Bible Commentary (1871–1879 Edition)
Sundry Obervaiinni; of Moral Virtues, PEOVERBS XII—XIV. and of their Contrary Victt trailing (Hosca 10. 12; Galatians 6. 8, 9). 19. Inference from V. 18 (cf. v. o, (>; cli. 10. 16). ao. (Cf. v. 5.) froward— RS ch. 2. 15, opposed to the simplicity and purity of tlie vpcourse, to which, with all its evils and dangers to others and themselves, the happiness of peace-makers is opposed
(cf. Matthew .5. 9; Romans 12. 18). 21. no evil—(as Psaltl.
rifjlit. ill tlielr wny—or, conduct. 31. The combined power of the wiclced cannot free tliem from jast punishment, wliife tlie unaided children of the righteous find deliverance by reason of their pious relationship (Psalm
91. 10), under God's wise limitations (Romans 8. 28). mischief—as penal evil. 23. deal truly— or, faithfully, i. e., according to promises (cf. John 3. 21). 33. concealeth—by his modesty (ch. 10. 14; 11. 13). heart . . . proelaimeth— as his lips speak his thoughts (cf. Ecclesiastes 10.3). 24. slot Jiful—(cf. Margin), so called because lie fails to meet his promises, under tribute—not denoting legal taxes, but the obligation of dependence. 25. a good wordone of comfort. 36. more excellent—(cf. Margin), or, more successful, while the wicked fail; or, we may read it: "The righteous guiiles his friend, but," Ac, i. e.. The ability of the righteous to aid others is contrasted with the ruin to which the way of the wicked leads themselves. 37. (Cf. V. 24.) took In hunting—or, his venison. He does not improve his advantages, the substance . . . precious—or, the wealth of a man of honour is being diligent, or diligence, precious— honour (Ecclesiastes lt>,
37. 2.5, 2«). 'Z-Z. Jewels were often suspended from the nose (Genesis 'U. 47; Isaiah .S. 21). Thus adorned, a hog disgusts less than a fair and indi.screet woman. 23. (Cf. ch. 10. 28.) The wrath is that of God. 24-31. The scope of the whole is a comment on x\ 2'!. Thus liberality {v. 21), by God's blessing, secures increase, while penuriousness. Instead of expected gain, procures poverty. 35. liberal soul—(Cf. M'lryin.) made faJ—prospers (ch. 28. 25; Deuteronomy 32.
15; Luketj. O.S). \vatcretli . . . watered—a common figure lor blessing. 3(>. Ahotlier example of the truth of D. 23; the miser loses reputation, though he saves corn, soiletli It— ('. e., at a (air price. 27. g;ood [and] misc Jilef—i. c, of others. proeiirctU . . . sccketli—implying success. 28.
1). 28. (Cf. ch. 8. 8, '20, &c.) A sentiment often stated; here first aflirmatively, then negatively.
(Cf. ch. IQ. 15; Psalm 19. 6; 1 Timothy 6. 17.) rigl Ueoiis . . . braiicU—(P.salm 1. 3; Jeremiah 17. 8.) 29. ti-oubletli—as ch. 1). 27 explains, by greediness for gain (cf. v. 17). Inherit . . . wind—even succes.sful, his gains are of no real value. So the fool, tlms acting, either comes to poverty, or heaps up for others. 30. a tree of life—blessings to othei's proceed from the works of the righteous (ch. 3. 18). wiiiiietli souls—(Cf. Margin), to do them good as opposed to ch.G. 25; Ezekiel 13.18 (cf. Luke 5.10). 31. BeJiold— Thus calling attention to the illustrations (cf. v. 23), the sentiment of which is confirmed even in time, not ex Clud'iig future rewards and punishments.
CHAPTER XIII.
Ver. 1-25. 1. (Cf. ch. 6. 1-5; 10. 1, 17.) 2. sliall eat—i.e., obtain (ch. 12. 14). transgressors—as ch. 2. '22. violence or, mischief to themselves. 3. He . . . moutli . . . life Because evil speeches may provoke violence from others. On last clause cf. ch. 10. 14. 4. (Cf. ch. 12. 11, 27.) 5. loatlisome . . . shame—better, causeth shame and reproach
(cf. ch. 19. 26), by slander, &c., which the righteous hates. 6. A sentiment of f requent recurrence, that piety benefits, and sin Injures. 7. In opposite ways men act hypocritically for gain of honour or wealth. 8. Riches save some from punishment, while others suffer because they will not heed the rebuke of sloth, which makes and keeps them poor. 9. light [and] lami>—prosperity ; the first, the greater, and It rejoiccth—or, burns brightly, or continues, wli'ile the other, at best small, soon fails. 10. The obstinacy which attends self-conceit, produces contention, which the well-advised, thus evincing .modesty, avoid. 11. by vanity—or, nothingness, i.e., which is vain or useless to the public (as card playing or similar vices), gathereth . . . labour—(cf. Margin), little by
CHAPTEE XII. Ver. 1-2S. 1. lovetli knowledge—as the fruit of instruction or training (ch 1. 2). Iiateth reproof—(Ch. 10. 17.) bnitlsU—stupid, regardless of his own welfare (Psalm 49.
