X. 3. A COLLECTION OF 375 SEPARATE VERSES ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS, MARKED BY A NEW HEADING (Proverbs 10:1 to Proverbs 22:16). (1) THE PROVERBS OF SOLOMON. — The new title and different style of composition mark a new collection of proverbs. (See above, in the _Introduction._) Each verse is distinct and... [ Continue Reading ]
TREASURES OF WICKEDNESS — _i.e.,_ gained by wrong-doing. RIGHTEOUSNESS DELIVERETH FROM DEATH. — The Hebrew word translated “righteousness” has a much wider meaning than its English equivalent, which generally bears the sense only of deciding fairly, being especially applied to judges. But a “righteo... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LORD WILL NOT SUFFER THE SOUL OF THE RIGHTEOUS TO FAMISH. — Comp. David’s experience (Psalms 37:25), and the great promise of our Lord to those who “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). (Comp. also below, Proverbs 13:25.) HE CASTETH AWAY THE SUBSTANCE OF THE WICK... [ Continue Reading ]
VIOLENCE COVERETH THE MOUTH OF THE WICKED. — Curses and deeds of violence have proceeded from his mouth, but God frustrates them, they “return unto him void” (Isaiah 55:11), and, as it were, stop his mouth, reducing him to silence.... [ Continue Reading ]
A PRATING FOOL (_‘evîl_). (See above, on Proverbs 1:7.)... [ Continue Reading ]
WALKETH SURELY. — He has no cause to fear lest anything to his discredit should come out, but can trust quietly in the Lord (Psalms 112:7); while he that goeth by crooked paths will be found out (Matthew 10:26), and the fear of this gives him perpetual uneasiness. Or the meaning may be that he will... [ Continue Reading ]
CAUSETH SORROW to the person who is the butt of his ridicule, or against whom his malice is directed.... [ Continue Reading ]
VIOLENCE COVERETH THE MOUTH OF THE WICKED. — If these words are to be taken as in Proverbs 10:6, then the first line must mean that the righteous man speaks to his own profit. But perhaps it will be better here to interpret the second line in the sense of “the mouth of the godless hideth violence,”... [ Continue Reading ]
HATRED STIRRETH UP STRIFES... — Hatred rakes up again old feuds which have slumbered, but love covers up and refuses to look at any wrong done to it. A similar expression occurs in 1 Peter 4:8 and James 5:20, though probably in a somewhat different sense. (See the note on the former passage.)... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MOUTH OF THE FOOLISH IS NEAR DESTRUCTION — _i.e.,_ is a near, ever-threatening calamity; one never knows what awkward or dangerous thing he will not say next: whereas wise men store up knowledge, and bring it forth as it is wanted (Matthew 13:52).... [ Continue Reading ]
THE RICH MAN’S WEALTH IS HIS STRONG CITY — _i.e.,_ an actual protection to him against his enemies, for by it he can get aid; or (as Proverbs 18:11) it gives him the consciousness of power, courage: whereas poverty drags a man down, and prevents his advance in life, or makes him timid, and unable to... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LABOUR OF THE RIGHTEOUS TENDETH TO LIFE. — For the gains of his honest toil have the blessing of God upon them, and so bring him satisfaction of mind and the power of performing his duties in life; whereas all that the wicked man acquires only helps him to sin yet more, by enabling him to indulg... [ Continue Reading ]
ERRETH. — Literally, _committeth error._ This is probably the true sense, and harmonises better with being “in the way of life,” which occurs just before, than the marginal rendering, “causeth to err.” The word occurs in a similar sense in Jeremiah 42:20 (there translated, “ye have dissembled”).... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT HIDETH HATRED... — This would be more correctly translated, “He that hideth hatred is a mouth of falsehood: he that spreadeth slander is a fool” (_khesîl:_ Proverbs 1:22). (For the construction, “he... is a mouth of falsehood,” comp. note on Proverbs 8:30; and for the sentiment, David’s comp... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE MULTITUDE OF WORDS THERE WANTETH NOT SIN, for they are sure to fail in truthfulness, or charity, or opportuneness, and will come under the condemnation of Matthew 12:36, as being the outcome of a careless heart.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LIPS OF THE RIGHTEOUS FEED MANY — _i.e.,_ sustain them by words of counsel, encouragement, and comfort, giving to each one his “meat in due season “(Matthew 24:45). FOOLS. — Headstrong, obstinate persons (Proverbs 1:7). FOR WANT OF WISDOM. — Or it may be translated, “Through one who is destitu... [ Continue Reading ]
AND HE ADDETH NO SORROW WITH IT — whereas riches without God’s blessing bring only trouble with them. Or the passage may mean, “And labour adds nothing thereto.” (Comp. Psalms 127:2. where God is said to give to His beloved while they sleep all that others toil early and late for in vain.)... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT A MAN OF UNDERSTANDING HATH WISDOM. — Rather, _But wisdom_ (_is sport_)_ to a man of understanding, i.e.,_ one rejoices in mischief, the other (comp. Proverbs 8:30) in wise thoughts and deeds.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FEAR OF THE WICKED — _i.e._, that of which he is afraid. (Comp. Isaiah 66:4; Hebrews 10:27.) THE DESIRE OF THE RIGHTEOUS SHALL BE GRANTED. — For they submit their will to the will of God, and pray for what He sees best for them, which accordingly He grants; moreover, the Holy Spirit also aids t... [ Continue Reading ]
AS THE WHIRLWIND PASSETH. — Better, _when the whirlwind,_ &c. (Comp. Wis. 5:14-15; Job 21:18; Matthew 7:24, ff.) Death is ruin to the wicked, and gain to the righteous (2 Timothy 1:12).... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FEAR OF THE LORD PROLONGETH DAYS. — The special Old Testament blessing for obedience (comp. Proverbs 9:11), often fulfilled now, too, in the case of those who live on to old age, in the quiet fulfilment of duty; while others are shortening their lives by excessive anxieties, or the pursuit of pl... [ Continue Reading ]
THE WAY OF THE LORD — _i.e._, in which He has directed men to walk. (Comp. Psalms 25:12; Matthew 22:16; Acts 9:2.) It is a strong protection to the righteous, for no harm can happen to them while they follow it (1 Peter 3:13); _but it is destruction_ (not, there is destruction) _to the workers of in... [ Continue Reading ]
THE RIGHTEOUS SHALL NEVER BE REMOVED. — See above on Proverbs 2:21, and Psalms 37:29. BUT THE WICKED SHALL NOT INHABIT THE EARTH. — Rather, _The godless abide not in the land._ They often have to become vagabonds, like Cain, for their crimes. This, too, was the great punishment threatened by Moses... [ Continue Reading ]
BRINGETH FORTH WISDOM. — As the fields their “increase” (Deuteronomy 32:13); hence words are termed the “fruit of the lips” (Isaiah 57:19). THE FROWARD TONGUE. — See above on Proverbs 2:12. SHALL BE CUT OUT. — Comp. Christ’s warning (Matthew 12:36). Sins of the tongue will be severely judged, beca... [ Continue Reading ]
WHAT IS ACCEPTABLE. — To God and man. (Comp. the gracious words which proceeded out of Christ’s lips, Luke 4:22.) SPEAKETH FROWARDNESS. — Rather, _is mere falsehood, misrepresentation._ (See above on Proverbs 8:30.)... [ Continue Reading ]