The long exhortation Proverbs 1–9, characterized by the frequent
recurrence of the words “my son,” is of the nature of a preface to
the collection of the “Proverbs of Solomon” Proverbs 10:1. On
Proverbs 1:1, see the introduction to Proverbs.... [ Continue Reading ]
The writer’s purpose is to educate. He is writing what might be
called an ethical handbook for the young, though not for the young
only. Of all books in the Old Testament, this is the one which we may
think of as most distinctively educational. A comparison of it with a
similar manual, the “sayings... [ Continue Reading ]
WISDOM - Not the same word as in Proverbs 1:2; better, perhaps,
thoughtfulness.
JUSTICE - Rather, righteousness. The word in the Hebrew includes the
ideas of truth and beneficence as well as “justice.”
JUDGMENT - The teaching of the Proverbs is to lead us to pass a right
sentence upon human action... [ Continue Reading ]
This verse points out the two classes for which the book will be
useful:
(1) the “simple,” literally the “open,” the open-hearted, the
minds ready to receive impressions for good or evil Proverbs 1:22; and
(2) the “young,” who need both knowledge and discipline.
To these the teacher offers the “su... [ Continue Reading ]
But it is not for the young only that he writes. The “man of
understanding” may gain “wise counsels,” literally, the power to
“steer” his course rightly on the dangerous seas of life. This
“steersmanship,” it may be noted, is a word almost unique to
Proverbs (compare “counsel” in Proverbs 11:14; Pro... [ Continue Reading ]
The book has yet a further scope; these proverbs are to form a habit
of mind. To gain through them the power of entering into the deeper
meaning of other proverbs, is the end kept in view. Compare Matthew
13.
The rendering “interpretation” spoils the parallelism of the two
clauses, and fails to exp... [ Continue Reading ]
The beginning of wisdom is found in the temper of reverence and awe.
The fear of the finite in the presence of the Infinite, of the sinful
in the presence of the Holy (compare Job 42:5), this for the Israelite
was the starting-point of all true wisdom. In the Book of Job 28:28 it
appears as an oracl... [ Continue Reading ]
To the Israelite’s mind no signs or badges of joy or glory were
higher in worth than the garland around the head, the gold chain
around the neck, worn by kings and the favorites of kings Genesis
41:42; Daniel 5:29.... [ Continue Reading ]
The first great danger which besets the simple and the young is that
of evil companionship. The only safety is to be found in the power of
saying “No,” to all such invitations.... [ Continue Reading ]
The temptation against which the teacher seeks to guard his disciple
is that of joining a band of highway robbers. The “vain men” who
gathered around Jephthah Judges 11:3, the lawless or discontented who
came to David in Adullam 1 Samuel 22:2, the bands of robbers who
infested every part of the coun... [ Continue Reading ]
i. e., “We will be as all-devouring as Sheol. The destruction of
those we attack shall be as sudden as that of those who go down
quickly into the pit.” Some render the latter clause, and upright
men as those that go down to the pit. “Pit” here is a synonym for
Sheol, the great cavernous depth, the s... [ Continue Reading ]
The second form of temptation (see Proverbs 1:10 note) appeals to the
main attraction of the robber-life, its wild communism, the sense of
equal hazards and equal hopes.... [ Continue Reading ]
Strictly speaking, this is the first proverb (i. e., similitude) in
the book; a proverb which has received a variety of interpretations.
The true meaning seems to be as follows: “For in vain, to no
purpose, is the net spread out openly. Clear as the warning is, it is
in vain. The birds still fly in.... [ Continue Reading ]
Not robbery only, but all forms of covetousness are destructive of
true life.... [ Continue Reading ]
Wisdom is personified. In the Hebrew the noun is a feminine plural, as
though this Wisdom were the queen of all wisdoms, uniting in herself
all their excellences. She lifts up her voice, not in solitude, but in
the haunts of men “without,” i. e., outside the walls, in the
streets, at the highest poi... [ Continue Reading ]
Compare the Psalms 1:1 note.
(1) The “simple,” literally, “open,” i. e. fatally open to
evil;
(2) the “scorners,” mocking at all good;
(3) lastly, the “fools” in the sense of being hardened, obstinate,
perverse, hating the knowledge they have rejected.... [ Continue Reading ]
The teaching of Divine Wisdom is essentially the same as that of the
Divine Word John 7:38. “Turning,” repentance and conversion, this
is what she calls the simple to. The promise of the Spirit is also
like His John 14:26. And with the spirit there are to be also the
“words” of Wisdom. Not the “spir... [ Continue Reading ]
The threats and warnings of Wisdom are also foreshadowings of the
teaching of Jesus. There will come a time when “too late” shall be
written on all efforts, on all remorse. Compare Matthew 25:10, Matthew
25:30.... [ Continue Reading ]
Compare the marginal reference. The scorn and derision with which men
look on pride and malice, baffled and put to shame, has something that
answers to it in the Divine Judgment. It is, however, significant that
in the fuller revelation of the mind and will of the Father in the
person of the Son no... [ Continue Reading ]
DESOLATION - Better, tempest. The rapid gathering of the clouds, the
rushing of the mighty winds, are the fittest types of the suddenness
with which in the end the judgment of God shall fall on those who look
not for it. Compare Matthew 24:29 etc.; Luke 17:24.... [ Continue Reading ]
This is no arbitrary sentence. The fault was all along their own. The
fruit of their own ways is death.... [ Continue Reading ]
TURNING - Wisdom had called the simple to “turn,” and they had
turned, but it was “away” from her. For “prosperity” read
carelessness. Not outward prosperity, but the temper which it too
often produces, the easy-going indifference to higher truths, is that
which destroys.... [ Continue Reading ]