_a man_ This is better taken collectively, and rendered MEN, as in R.V. text. _the state_thereof] i.e. its stability. This rendering is retained in R.V. Others render (taking the word _state_in its more usual sense as an adverb) _so, on that condition_, sc. of its possessing men of understanding an... [ Continue Reading ]
_a poor man_ Better, with R.V., A NEEDY MAN, the Hebrew word being different from that rendered _poor_immediately after. The proverb has commonly been held to refer to _official_oppression. "A man in authority is implied. In many Eastern countries the offices of government are frequently sold to ne... [ Continue Reading ]
_the law_ not in its Jewish form, "The Law," sc. of Moses, but in its wider sense; and so in Proverbs 28:7_; Proverbs 28:9_, below. See Introd. p. 13.... [ Continue Reading ]
The intellectual condition depends upon the moral and spiritual. "Obedience is the organ of spiritual knowledge." Comp. John 7:17.... [ Continue Reading ]
The first half of the proverb occurs in Proverbs 19:1. _perverse in_his _ways_ Lit. PERVERSE OF TWO WAYS: i.e. in double-dealing. Comp. "Woe … to the sinner that goeth two ways!" Sir 2:12; ἀνὴρ δίψυχος ἀκατάστατος ἐν πάσαις ταις ὁδοῖς αὐτοῦ, James 1:8.... [ Continue Reading ]
_riotous_ Rather, GLUTTONOUS. See Proverbs 23:20, note.... [ Continue Reading ]
_unjust gain_ Rather, INCREASE, as A.V. marg. and R.V. text, μετὰ τόκων καὶ πλεονασμῶν, LXX. Comp. Leviticus 25:36-37. The idea of its being "unjust" is implied by the word "usury" with which it is associated. The R.V. gives _augmenteth_, instead of _increaseth_, in the former part of the verse, as... [ Continue Reading ]
_abomination_ Comp. ch. Proverbs 15:8.... [ Continue Reading ]
_the upright_&c. Better, with R.V., THE PERFECT SHALL INHERIT GOOD.... [ Continue Reading ]
_searcheth him out sees through him_, as we should say, "Bene novit, neutiquam, ut Euripidis utamur dicto, τὸν εὐτυχοῦντα πάντʼ ἐπίστασθαι καλῶς," Maurer.... [ Continue Reading ]
_a man is hidden_ Rather, MEN HIDE THEMSELVES, R.V. "Heb. _must be searched for_," marg. Comp. Proverbs 28:28.... [ Continue Reading ]
_feareth_ i.e. to do wrong, with a wise and godly caution. ὂς καταπτήσσει πάντα διʼ εὐλάβειαν, LXX. Comp. the N.T. use of εὐλάβεια and its cognates, Hebrews 5:7; Hebrews 11:7. _mischief_ "Or, _calamity_," R.V. marg.... [ Continue Reading ]
_ranging_ i.e. with a view to satisfy its hunger. The word is used in its secondary sense, _hungry_, Psalms 107:9. Comp. 1 Peter 5:8. λέων πεινῶν καὶ λύκος διψῶν, LXX., _ursus esuriens_, Vulg.... [ Continue Reading ]
_The prince_&c. Lit. _A prince that lacketh understanding and a great oppressor!_i.e. the two are identical. There is no particle of connection or contrast between the two clauses of the verse, and R.V. marg. adopts the view that the whole verse is a continuous address or admonition: _O prince that... [ Continue Reading ]
_doeth violence to_ Rather, IS LADEN WITH, R.V. See Genesis 9:6.... [ Continue Reading ]
that is _perverse in_his _ways_ Or, _walketh_(understood from the first clause of the verse) _perversely in two ways_. "Heb. _perverse of two ways._" R.V. marg. See Proverbs 28:6, note. _at once_ Some commentators render, not very happily, _in one of them_, i.e. of the two ways mentioned in the fir... [ Continue Reading ]
Comp. Proverbs 12:11.... [ Continue Reading ]
_faithful_ i.e., as the second clause shews, one who puts fidelity above gain. Comp. Psalms 15:4. _innocent_ Rather, UNPUNISHED, A.V. marg. and R.V. οὐκ ἀτιμώρητος ἔσται, LXX.... [ Continue Reading ]
_For … that man will transgress_ Or, _Neither that a man should transgress_, R.V. The rendering of A.V., however, which is retained substantially in R.V. marg., has the support both of LXX. and Vulg. _a piece of bread_ Dean Plumptre, in _Speaker's Comm_., and others quote the words of Cato with ref... [ Continue Reading ]
_He that hasteth_&c. The order of subject and predicate should be reversed as in A.V. marg. and R.V.: _He that hath an evil eye hasteth after riches_. After the manner of this Collection, we have three proverbs (Proverbs 28:20) on the same subject brought together. Covetousness is a characteristic o... [ Continue Reading ]
_a destroyer_ "That is the deliberate villain who is prepared for any crime. Comp. Matthew 15:4; Matthew 15:6." _Rel. Tr. Soc. Comm_. Comp. Proverbs 18:9.... [ Continue Reading ]
_of a proud heart_ Lit. WIDE OF SOUL. This may mean having his soul enlarged, either by the elation of pride, as A.V. (comp. _wide of heart_, Proverbs 21:4; Psalms 101:5), or by the desire of gain, _He that is of a greedy spirit_, R.V. The expression breadth or width of heart is used in a good sense... [ Continue Reading ]
_hideth his eyes_ in neglect or disgust. Comp. Isaiah 1:15; and see Sir 4:5-6.... [ Continue Reading ]