_hardeneth_his _neck_ like an obstinate and refractory ox. The same phrase occurs in Deuteronomy 10:16; 2 Kings 17:14. Comp. the similar phrase, _stiff-necked_, or _hard-necked_(the Heb. root being the same) Exodus 32:9; Deuteronomy 9:6; Acts 7:51 (σκληροτράχηλοι); and for other figurative expressio... [ Continue Reading ]
_in authority_ This rendering is supported by the parallelism, but it is relegated to the margin in R.V. The rendering, _increased_, R.V. text, A.V. marg., gives the more usual meaning of the Heb. word, See Proverbs 28:28, and Proverbs 29:16 below. _the wicked_ Or, _a wicked man_, R.V. The word is... [ Continue Reading ]
_wisdom_ regarded, as the second clause of the verse shews, as leading to purity of life. Comp. Proverbs 2:10; Proverbs 2:16. _spendeth_ Rather, WASTETH, R.V. ἀπολεῖ, LXX. Comp. διεσκόρπισε τὴν οὐσίαν αὐτοῦ … ὁ καταφαγών σου τὸν βίον μετὰ τῶν πορνῶν, Luke 15:13; Luke 15:30.... [ Continue Reading ]
_receiveth_ The R.V., _exacteth_, is scarcely an improvement, for it is enough to "overthrow the land" that the king be open to receive gifts. The Heb., _a man of offerings_, will bear either SENSE. The rendering of R.V. marg., _that imposeth tribute_, sacrifices the contrast in the two members of t... [ Continue Reading ]
_a snare_ in which, though perhaps he laid it for others (Psalms 9:15-16), he himself shall be taken, and so have sorrow, in contrast to the "joy and singing" of the righteous.... [ Continue Reading ]
_the cause_ the judicial cause in a court of law. Comp. Deuteronomy 17:8, where the same Heb. word is rendered _plea_. _regardeth not_ Or, _hath not understanding_, R.V. Either does not take the trouble, as the righteous does, to look into the case; or, has not the moral perception to grasp its bea... [ Continue Reading ]
_bring a city into a snare_ Rather, SET A CITY ON FIRE, A. V. marg., or, IN A FLAME, R.V.; ἐξέκαυσαν, LXX. Comp. Proverbs 20:10; Proverbs 26:21; and, for an illustration of the proverb, the story of Sheba the son of Bichri and the wise woman, 2 Samuel 20.... [ Continue Reading ]
_whether he rage_&c. This makes _the fool_the subject, as is more clearly brought out in R.V. marg., _He rageth and laugheth and there is no rest_. In R.V. text, however, _the wise man_is made the subject, _whether he be angry or laugh_, whether he seeks to bring the controversy to an end by severit... [ Continue Reading ]
_seek_ i.e. _care for_, as R.V. marg. Comp. Psalms 142:4 [Hebrews 5], where however the Hebrew word, _seek_, is not the same as here. It is more in accordance with the use of the phrase _to seek the life_, to render, with R.V. text, THE BLOODTHIRSTY HATE HIM THAT IS PERFECT: And as for the uprigh... [ Continue Reading ]
_mind_ Lit. SPIRIT; i.e. _passion_, or _anger_, R.V., θυμόν, LXX. _keepeth it in till afterwards_ Rather, KEEPETH IT BACK AND STILLETH it, R.V.; ταμιεύεται κατὰ μέρος, LXX.... [ Continue Reading ]
Comp. "As is the judge of his people, so are his ministers; And as is the ruler of the city, _such are_all they that dwell therein." Sir 10:2.... [ Continue Reading ]
_deceitful man_ Rather, OPPRESSOR. The rendering _usurer_, A.V. marg., which follows the LXX. δανειστής, and Vulg. _creditor_, restricts the reference to one form of oppression. _lighteneth both their eyes_ i.e. with the light of life, Psalms 13:3 [Hebrews 4]. Comp. "He maketh His sun to rise on th... [ Continue Reading ]
_left_to himself] Comp. 1 Kings 1:6.... [ Continue Reading ]
_are multiplied_ "Or, are in authority," R.V. marg. See Proverbs 29:2, note. _shall see_ SHALL LOOK UPON, R.V., with thoughtful satisfaction. Comp. Psalms 37:34; Psalms 112:8.... [ Continue Reading ]
_vision … law_ "The vision is the actual contact between God and the human spirit, which is the necessary condition of any direct revelation; the law is the recorded result of such a revelation, either passed from mouth to mouth by tradition or written permanently in a book. We may then a little amp... [ Continue Reading ]
_words_ He needs sterner measures. _answer_ i.e. respond in work and action: _give heed_, R.V.; οὐχ ὑπακούσεται, LXX. The Vulg. appears to understand it, as do some commentators, literally he will not even deign to answer you _quia quod dicis intelligit, et respondere contemnit_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Comp. James 1:26.... [ Continue Reading ]
his _son_ The meaning of the word which occurs only here is doubtful (see R.V. marg.), but this is the most probable rendering of it. The Vulg., as referred to in R.V. marg., has _sentiet eum contumacem_, shall have him become refractory. The LXX. give the proverb differently: "He that lives delicat... [ Continue Reading ]
_furious_ Rather, WRATHFUL, R.V. Comp. Proverbs 15:18; Proverbs 28:25.... [ Continue Reading ]
_honour shall uphold_, &c. Rather, HE THAT IS LOWLY IN SPIRIT SHALL OBTAIN HONOUR. _Lowly_is better than _humble_(A.V.) in the second clause, because the Heb. word is from the same root as the word _bring low_, in the first clause. It is substantially the same proverb as that used more than once by... [ Continue Reading ]
_cursing_ Rather, THE ADJURATION, sc. of the judge (Leviticus 5:1), or of the owner of the lost property (Judges 17:2), who puts him on his oath to divulge if he has knowledge of the theft. _bewrayeth_ Rather, UTTERETH, as the same Heb. word is rendered both in A.V. and R.V. in Leviticus 5:1.... [ Continue Reading ]
_shall be safe_ "Heb. _shall be set on high_" (marg. of A.V. and R.V.), as on an inaccessible rock, or in an impregnable fortress. Comp. Proverbs 18:10.... [ Continue Reading ]
_the just_ Rather, THE RIGHTEOUS, R.V.... [ Continue Reading ]