XI. (1) A FALSE BALANCE IS ABOMINATION TO THE LORD. — A similar proverb is found in Proverbs 20:23, and praise of just weights, Proverbs 16:11; Proverbs 20:10. The repetition suggests that this form of cheating had become common in the time of Solomon, when the commerce of Israel began to develop.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEN COMETH SHAME. — For they have not the grace of God to keep them from falling. (See above on Proverbs 6:17.)... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PERVERSENESS OF TRANSGRESSORS SHALL DESTROY THEM. — Fraudulent persons (literally, _those who “cover” a matter up_) pervert the truth, thereby ruining their own characters (inasmuch as in time they can hardly distinguish right from wrong), and losing the favour of Almighty God.... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE DAY OF WRATH. — Riches profit in no day of wrath when God “visits” His people to take account of their evil doings; much less will they avail in “the day” (1 Corinthians 3:13). RIGHTEOUSNESS DELIVERETH FROM DEATH. — See above on Proverbs 10:2.... [ Continue Reading ]
SHALL DIRECT HIS WAY. — Or, _make smooth,_ as Proverbs 3:6. The just man by his exact performance of all duty both towards God and man receives more and more light, and therefore continually sees more clearly how to avoid the difficulties that beset his path. The wicked darkens his conscience more a... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THEIR OWN NAUGHTINESS. — Rather, _passionate desire,_ as at Proverbs 10:3. Their own strong passions are their ruin. HIS EXPECTATION. — What he hoped for, worldly prosperity. (Comp. Wis. 5:14.)... [ Continue Reading ]
THE RIGHTEOUS IS DELIVERED OUT OF TROUBLE.... — That is, misfortunes pass by the righteous and fall upon the wicked. (Comp. Proverbs 21:18.) Or, it may mean that the righteous “is taken away from the evil to come “by death (Isaiah 57:1), the wicked lives on to suffer in his place.... [ Continue Reading ]
AN HYPOCRITE. — Rather, _the impure, profane._ THROUGH KNOWLEDGE. — The just, by the knowledge given them by God, shall see through the fraud.... [ Continue Reading ]
BY THE BLESSING OF THE UPRIGHT. — Especially by their prayers, which, like Abraham (Genesis 18:23, _sqq._)_,_ and the Jews of the captivity (Jeremiah 29:7; Ezra 6:10) they offer for those with whom they live. BY THE MOUTH OF THE WICKED — _i.e.,_ by the “cursing, deceit, and fraud” with which his mo... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE MULTITUDE OF COUNSELLORS THERE IS SAFETY — _i.e.,_ where there are plenty to guide the state.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT IS SURETY FOR A STRANGER. — Rather, _for another,_ as Proverbs 6:1. IS SURE. — Rather, _is in quiet,_ undisturbed by the anxieties described in Proverbs 6:3.... [ Continue Reading ]
A GRACIOUS WOMAN RETAINETH HONOUR... — Each sex has its own power. A woman by her attractiveness wins and retains favour, a man by his strength and riches.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MERCIFUL MAN. — Rather, _one who shows love._ (See above on Proverbs 3:3.) Our good and evil deeds return to us in blessings or curses. (Comp. Proverbs 11:25.)... [ Continue Reading ]
WORKETH A DECEITFUL WORK — i.e., which ends in nothing, deceiving his hopes. (Comp. Proverbs 11:7.) BUT TO HIM THAT SOWETH RIGHTEOUSNESS SHALL BE A SURE REWARD. — Rather, _he that soweth righteousness_ (worketh) _a sure reward for himself._ (For “righteousness,” see above on Proverbs 10:2.)... [ Continue Reading ]
AS RIGHTEOUSNESS TENDETH TO LIFE. — Rather, _genuine righteousness tendeth to life. _... [ Continue Reading ]
THOUGH HAND JOIN IN HAND. — For this sense comp. Isaiah 28:15, _sqq._ The passage may also mean “hand to hand,” _i.e.,_ from one generation to another; or, what is most probable, “the hand to it,” _i.e.,_ assuredly. For the general sense of the verse, comp. Psalms 37... [ Continue Reading ]
AS A JEWEL OF GOLD IN A SWINE’S SNOUT. — Rather, _a nose-ring_ run through the right nostril and hanging down over the mouth; a female ornament used from the earliest times (Genesis 24:47; Isaiah 3:21; Ezekiel 16:12), and still worn in the East.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE DESIRE OF THE RIGHTEOUS IS ONLY GOOD, and therefore it, being in accordance with the will of God, is granted to them. THE EXPECTATION OF THE WICKED IS WRATH. — Rather, _presumption;_ they do not ask in the way or for the things which God wills they should (James 4:3), and therefore it is mere p... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE IS THAT SCATTERETH — _i.e._, with bounteous hand (comp. Psalms 112:9), “and yet increaseth” in wealth and blessings (comp. Proverbs 19:17, and the old epitaph, “What we spent, we had; what we saved, we lost; what we gave, we have.”)... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT WITHHOLDETH CORN till it has reached an exorbitant price, “the people shall curse him: but blessing shall be upon the head of him that selleth it” at a fair price. The truth of this is not affected by the fact that the dealer’s selfishness is in the long run beneficial to the community by li... [ Continue Reading ]
PROCURETH FAVOUR. — By the very act of striving after good, he is seeking for the favour of both God and man.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT TRUSTETH IN HIS RICHES SHALL FALL. — Because of their uncertainty, and because they prevent his trusting in the living God (1 Timothy 6:17).... [ Continue Reading ]
HE THAT TROUBLETH HIS OWN HOUSE. — Possibly by his niggardliness and avarice, as Proverbs 15:27. SHALL INHERIT THE WIND. — Will get nothing for his pains. THE FOOL (_‘evîl_)_. — _The self-willed, who will listen to no advice, and so comes to ruin.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FRUIT OF THE RIGHTEOUS IS A TREE OF LIFE. — The righteous, by the performance of his duty to his neighbours, brings, as it were, life and healing (Revelation 22:2) to them, and “the wise man winneth souls,” attracts them to himself, and induces them to follow his example.... [ Continue Reading ]
BEHOLD THE RIGHTEOUS SHALL BE RECOMPENSED IN THE EARTH. — That is, even he shall be punished for his misdeeds, as were Jacob, Moses, David; how much more shall “the wicked and the sinner.” The LXX. translates freely, “If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?... [ Continue Reading ]