10; 73. 22). 3. Wickedness cacoot give permanent prosperity, root . . . not be moved—firm as a flourishing tree-(Psalm 1.3; 15.5; Jeremiah 17.8). 4. a -virtuous woman—in the wide sense of well disposed to all moral duties (ch. 31. 10). malteth ashamed i.,e., by misconduct, rottenness—an incurable evil. 5. thoughts—or, purposes, are rigiit lit., are judgment, i. e., true decisions, counsels—(Cf. cli. 11. 11.) deceit—contrary to truth and honesty. 6. The words—or, expressed designs of the wicked are for evil purposes, the month—or, words of the righteous delivering instead of ensnaring men. 7. Such conduct brings a proper return, by the destruction of the wicked and well-being of the righteous and his family. 8. despised—as opposed to commended (ch. 11.
little, laboriously. 13. desire comcth—is realized. atre« of life—or, cause of happiness. 13. tlie word i.e., of advice, or, instruction (cf. ch. 10. 27; 11. 31). 14. (Cf! ch. 10.
11.) fountain—or, source of life, to depart—(cf. ch. 1. 2-4), or, for departing, &c., and so gives life. 15. Right perception and action secure good will, while evil ways are difficult as a stony road. The wicked left of God find punishment of sin in sinning, hard—or, harsh (cf. {Hebrew) Deuteronomy 21.4; Jeremiah 5.15). 16. dealeth—acts with foresight, a fool . . . folly—for want of caution. 17. A wicked [or, unfaithful] messenger falleth into—or, by mischief, or evil, and so his errand fails. Contrasted is the character of the faithful, whose faithfulness benefits others. 18. (Cf. ch. 10,17; 12.1.) 19. Self-denial, which fools will not endure, is essential to success. 20. The benefits of good and evils of bad society are contrasted. 21. (Cf. ch. 11. 31.) good . . . repaid—or. He ((3od) will repay good. 22. wealth . . . just—while good men's estates I'emain in their families, God so orders tliat the gains of sinners enure to the just (cf. ch. 28. 8; Psalm 37.
12). perverse heart—or, wicked principles, as opposed to one of wisdom. 9. despised—held in little repute, obscure
(1 Samuel 18. 23; Isaiah 3. 5). hath a servant—implying some means of honest living, honoureth himself—is self-conceited. 10. regardeth lit., knoweth (Psalm 1.6). mercies . .. . cruel—as acts of compassion ungraciously rendered to the needy. The righteous more regards a beast than the wicked a man. 11. The idler's fate is the result of indolence and want of principle (ch. 6. 32; 7. 7). 12. the wicked . . . evil—They love the crafty arts of deception, the root . . . (fruit)—their own resources supply them; or, it may be rendered: "He (God) giveth, or sets (Ezekiel 17. 22) the root of the righteous," and hence
It is linn : or, the verb is impersonal; "As to the root, &c., it Is firm" (ch. 17.19). 13, 14. The sentiment expanded. While the wicked, such as liars, flatterers, &c.,
18, 22, 26, &c.). 23. The labouring poor prosper more than those who injudiciously or wickedly strive, by fraud and violence, to supersede the necessity of lawful labour. 34, spareth—or, withholds, rod—of correction, hateth—or, acts as if he hated him (cf. ch. 3. 12; 8.36). chasteneth fall by their own words, the righteous are unliurt. Their good conduct makes friends, and God rewards them. 15. The way . . . eyes—The fool, is self-conceited (cf. t). 1 ; ch.
. . . betimes—or, diligently seeks for him all useful discipline. 35. The comparative temporal prosperity of the righteous and wicked, rather than contentment and discontent, is noted.
1. 32; 10. 17; James 3. 17). 16. prudent . . . shame—he is slow to denounce his insulters (James 1. 19). 18. speaketh —lit., speaketh ha/slily, or indiscreetly (Psalm 108. 33), as an angry man retorts harsh and provoking invectives, tongue . . . healtli—by soothing and gentle language. 19. Words of truth are consistent, and stand all tests, while lies are soon discovered and exposed. 20. that Imagine—or, plan' (ch. 3. 29). They design a deceitful
CHAPTER XIV.
Ver. 1-35. 1. Every wise, <fec. lit., J7ie wisdoms (cf. ch.
9. 1) (tf women, plural, a distributive form of speech, hulld* 395