Bible Commentary (1871–1879 Edition)
Sundry Observations of Moral Virtues, PEOVERBS XXII—XXIV, and of their Contrary Vices.
men, whose courtesies even you will repent of having accepted, evil eye—or purpose (ch. 22.9; Deuteronomy 15.9; Matthew 6.23). The morsel . . words—j. e., disgusted with his true character, all pleas Jint intercourse will be destroyed. 9. (Cf. ch. 9. 8.) " Cast not your pearls," &c. (Matthew 7. 6). 10, 11. (Cf. ch. 22. 22, 23.) Redeemer— or Avenger (Leviticus 25.25, 26; Numbers 35.12), hence Advocate (Job 19.25). plead . . . thee — (Cf. job 31.21; Psalm ;?5. 1 ; 68. 5.) 13. Here begins another series of precepts. 13, 14. While there is little danger that the use of the " Divine ordinance of the rod" will produce bodily harm, there is great hope of spiritual good. 15. 16. The pleasure afforded the teacher by the pupil's progress is a motive to diligence, my reins—(Cf. Psalm 7.9.) 17,18.
brings him to starvation. 36. The sin of covetousness muiivs the sluggard, as the virtue of benevolence the righteous. ii7. God regards tlie heart, and hypocrisy is more odious than open inconsistency, wicked mind— or design (ch. 1.4). 38. (Cf. ch. 19.5.) tliat hearcth—or heeds instruction, and so grows wise. speaketU confaiitly—or sincerely (cf. Habakkuk 1.5), and hence i.s believed (ch. 12. 19; James 1. 19). 39. liardeneth liis face — is obstinate, directeth . . . way— considers it, and acts advisedly. HO, 31. Men's best devices and reliances are vain compared with God's, or without His aid (ch.
19.21; Psalm 20.7; 33.17).
CHAPTER XXII.
(Cf. Margin.) The prosperity of the wicked is short, an end—or liereafter, another time, when apparent inequal-
Ver. 1-29. I. A good name—(Job 30. S, Hebrew.) Good
Is supplied here from Eccleslastes 7. 1. loving favour kind regard, i. e., of the wise and good. 3. Before God all are on the same footing (cli. 14. 31 ; 17. 5). 3. are punlshrd ities .shall be adjusted (cf. Psalm 37. 28-38). 19-31. guide. . , way—or direct thy thoughts to a right course of conduct (cf. ch. 4.4; 9.6). riotous . . . flesh— prodigal, or eating more than necessary. Instead of their Jiesh (cf. Margin), better, "flesh to them," i.e., used for pleasure, drowsiness—the dreamy sleep of the slothful. 33. Hearken i. e., obey (ch. 1.8; Ephesians 6. 1). despise . . . old—adults revere the parents whom, as children, they once obeyed. 33. Buy lit., get (ch. 4.5). truth—gener-
—i.e., for their temerity; for the evil is not necessarily punitive, as the prudent might otherwise be its objects. 4. Iiumillty and the fear of the Lord—are in apposition ; one produces the other. On the results, cf. ch. 3. l(i;
8. 18. 5. lie tliat . . . tlicm—those who properly watch over their own souls are thus preserved from the dangers which attend the way of perverse men (ch. 16. 17). 6. Train—Initiate, or early instruct, the -way—lit., his way, that selected for him in which he should go; for early training secures habitual walking in it. 7. The influence of wealtli sets aside moral distinctions is Implied, and, of course, disapproved (cf. ch. 19. 6; 21. 14, &c.). 8. (Cf. ch.
allj' and specially as opposed to errors of all kinds. 34, 35. (Cf. ch. 10.1; 17.21, 25.) 36-35. A solemn warning against whoredom and drunkenness (Hosea 4. 11). 36. give . . . heart—This is the address of that Divine wisdom so often presented (ch. 8. 1 ; 9. 3, &c.). heart—confidence, observe—or keep, my ways—such as I" teach you (ch. 3. 17; 9.6). 37, 38. deep ditch—a narrow pit, out of which it is hard f*) climb, lieth In wait—to ensnare men into the pit, as hunters entrap game (cf. ch. 22. 14), Increaseth , . . transgressors—(Ch. 5. 8-10.) The vice alluded to is peculiarly hardening to the heart. 39, 30. This picture is often sadly realized now. mixed wine—.
11. 18; Psalm 109. 16-20; Galatians 6.7,8.) the rod . . . fail —his power to do evil will be destroyed. 9. a bountiful rye—t. e., a beneficent disposition, for he giveth . . . poor—liis acts pr(5ve it. 10. Cast out—or drive away, ^corners foster strife by taunts and reviliugs. 11. (Cf. Margin.) piireness of heart— and gentle, kind words win favour, even £i-om kings. 13. preserve—or guard, knowledge—its principles and possessors, overthrow-
(Cf. ch. 9.2; Isaiah 5.11.) 31. when . . . red—the colour denoting greater strength (cf. Genesis 49. 11 ; Deuteronomy etli — utterly confounds and destroys the wicked. 13. Frivolous excuses satisfy the indolent man's conscience.
