Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars: Ver. 1. _Wisdom._] Heb., Wisdoms, in the plural; and this, either _honoris causa,_ for honour's sake, or else by an ellipsis, as if the whole of it were "wisdom of wisdoms," as "the song of songs," for a most excellent song. Son 1:... [ Continue Reading ]
She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table. Ver. 2. _She hath killed her beasts._] Christ provideth for his the best of the best, "fat things full of marrow, wines on the lees," Isa 25:6 his own "flesh, which is meat indeed, his own blood, which is drin... [ Continue Reading ]
She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city, Ver. 3. _She hath sent forth her maidens._] So ministers are called - in prosecution of the allegory, for it is fit that this great lady should have suitable attendants - to teach them innocence, purity, and sedulity a... [ Continue Reading ]
Whoso [is] simple, let him turn in hither: [as for] him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, Ver. 4. _Whoso is simple._] And with it persuadable; that have not yet contracted that _callum obductum, corneas fibras,_ brawny breasts, horny heart strings. _ She saith to him._] It is Christ, t... [ Continue Reading ]
Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine [which] I have mingled. Ver. 5. _Come, eat of my bread._] Stand not off in a sinful modesty; say not, I am not worthy, &c., but "Come," for "the Master calls you," as they said to the blind man, who therefore came. And those recusant guests, by not comin... [ Continue Reading ]
Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding. Ver. 6. _Forsake the foolish._] No coming to this feast in the tattered rags of the old Adam; you must relinquish your former evil courses and companies. There are those who read the words thus, "Forsake, O foolish ones - viz., your... [ Continue Reading ]
He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked [man getteth] himself a blot. Ver. 7. _He that reproveth a scorner._] This, with the three next verses, may seem to come in by way of parenthesis; and they do not obscurely intimate what manner of hearers ministers... [ Continue Reading ]
Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. Ver. 8. _Reprove not a scorner._] See my "Commonplace of Admonition." Look how dogs prefer loathsome carrion before the sweetest odours, and would fly in the faces of such as would drive them from it: so is it here.... [ Continue Reading ]
Give [instruction] to a wise [man], and he will be yet wiser: teach a just [man], and he will increase in learning. Ver. 9. _Give admonition to a wise man._] This is an alms that the poorest may give, and be never the poorer, but the better. For by instructing another, a man engageth himself, lest... [ Continue Reading ]
The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy [is] understanding. Ver. 10. _The fear of the Lord._] _See Trapp on "_ Pro 1:7 _"_ Here it is given as a reason why wise men are the better for sharp and seasonable admonition, because the fear of the Lord is in them.... [ Continue Reading ]
For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased. Ver. 11. _For by me thy days._] This verse depends upon Proverbs 9:6. _See Trapp on "_ Pro 9:7 _"_ Those that embrace wisdom shall be paid for their pains, either in money or money's worth. Either they shall die,... [ Continue Reading ]
If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but [if] thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear [it]. Ver. 12. _If thou be wise, thou shalt._] The benefit shall be thine own. Plutarch reports of the palm tree that it yields to the Babylonians three hundred and sixty different commodities, and is the... [ Continue Reading ]
A foolish woman [is] clamorous: [she is] simple, and knoweth nothing. Ver. 13. _A foolish woman is clamorous._] This woman is "folly," as that woman sitting in the ephah is "wickedness." Zec 5:7 Lavater is of the opinion, that as by wisdom is meant Christ, so by this foolish woman here is meant ant... [ Continue Reading ]
For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city, Ver. 14. _For she sitteth at the door._] In a harlot's habit, to see and be seen; the guise and garb of harlots. Cicero wittily compareth the Greek tongue to an ambitious strumpet, _quae multo luxu superfluat,_ whic... [ Continue Reading ]
To call passengers who go right on their ways: Ver. 15. _That go right on their way._] She fights at the fairest, seeks to seduce the forwardest. "They shall deceive, if it were possible, the very elect." Mat 24:24 Flies settle upon the sweetest perfumes when they are cold, and corrupt them.... [ Continue Reading ]
Whoso [is] simple, let him turn in hither: and [as for] him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, Ver. 16. _Who is simple._] Wisdom's own words. Pro 9:4 Take heed, saith our Saviour; they come unto you "in sheep's clothing"; Mat 7:15 but trust them not, for "with fair words and flattering s... [ Continue Reading ]
Stolen waters are sweet, and bread [eaten] in secret is pleasant. Ver. 17. _Stolen waters are sweet._] Forbidden pleasures are most pleasing to sensualists, who count no mirth but madness; no pleasure, unless they may have the devil to their playfellow. Venison is nothing so sweet, they say, as whe... [ Continue Reading ]
_But he knoweth not that the dead [are] there; [and that] her guests [are] in the depths of hell._ Ver. 18. _That the dead are there._] _See Trapp on "_ Pro 2:18 _"_ _See Trapp on "_ Pro 7:27 _"_... [ Continue Reading ]