Proverbs 23:1
XXIII. (1) CONSIDER DILIGENTLY WHAT IS BEFORE THEE, — Rather, _Who is before thee;_ that thy host is not an equal, but one who, if offended, might do thee deadly harm.... [ Continue Reading ]
XXIII. (1) CONSIDER DILIGENTLY WHAT IS BEFORE THEE, — Rather, _Who is before thee;_ that thy host is not an equal, but one who, if offended, might do thee deadly harm.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND PUT A KNIFE TO THY THROAT. — Use the strongest methods to keep thine appetite in check, if thou art likely to give way to it, and then, overcome by meat and drink, to say or do anything to offend thy host.... [ Continue Reading ]
DECEITFUL MEAT. — Not offered out of friendship and love to thee; for an unguarded word spoken in the insecurity of the festive hour might bring ruin to thee.... [ Continue Reading ]
CEASE FROM THINE OWN WISDOM. — Cleverness shewn in piling up wealth.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY FLY AWAY. — Rather, _As an eagle that flieth toward heaven,_ far beyond thy reach.... [ Continue Reading ]
HIM THAT HATH AN EVIL EYE. — A sordid, grudging temper.... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR AS HE THINKETH IN HIS HEART, SO IS HE. — He is not really friendly and hospitable, as his words would imply, but he grudges every morsel thou takest, calculating its cost.... [ Continue Reading ]
SHALT THOU VOMIT UP. — Shalt be disgusted at having partaken of hospitality which was not freely offered to thee. AND LOSE THY SWEET WORDS. — All thy civil speeches and thanks for the cold welcome thou hast had.... [ Continue Reading ]
SPEAK NOT IN THE EARS OF A FOOL. — Do not waste thy time in explaining matters to him. A FOOL. — A dull, stupid person. (Comp. Proverbs 1:22.)... [ Continue Reading ]
REMOVE NOT THE OLD LANDMARK. — See above, on Proverbs 22:28.... [ Continue Reading ]
THEIR REDEEMER IS MIGHTY. — They may have no near kinsman (Leviticus 25:25) to redeem their land, yet they have a mighty Deliverer (Exodus 6:6), who will redress their wrongs.... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SHALL NOT DIE — _i.e.,_ a moderate correction, such as that advised in Proverbs 19:18 (see note), will not injure him — quite the reverse.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND SHALT DELIVER HIS SOUL FROM HELL — _i.e.,_ Hades, the abode of the dead (Isaiah 14:9), death being the punishment of sin, and long life the reward of well-doing (Proverbs 3:2).... [ Continue Reading ]
MY REINS SHALL REJOICE. — These being represented in Hebrew poetry as the seat of the deepest affections, answering to “heart” in Proverbs 23:15. (Comp. Psalms 7:9; Jeremiah 12:2; Revelation 2:23.)... [ Continue Reading ]
An end, which shall be peace (Psalms 37:37), corresponding to the “manifestation of the sons of God “(Romans 8:19), when we shall be “like” God (1 John 3:2).... [ Continue Reading ]
HEAR THOU, MY SON, whatever others may do. (Comp. above, on Proverbs 22:19.) GUIDE THINE HEART IN THE WAY. — That is, of God. (Comp. Isaiah 40:3, and note on Acts 9:2.)... [ Continue Reading ]
DROWSINESS, that follows after such debauches.... [ Continue Reading ]
BUY THE TRUTH, AND SELL IT NOT. — The “truth” is here described under the three heads of wisdom, self-discipline, and understanding. (See above, on Proverbs 1:2.) All these are to be obtained from God (James 1:5), who gives to every man “liberally,” “without money and without price” (Isaiah 55:1). ... [ Continue Reading ]
MY SON, GIVE ME THINE HEART. — For that is the one gift alone worthy of acceptance which man can offer to God, and the only one which God will accept; an offering which man endeavours to keep for himself, substituting for it alms, unreal prayers, outward observances of religion, and obedience in mat... [ Continue Reading ]
STRANGE WOMAN (_nokhriyyah_)_. — See_ above, on Proverbs 2:16.... [ Continue Reading ]
INCREASETH THE TRANSGRESSORS (faithless) AMONG MEN. — This vice being the fruitful source of faithlessness both towards man and God.... [ Continue Reading ]
WOUNDS WITHOUT CAUSE? — Which might have been avoided, and which serve no good end. REDNESS OF EYES? — Rather, _dimness. _... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY THAT GO TO SEEK MIXED WINE. — Or, _To test;_ to see whether it is to their taste. The wines of the ancients were not generally drunk pure, but diluted with water or flavoured with spices. (See above on Proverbs 9:2.)... [ Continue Reading ]
WHEN IT GIVETH ITS COLOUR. — Or _sparkles._ WHEN IT MOVETH ITSELF ARIGHT. — Or, _when it glides easily_ down the throat.... [ Continue Reading ]
THINE EYES SHALL BEHOLD STRANGE WOMEN. — _i.e._, look out for them, impurity being the constant attendant of drunkenness. Or, the word may be translated “strange things,” referring to the strange fancies of a drunkard, the horrible and fantastic visions present to his disordered brain. PERVERSE THI... [ Continue Reading ]
AS HE THAT LIETH DOWN IN THE MIDST OF THE SEA. — And so would inevitably be drowned if he trusted to its smooth, glassy appearance. AS HE THAT LIETH UPON THE TOP OF A MAST. — Whom every roll of the ship might hurl into the waves. The absolute insensibility of the drunkard to danger is here describe... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY HAVE STRICKEN ME, AND I WAS NOT SICK. — The drunken man feels no blows or ill usage. WHEN SHALL I AWAKE? — He longs to rouse himself from his slumber that he may return to his debauch.... [ Continue Reading ]