32. 14). giveth . . . cup lit., gives its eye, i. e., sparkles, moveth . . . aright—perhaps its foaming Is meant. 33. The acute miseries resulting from drunkenness contrasted with the temptations. 33,34. The moral effects: it inflames passion (Genesis 19. 31, 35), lays open the heart, produces insensibility to the greatest dangers, and debars from reformation, under the severest sufferings. 35, awake i. e., from drunkenness (Genesis 9. 24). This is the language rather of acts than of the tongue.
14-. The mouth—or flattering speeches (ch. 5.3; 7.5) ensnare man, as pits, beasts. God makes their own sin their punishment. 15. Is bound—or firmly fixed. Chastisement deters from crime, and so leads to reformation of principle. 16. These two vices pertain to the same selfish feeling, and are both deservedly odious to God, and incur punishment. 17. Here begins another division of the book, marked by those encouragements to tlie pursuit of wisdom, which are found in the earlier chapters.
CHAPTER XXIV. Ver 1-34. 1, 3. (Cf. ch. 23. 3, 17 ; Psalm 37. 1.) studleth— meditateth. talk . . . mischief—their expressed purposes are to do evil. 3, 4. (Cf.-ch. 14. 1; Isaiah 51. 14.) house—including the family, by knowledge . . . rlchea —(Ch. 8. 18; 21. 20.) 5, 6. The general statement (Ecclesiastes 9. 16, 18) is specially illustrated (cf. ch. 21. 22; Psalm
It will be observed that from v. 22 to ch. 24. 12, the proverbs are gcnerally'expressed in two verses instead of one
(cf. Introduction). 18. These lessons must be laid up in the mind, and fitted, or better, fixed in the lips so as to be ever ready. 19. That . . . Lord—This is the design of the instruction. 30. excellent .things—or probably of former tim3s. counsels and knowledge—both advice and instruction. 31. Specially he desires to secure accuracy, so that his pupil may teach others. 33, 33. Here follow ten precepts of two verses each. Though men fail to defend the poor, God will (ch. 17.5; Psalm 12.5). In the gate—place of public gathering (Job 5.4; Psalm G9.
144. 1). 7. (Cf. ch. 14. 16.) in the gate—(Cf. ch. 22. 22.) 8, So called even if he fails to do evil. 9. Same thought varied. 10. Lit., "If thou fail in the day of straits (adversity), strait (or small) Is thy strength," which is then truly tested. 11, 13. Neglect of known duty is sin (James
12). 3*, 2.J. (Cf. ch. 2. 12-15; 4. 14.) a snare . . . soul—the unsuspecting are often misled by bad company. 36, 37.
4. 17). ready [lit., bowing down] to be slain i. e., unjustly. God's retributive justice cannot be avoided by professed ignorance. 13, 14. As delicious food whtts the appetite, so should the rewards of wisdom excite us to seek it. reward—ZiZ., after part, the proper result (cf. ch. 23. 18 ; Psalm
(Cf. ch. 6.1; 17.18.) should he take, &c.—i.e., the creditor. 28. (Cf. ch. 23. 10.) Do not entrench on others (Deuteronomy 19.14; 27.17). 39. Success rewards <iillgence (ch. 10.4; 21.5.) CHAPTER XXIII.
37. 37, 38). 15, 16. The plots of the wicked against the good, though partially, shall not be fully successful (Psalm
37. 24); while the wicked, falling under penal evil, find no help, seven times—often, or many (ch. 6. 16, 31 ; 9. 1). 17, 18. Yet let none rejoice over the fate of evil-doers, lest God punish tlielr wrong spirit by relieving the sufferer (cf. ch.
Ver. 1-35. 1-3. Avoid the dangers of gluttony, put a knife— an Eastern figure for putting restraint on the appetite, are deceitful meat—though well tasted, injurious 4,5. (Cf. 1 Tinjothy 6.9, 10.) thine own wisdom—which regards riches intrinsically a blessing. Wilt
17. 5 ; Job 31. 29). 19, 30. (Psalm 37. 1, 38 ; 18. 28.) candle—' or, prosperity, it shall come to an end (ch. 13. 9; 20. 20). 31, 33. A warning against Impiety and resistance to lawful rule(Romans 13. 1-7; lPeter2. 17). meddle . , . change —(Cf. Margin), lit., mingle yourself, avoid the society of 399. . . eyes—As tlie eyes fly after or seek riches, they are not, i e.. either become transitory or unsatisfying; fully expressed bv their flying away. <>-8. Beware of deceitful