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Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

Proverbs 24

Proverbs 24:2

_destruction_ Better, VIOLENCE, or, OPPRESSION. Comp. Proverbs 21:7, where the same Heb. word is rendered _robbery_, A.V., and _violence_, R.V. These Proverbs 24:1-2, as compared with Proverbs 3:31-32, and Proverbs 23:17-18, are an example of the repetition in this Book of the same injunction, supp... [ Continue Reading ]

Proverbs 24:5

_strong_ Lit. IN STRENGTH, A.V. and R.V. marg. Comp. The voice of Jehovah is in might; The voice of Jehovah is in majesty. Psalms 29:4. "The expression is more forcible than if adjectives denoting these qualities (-mighty," -majestic") had been used. Comp. ἐν ἐξουσίᾳ, Luke 4:32; ἐν ἰσχύϊ (rec.),... [ Continue Reading ]

Proverbs 24:6

_safety_ or _victory_, as in 2 Samuel 19:2, and perhaps in 2 Kings 5:1. The first half of this proverb occurs Proverbs 20:18, and the second Proverbs 11:14.... [ Continue Reading ]

Proverbs 24:7

too _high_ Lit. (_unattainable_) HEIGHTS. The same Heb. word is rendered _coral_, Job 28:18; Ezekiel 27:16; so that we might render here _an_unattainable _treasure_, or _a gem_beyond his reach. _openeth not his mouth_, &c. Contrast Job 29:7-10; Job 29:21-25.... [ Continue Reading ]

Proverbs 24:8

_shall be called_ Lit. _they_(men) _shall call_him. However secretly he works (comp. Psalms 64:6 [Hebrews 7]), his true character shall be found out, and his reputation shall accord with it.... [ Continue Reading ]

Proverbs 24:9

_foolishness_ i.e. FOOLS: abstract for concrete. _and_ "Or, _but the scorner_. Perhaps the meaning is that the very _purpose_of evil is sinful in the sight of God; but the bold and insolent transgressor is not only offensive to God but odious to men." _Rel. Tr. Soc. Commentary_.... [ Continue Reading ]

Proverbs 24:10

_faint_ Or, _art slack_. The Heb. word is the same as in Proverbs 18:9. is _small_ as is proved to be the case by thy "fainting" under pressure. But the proverb may mean, _because of_thy fainting thy strength _will be_small; want of courage will cause want of strength to meet the emergency. So Vulg... [ Continue Reading ]

Proverbs 24:11

_drawn unto death … ready to be slain_ whether by unjust judgement, or by violence. In the first case you may deliver a soul by giving true witness (Proverbs 14:25), in the second, by not passing by like the priest and the Levite on the other side, but by rendering help with the good Samaritan. It... [ Continue Reading ]

Proverbs 24:14

_so shall the knowledge of wisdom be_ Rather, SO KNOW WISDOM TO BE. With like avidity as you eat honey (Proverbs 24:13), know, get to know, pursue the knowledge of, wisdom. Comp. Psalms 19:10 (Hebrews 11). _reward_ See Proverbs 23:18 note.... [ Continue Reading ]

Proverbs 24:15

_O wicked_man], Or, _as a wicked_man. _dwelling … resting place_ or _pasture … fold_(R.V. marg.); making the picture pastoral.... [ Continue Reading ]

Proverbs 24:16

_falleth_ not into _sin_, for the Heb. word is never used of moral lapse, but into trouble or calamity. You will "lay wait against" him and "spoil" him (Proverbs 24:15) to no purpose. You may cause him many "falls" by your machinations, but he will rise superior to them all. "Though he fall, he shal... [ Continue Reading ]

Proverbs 24:18

_from him_ Some commentators would add, "upon thee"; "et irascatur contra te," Münster. It is better to leave the proverb as it stands, and to supplement its teaching by such proverbs as Proverbs 24:29; Proverbs 25:21-22.... [ Continue Reading ]

Proverbs 24:20

_reward_ See Proverbs 24:14, and Proverbs 23:18, note. _candle_ Rather, LAMP, R.V. Comp. Proverbs 13:9; Proverbs 20:20. The lamp going out accords with the "_no_reward," or "_future_" of the preceding clause.... [ Continue Reading ]

Proverbs 24:22

_of them both_ i.e. those who are given to change, whether against God or against the king (Proverbs 24:21); ruinam utriusque quis novit? Vulg. Others understand, the destruction inflicted by them both, sc. both God and the king. Comp. calamity from God, lit. the calamity of (inflicted by) God, Job... [ Continue Reading ]

Proverbs 24:23

IV. Third Collection of Proverbs. Chap. Proverbs 24:23-34 A short Collection resembling in character the Second Collection, to which it forms a kind of Appendix. 23. _These_things _also_belong _to_ Rather, THESE ALSO _are sayings_of, R.V. Comp. Proverbs 22:17. The Heb. preposition is the same as i... [ Continue Reading ]

Proverbs 24:24

_the people_&c. Rather, PEOPLES SHALL CURSE HIM; NATIONS SHALL ABHOR HIM, R.V. From this it appears that it is to rulers and judges that the proverb primarily, though not necessarily exclusively, applies. In Proverbs 17:15 the divine, as here the human, estimate of such conduct is affirmed.... [ Continue Reading ]

Proverbs 24:26

Every man _shall kiss_his _lips_ Rather, HE KISSETH THE LIPS, or WITH THE LIPS: i.e. a right answer is as grateful and conciliating as a friendly salutation.... [ Continue Reading ]

Proverbs 24:27

_thy work_ viz. the work required for building thy house. Follow the course pursued in the erection of the Temple, 1 Kings 6:7. Comp. 1 Chronicles 28:2, _I had made ready_(the same Heb. word as is here rendered _prepare) for the building_. Such _preparing_and _making ready_includes mental as well a... [ Continue Reading ]

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