1. — INTRODUCTION DESCRIBING THE PURPOSE OF THE BOOK (Proverbs 1:1). (1) PROVERBS. — For the various senses of the Hebrew _mâshâl_ thus translated, see Introduction. SOLOMON. — The absolute quiet and prosperity of the reign of Solomon (the man of peace), as described in 1 Kings 4:20, _sqq.,_ would... [ Continue Reading ]
TO KNOW. — That is, they are written that one may know. The writer in this and the following verses heaps up synonyms with which to bring out the wide purpose of the instruction he offers. WISDOM (_chokhmah_)_. — _The original meaning of this word is “firmness,” “solidity,” having an opinion based... [ Continue Reading ]
TO RECEIVE THE INSTRUCTION OF WISDOM. — To take in, or appropriate, the “discipline” which results in “prudence” (_haskçl_) or practical wisdom; so David “behaved himself wisely” (1 Samuel 18:5). EQUITY. — Literally, _what is straight,_ so true, honest.... [ Continue Reading ]
SUBTILTY (‘_Ormah_). — Used in a bad sense (Exodus 21:14) for “guile.” For the meaning here, comp. Matthew 10:16 : “Be ye wise as serpents;” comp. also the reproof of Luke 16:8, that “the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light;” and St. Paul’s advice to “rede... [ Continue Reading ]
A WISE MAN WILL HEAR. — That is, if he listen to these proverbs. (Comp. Proverbs 9:9.) It is not the young only who will derive profit from them. A MAN OF UNDERSTANDING. — Or rather, _of discernment._ WISE COUNSELS. — Literally, _arts of seamanship: i.e.,_ guiding himself and others aright through... [ Continue Reading ]
INTERPRETATION. — Or an obscure thing which needs interpretation, so corresponding to “dark sayings.” DARK SAYINGS. — Literally _knots,_ intricate sayings, like Samson’s riddle (Judges 14:12).... [ Continue Reading ]
2. — FIFTEEN DIDACTIC POEMS, OR DISCOURSES ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS (Proverbs 1:7 to Proverbs 9:18). (_a_)_ First Discourse:_ — _Against Companionship in Robbery_ (Proverbs 1:7). (7) THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE BEGINNING OF KNOWLEDGE. — The first discourse is prefaced by a distich, which serves as a ke... [ Continue Reading ]
MY SON. — The address as of a master to his pupil. This phrase only occurs twice again in Proverbs, excepting in sections (2) and (4). LAW. — Rather, _teaching._ (Comp. Proverbs 3:1.)... [ Continue Reading ]
ORNAMENT OF GRACE. — Given by Wisdom. (Comp. Proverbs 4:9.) CHAINS ABOUT THY NECK. — The reward of Joseph (Genesis 41:42) and of Daniel (Daniel 5:29).... [ Continue Reading ]
IF SINNERS ENTICE THEE. — A warning against taking part in brigandage, a crime to which Palestine was at all times peculiarly exposed, from the wild character of its formation, and from its neighbourhood to predatory tribes, who would invade the country whenever the weakness of the government gave t... [ Continue Reading ]
WITHOUT CAUSE. — To be taken with “lurk.” Though he has done us no harm.... [ Continue Reading ]
ALIVE. — Comp. the death of Dathan and Abiram (Numbers 16:30).... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THEIR FEET... — The first reason against taking part with them: the horrible nature of the crime they are committing.... [ Continue Reading ]
SURELY IN VAIN... — The second reason: their folly in so doing, for God will bring punishment upon them; in the “same net which they hid privily will their foot be taken “(Psalms 9:15). Even birds are wiser than they. It is useless to spread a net in the sight of any bird.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND THEY LAY WAIT. — Yet they cannot see that in truth they are laying wait, not for the innocent, but for themselves, as God will deliver him, and bring the mischief they designed for him upon their own head.... [ Continue Reading ]
SO ARE THE WAYS... — The conclusion of the discourse. The same phrase occurs in Job 8:13. WHICH TAKETH AWAY... — That is, covetousness takes away the life of him who has this vice in his heart, who is, according to the Hebrew idiom, the “owner” of it. (Comp. similar expressions in Proverbs 22:24; P... [ Continue Reading ]
(b)_ Second Discourse:_ — _Wisdom Addresses her Despisers_ (Proverbs 1:20). (20) WISDOM. — The form of the Hebrew term (_chokhmôth_) has been taken for an abstract singular noun, but probably it is the plural of _chokhmah_ (Proverbs 1:2), signifying the multiform excellences of wisdom. It is possibl... [ Continue Reading ]
CRIETH. — She cannot bear to see sinners rushing madly on their doom. (Comp. Christ’s weeping over Jerusalem, Luke 19:41; and Romans 9:2, _sqq_; Philippians 3:18, _sqq._)... [ Continue Reading ]
HOW LONG... — Three classes of persons are here addressed: (1) _simple_ ones, open to good influences, but also to evil (Proverbs 1:4); (2) _scorners_ (_lçtsîm_)_,_ men who despised what was holy, priding themselves on their cleverness in so doing (Proverbs 14:6), who avoided the wise, and held them... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL POUR OUT MY SPIRIT UNTO YOU. — Comp. the prophecy of Joel 2:28, promised by our Lord (John 7:38), and fulfilled at Pentecost (Acts 2:17). I WILL MAKE KNOWN MY WORDS UNTO YOU. — For a similar promise that God’s will shall be revealed to those who fear and follow Him, comp. Psalms 25:14 : “The... [ Continue Reading ]
BECAUSE I HAVE CALLED. — Wisdom’s call having been rejected, she now changes her tone from “mercy” to “judgment” (Psalms 101:1). (Comp. Romans 10:21 : “All day long I have stretched forth my hands,” &c.)... [ Continue Reading ]
I ALSO WILL LAUGH... I WILL MOCK. — For expressions like this, comp. Psalms 2:4; Psalms 37:13; Psalms 59:8, where the same actions are attributed to God. They are not to be taken literally, of course, for the sight of human folly can give no pleasure to Him. They signify that He will act as if He mo... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN SHALL THEY CALL UPON ME. — They did not call upon Him in an “acceptable time,” in “a day of salvation” (Isaiah 49:8), while He was “near” (Isaiah 55:6); so at last the master of the house has “risen up, and shut-to the door” (Luke 13:25), and will not listen to their cries. THEY SHALL SEEK ME... [ Continue Reading ]
THE TURNING AWAY OF THE SIMPLE... — _i.e.,_ from God. (Comp. Jeremiah 2:19.) PROSPERITY OF FOOLS — _i.e.,_ the security, apathy of dull, stupid people (_khesîlîm_)_,_ who cannot believe that God will fulfil His threatenings. (Comp. Psalms 73 throughout.)... [ Continue Reading ]
SHALL DWELL SAFELY... — Comp. Psalms 37 throughout for similar promises. SHALL BE QUIET FROM FEAR OF EVIL — Comp. Ps. cxii 7: “He shall not be afraid of any evil tidings,” &c... [ Continue Reading ]