GENEROSITY
I. MEN’S INWARD LIFE AND FEELINGS ARE OFTEN DIRECTLY OPPOSED TO
THEIR OUTWARD LIFE AND ACTIONS. A man is here pictured as manifesting
a large ho... [ Continue Reading ]
_MAIN HOMILETICS OF Proverbs 23:9_
THE MORALLY INCURABLE
I. A MAN MAY BECOME MORALLY INCURABLE BY HUMAN INSTRUCTORS. There are
cases of bodily disease which it would be quite useless for the most
skilful physician to attempt to cure; such an attempt would only be a
throwing away of time and energy... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.—
PROVERBS 23:11. THEIR REDEEMER. Their _Goel_, or Avenger. In the
Hebrew law this word is applied to the nearest kinsman. (See Ruth
3:12.)
_MAIN HOMILETICS OF Proverbs 23:10_
THE RIGHTS OF PRIVATE PROPERTY
I. IN THE COMMUNITY FORMED UNDER DIVINE DIRECTION THERE WAS A
POSSESSION OF... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.—
PROVERBS 23:17. LET NOT THINE HEART ENVY, etc. The verb translated
_envy_ refers to both objects in the verse, and is better translated
“_strive after_.” Miller renders it “_be aglow_.” “It is,”
he says, “a verb expressive of all emotion.” (See Numbers 25:11.)
PROVERBS 23:18. SURE... [ Continue Reading ]
CRITICAL NOTES.—
PROVERBS 23:30. MIXED WINE—_i.e._, wine mixed with strong spices.
PROVERBS 23:31. WHEN IT GIVETH HIS COLOUR, etc., literally, “When it
showeth its eye.” This may refer to its _brightness_, or to the
_head_, or _pearl_ of the wine. “WHEN IT MOVETH ITSELF,” etc.,
rather “when it gli... [ Continue Reading ]