Proverbs 24:26

Every man shall kiss his lips, &c.— See Genesis 41:40 in the margin of our bibles. The Egyptian translators of the LXX seem to have understood this verse in much the same sense as the passage referred to; Lips shall kiss those things which answer right words; "Shall kiss those writings by which a judge giveth just decisions." Solomon seems to be speaking of a dignified judge, as the preceding words lead us to suppose; for they express the effects which just or unjust judgments should have on the people: Proverbs 24:23. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment: Proverbs 24:24. He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous, i.e. He who absolveth the guilty, him shall the people curse, &c. He that giveth a right answer then, in this verse, is apparently the description of a judge who pronounces right judgments on those causes which are brought before him to trial; and this kissing, agreeably to all that precedes, must refer to the people, the nation, not to the king for whom he judges. I do not, however, know whether a still more unexceptionable interpretation may not be proposed. The rescripts of authority were wont to be kissed, whether they were believed to be just or not, except in cases where persons assumed something of independence; nay, the letters of people of figure were treated after this manner by persons over whom they had no authority, and who knew not the contents of them, merely because they were letters of people of figure. It is possible, therefore, that these words may rather refer to another eastern custom which D'Arvieux gives an account of in his description of the Arabs of mount Carmel, who, when they present any petition to their Emir for a favour, offer their billets to him with their right hands, after having first kissed the papers. The Hebrew manner of expression is short, and proverbs have a peculiar shortness; Every lip shall kiss, one maketh to return a right answer; that is, "Every one "shall be ready to present the state of his case, kissing it as he delivers it, when there is a judge whose decisions are celebrated for their being equitable. So another of these apothegms of Solomon is delivered with something of the like turn of expression. A crown of glory the hoary head, in the way of righteousness it shall be found; that is, "The hoary head is a crown of glory, when it is found in the way of righteousness." See the Observations, p. 259.