CHAPTER XXV _A new series of Solomon's proverbs. God's glory in mysteries._ _Observations concerning kings. Avoid contentions. Opportune_ _speech. The faithful ambassador. Delicacies to be sparingly_ _used. Avoid familiarity. Amusements not grateful to a_ _distressed mind. Do good to your enemi... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 25:2. It is _THE GLORY OF GOD TO CONCEAL A THING_] This has been understood as referring to the revelation of God's will in his word, where there are many things concealed in _parables,_ _allegories, metaphors, similitudes_, c. And it is becoming the majesty of God so to publish his... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 25:3. _THE HEAVEN FOR HEIGHT_] The simple meaning of this is, the _reasons of state_, in reference to many acts of the _executive_ _government_, can no more be fathomed by the _common people_, than the _height of the heavens_ and the _depth of the earth_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 25:4. _TAKE AWAY THE DROSS FROM THE SILVER_] You cannot have a _pure_ silver vessel till you have purified the silver; and no nation can have a king a public blessing till the _wicked_ - all bad counsellors, wicked and interested ministers, and sycophants - are banished from the court... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 25:7. _COME UP HITHER_] Our Lord refers to this, see Luke 14:8, and the notes there. Be humble; affect not high things; let those who are desperate climb dangerous precipices; keep thyself quiet, and thou shalt live at ease, and in peace. Hear the speech of a wise _heathen_ on this su... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 25:8. _GO NOT FORTH HASTILY TO STRIVE_] לרב _lerib_, to enter into a _lawsuit_. Keep from this _pit of the bottomless deep_, unless urged by the direst necessity.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 25:9. _DEBATE THY CAUSE WITH THY NEIGHBOUR_] Take the advice of friends. Let both sides attend to their counsels; but do not tell the _secret_ of thy business to any. After squandering your money away upon lawyers, both _they_ and the _judge_ will at last leave it to be settled by _tw... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 25:11. _A WORD FITLY SPOKEN_] על אפניו _al ophannaiv, upon its_ _wheels_. An observation, caution, reproof, or advice, that _comes in_ _naturally, runs_ smoothly along, is not _forced_ nor _dragged_ in, that appears to be without _design_, to rise out of the conversation, and though p... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 25:12. _AS AN EAR-RING OF GOLD_] I believe נזם _nezem_ to mean the _nose-ring_ with its _pendants_; the left nostril is pierced, and a ring put through it, as in the ear. This is very common in almost every part of the East, among women of condition. This is a farther illustration of... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 25:13. _AS THE COLD OF SNOW_] That _snow_ was frequent in _Judea_, is well known; and that in the East they have _snow-houses_-places dug under ground, where they lay up snow for _summer_ use - is also a fact. By means of the mass of snow deposited in them the icy temperature is kept... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 25:14. _A FALSE GIFT_] מתת שקר _mattath shaker, a lying gift_, one _promised_, but never _bestowed_. "Whoso maketh greate boastes, and giveth nothing;" COVERDALE. SO the VULGATE: "Vir gloriosus, et promissa non complens;" "A bragging man, who does not fulfil his promises," is like _cl... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 25:15. _A SOFT TONGUE BREAKETH THE BONE._] This is similar to another proverb on the same subject: "A soft answer turneth away wrath." An _angry_ word does nothing but _mischief_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 25:16. _HAST THOU FOUND HONEY?_] Make a moderate use of all thy enjoyments. "Let thy moderation be known unto all, and appear in all things.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 25:17. _WITHDRAW THY FOOT_] Another proverb will illustrate this: "Too much familiarity breeds contempt.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 25:20. _AS VINEGAR UPON NITRE_] The original word נתר _nather_ is what is known among chemists as the _natron_ of the ancients and of the Scriptures, and _carbonate of soda_. It is found native in _Syria_ and _India_, and occurs as an _efflorescence on the soil_. In _Tripoli_ it is f... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 25:21. _IF THINE ENEMY BE HUNGRY_] See this and the next verse explained, Romans 12:20.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 25:22. _THOU SHALT HEAP COALS OF FIRE UPON HIS HEAD_] Not to _consume_, but to melt him into kindness; a metaphor taken from smelting metallic ores: - So artists melt the sullen ore of lead, By _heaping coals of fire upon its head_: In the _kind warmth_ the metal learns to _glow_,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 25:23. _THE NORTH WIND DRIVETH AWAY RAIN_] The _margin_ has, "The north wind bringeth forth rain." It is said that the "north wind brings forth rain at Jerusalem, because it brings with it the vapours arising from the sea that lies north of it." The marginal is the _true reading_; and... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 25:24. IT IS _BETTER TO DWELL IN A CORNER_] Proverbs 21:9.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Proverbs 25:27. IT IS _NOT GOOD TO EAT MUCH HONEY_] _Coverdale_ translates the whole passage thus: "Like as it is not good to eat to muche hony; even so, he that wyll search out hye thinges, it shal be to hevy for him." _As he that etith myche honye, and it is not to him_ _goode; so, that is a... [ Continue Reading ]