Bible Commentary (1871–1879 Edition) (continued)
Sundry Obsen-athus of Moral Virtues, PROVERBS IX—XI. and of their Contrary VicOt
Btrnclnre (Job 3?. i ; Psalni 2i. 2). 30, 31. one broag Jit up —ail ol)Jeot of sppoial and pleasing regard. The bestowal of wisdom on men is I'epresented by its finding a deliglit-
13; Psalm 35. 19), and rashness of speech. In each case, the results are on the evil-doers. 11. a well—or., source of good to himself and others (John 7. 37, 38). On last clause cf. v. 6. 13. strifes—or, litigations, covereth—by forgiveness and forbearance. 13. In the lips . . . found —hence, not beaten, as the wicked-speaking fool. '<old of understanding—(ch. 6. 32; 7,7.) 14. lay up knowledge— t. e., as treasures for good use. mouth . . . destruction—or, as to the mouth, &c., destruction is near; they expose themselves to evil by prating. 15. Both by trusting in " uncertain riches" (1 Timothy (i. 17), or by the evils of poverty (ch. 30. 9), men, not fearing' God, fall into dangers. 10. The industry of the righteouy in alone truly successful, while the earnings of the wicked tempt and lead to sin. 17. keepeth—observes (ch. 3. 18; 4.22). refuseth—or, turns from reproof, which might direct him aright. 18. Both vices must one day be know.i and punful residence and pleasing God. 33-36. Such an attribute jaen are urged to seek, watcliliig . . . waiting lit., so as to ivatch; wait, denoting a most sedulous attention, slnueth . . . me—or better, missing uie, as opposed to finding. 35. (Cf. Luke 13. 23, 24.) love death— act as if they did (c ch. 17. 9).
CHAPTER IX.
Ver. 1-lS. The commendation of wisdom continued, under the figure of a liberal host, and its. provisions under that of a feast (cf. Luke 14. 10-24). The character of those who are invited is followed by a contrasted description of tlie rejectors of good counsel ; and witli the invitations of wisdom are contrasted the allurement of tlie wicked woman.
islied, and hence their folly. 19. Much speech Involves risk of sin; hence the wisdom of restraining the tongu» (Psalm 39. 1 ; James 1. 26). 30. Right speech is the fruit of a good heart, but the wicked show theirs to be useless. 31. The fool not only fails to benefit others, as do the righteous, but procure tlieir own ruin (cf. v. 11, 17; Plosea
1. liostse—(cf. ch. 8. .34). lier—or, its (the house), seven pillars—tlie number seven for many, or a sufficiency (cli.
G. 31). 3. mSngled— to enhance the flavour (ch. Zi. 30; Isaiah 5. 22). f«i-nis!5ed UL, set out, arranged. 3. maidens—servants to invite (cf. Psalm 68. 11; Isaiah 40. 9).
4. 6). 33. it maketh, &c.—it is empliatic. Riches from God ai-e witliout the sorrow of ill-gotten wealth (cf. Eccleslastes 2. '21-23 ; 1 Timothy 6. 9, 10, 17). 33. Sin is the pleasure of the wicked; wisdom that of the good. 34. it—the very thing. The wicked get dreaded evil; the righteous, desired good. 35. (Cf. Psalm 1. 4; 37. 9, 10, 36.) righteous iiigiie.-.t places—ridges of heights, conspicuous places. 4-G. (Cf. ch. 1. 4; (i. 32.) Wisdom not only supplies right but foi'hiils wrong principles. 7, 8. shame—(Cf. ch. 3. 35.) a blot—or, stain on character. Both terms denote the evil done l>y others to one whose faithfulness secures a wise man's love. 9. Tlie more a wise man learns, the more he loves wisdom. 10. (Cf. ch. 1. 7.) of the Holy. . . foundation—well laid and Arm (Matthew 7. 24, 25). 36. i . e., causes vexation. 37. (Cf. ch. 9. 11; Psalm 55. 23.) 38. gladness—in confidence of realizing it. expectation lit., holies, persons or things, or botli. This knowledge. . . perish—in disappointment. 39. The way, &c. i. e., God's providence sustains the righteous, and overthrows the wicked (Hosea 14. 9). 30. (Cf. ch. 12. 3; Psalm 37. 9-11; gives.riglit perception. 11. (Cf. ch. 3. 16-18; 4. 10.) 13. You are mainly concerned in your own conduct. 13. foolish woiiaaii—or lit., ivornan of foil}/, specially manifested by such as are described, clamorous—or, noisy (ch. 7. 11). knowetii nofiiing lit., knoweth not ivhat, i. e., is riglit and proper. H. on a seat lit,, throne, takes a prominent place, impudently and haughtily. 15, 16. to allure those who are right-minded, and who are addressed as in v. 4, as simple i. e., easily led (ch. 1. 4) and unsettled, thougli willing to do riglit. 17. The language of a proverb, meaning that forbidden delights are sweet and pleasant, as fruits of risk and danger. 18. (Cf. ch. 2. 18, 19 ; 7. 27.)
102. 28.) eartli—or, land of promise. 31. brlngeth foi-th —lit,, germinates as a plant, froward—(Cf. ch. 2. 12, 14). cut olT-as an unproductive plant. 33. known—regard and provide for (Psalm 1. 6). frowardness—all kinds of deceit and ill-nature. The word is plural.
CHAPTER XI.
Ver. 1-31. 1. (Cf. Margin.) The Plebrews used stones for weights. Just—Kjomplete in measure. 3. Self-conceit la unteachable; the humble grow wise (cf. ch. 16. 18 ; 18.12). 3. guide—to lead, as a shepherd (ch. 6. 37; Psalm 78. 52). perverseness— ill-nature, destroy—with violence. 4.
CHAPTER X.
Vev. 1-32. Here begins the second part of the book, chs.
(Cf. ch. 10. 2.) wrath— i. e., of God. 5. direct—or, make plain; wicked ways are not plain (ch. 13. 17). 6. deliver them i. e., from evil, which the wicked suf Ter by their own doings (cli. 5. 22; Psalm 9. 16). 7. expectation . . . perish—for death cuts sliort all his plans (Luke 16. 25). hope of unjust—better, " hope of wealth," or power (cf. Isaiah 40. 29, Hebrciv). This gives an advance on the sentiment of the first clause. Even hopes of gain die with him. 8. Perhaps the trouble prepared by the wicked, and
10.-22. 16, whicli, with the third, ch. 22. 16-ch. 25., contains series of proverlis wliose sense is complete in one or two verses, and whicli, liaving no logical connect ion, admit of no analysis. Tlie parallelism of chs. 10.-15. are mostly antithi'ti(.- ; and those of chs. 16.-22. 16, synthetic. The evidences of art in the structure are very clear, and indicate, jiv()l)al)ly, a purpose of facilitating the labour of menioiiy.ing.
1. wise [and] foolish—as they follow or reject the precepts of wisdom, maketh . . . father—or, gladdens a father, heaviness—or, grief. 3. Treasures . . . nothing —i. e.. Ill-gotten gains give no true happiness (cf. ch. 4. 17; ^lattliew 6. 19). righteousness— especially beneficence (Ps.alm 112. 9). death—the greatest of all evils. 3. (Cf. Psalm 37. 16-20 ) Tlie last clause is better: " He will repel the greedy desires of the wicked." 4. maketh rich—(cf.
wliicli he inherits (cf. v. 6). 9. (Cf. Psalm 35. 16; Daniel 11.
32. ) The just is saved by superior discernment. 10, H. The last may be a reason for the first. Together, they set forth the relative moral worth of good and bad men. By the blessing—implying active benevolence, despiseth or, reviles, a course contrasted witli the prydent silence of the_ wise, holdetu his peace—as if neither hearing nor telling. 13. tale-bearer—(cf. Margin), one trading as a peddler in scandal, whose propensity to talk leads him to betray confidence. 14. counsel—the art of governing
V. 22.) slack— deceitful, failing of its purpose (cf. Hosea
7. Ui). 5. son—as cli. 1. 8, 10, and often. slecpetJi—in indolence, and not for rest, causcth shame lit., is base (cf.
(ch. 1.5). counsellors lit., one giving counsel ; the participle used as .a collective. 15. (Cf. ch. 6. 1.) suretishlp ch. 14. :i>; 17. 2). 6. Blessijigs lit.. Praises. Tlie last clause
Is better : " The mouth of the wicked covereth, or conceal-
(Cf. Margin), the actors put for the action, which may be lawfully hated. 16. retain—or lit., lay hold of as a support. Honour Is to a feeble woman thus as valuable as riches to men. 17. merciful—kind to others; opposed to crueU Such benefit themselves by doing good to others (cf. ch, eth, violence, or mischievous devices," to be executed in due time (Psalm 5. 9; 10. 7; Romans 3. 14), and hence has no praises (cf. v. 11). 7. hlesseil lit., for a blessing, or praise, shall roi— lit., be worm-eaten, useless and disgusting. 8. wise, *c.— (cf. cli. 9. 8, 9, 16), opposed to prating fool—or, fool of lips of wicked language, fall—headlong, suddenly. 9. pei-verteth his way— acts deceitfully, knowndiscovered and punished. 10. Two vices contrasted ; hypocrisy, or Insinuating evil against one (ch. 6.
24. 5), Willie the cruel injure themselves as well <as others, flesh i. e., his body, by penuriousness (C'olossians 2. 23). 18. a deceitful work—or, wages, which fail to satisfy, or flee away (ch. 10 2; 23. 5). sure reward—or, gain, as from