---
title: "Clarke"
description: "Verse Proverbs 25:1. These are also proverbs of Solomon — In my old MS. Bible, this verse concludes the preceding chapter. It seems that the remaining par"
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---

Verse [Proverbs 25:1](../../../kjv/proverbs/25/1). ***These*****are*****also proverbs of Solomon*** — In my old MS. Bible, this verse concludes the preceding chapter. It seems that the remaining part of this book contains proverbs which had been collected by the order of King Hezekiah, and were added to the preceding book as a sort of supplement, having been collected from traditionary sayings of Solomon. And as the men of Hezekiah may mean *Isaiah, Shebna*, and other *inspired* men, who lived in that time, we may consider them as of equal authority with the rest, else such men could not have united them to the sacred book. The chronological notes in the margin of this and the five following chapters denote the time when the proverbs contained in them were collected together in the reign of Hezekiah, about *two hundred and* *seventy years* after the death of Solomon.

Verse [Proverbs 25:2](../../../kjv/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 will, that it must be *seriously* *studied* to be understood, in order that the truth may be more prized when it is discovered. And if it be God's glory thus partially to conceal his purposes, it is the glory of a king to search and examine this word, that he may understand how by Him kings reign and princes decree judgment. *Prophecies* are partially concealed and we cannot fully know their meaning till their accomplishment; and then the *glory of God's wisdom* and *providence* will be more particularly evident, when we see the event correspond so particularly and exactly with the *prediction*. I know not, however, that there are not matters in the Book of God that will not be fully opened till mortality is swallowed up of life. For here we see through a glass darkly; but *there*, face to face: *here* we know in part; but *there* we shall know as we also are known.
On this subject I cannot withhold an extract of a letter sent to myself, by a *royal* and *learned* personage.*
* His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex.
"As far as I have presumed to dive into and occupy myself with the sacred volumes, I feel satisfied of their Divine origin and truth. And I am satisfied, likewise, that they contain more matter than any one, and myself in particular, can ever aspire fully to understand. This belief, however, ought in nowise to slacken our diligence, or damp our ardour, in attempting a constant pursuit after the attainment of knowledge and truth; as we may flatter ourselves, although unable to reach the *gate*, we are still approaching nearer to its portals, which of itself is a great blessing." This sentiment will be approved by every pious and enlightened mind.

Verse [Proverbs 25:3](../../../kjv/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*.

Verse [Proverbs 25:4](../../../kjv/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 and cabinet. When the *wise* and *good* only are the king's ministers and advisers, then the throne will be established in righteousness, and his administration be a universal blessing.

Verse [Proverbs 25:7](../../../kjv/proverbs/25/7). ***Come up hither*** — Our Lord refers to this, see [Luke 14:8](../../../kjv/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 subject: -
Quid fuit, ut tutas agitaret Daedalus alas;
Icarus immensas nomine signet aquas?
Nempe quod hic alte, dimissus ille volabat.
Nam pennas ambo nonne habuere suas?
Crede mihi; bene qui latuit, bene vixit; et infra
Fortunam debet quisque manere suam.
Vive sine invidia; mollesque inglorius annos
Exige: amicitias et tibi junge pares.
OVID, *Trist*. lib. iii., El. 4, ver. 21.

"Why was it that Daedalus winged his way safely, while *Icarus* his son fell, and gave name to the Icarian sea? Was it not because the son flew aloft, and the father skimmed the ground? For both were furnished with the same kind of wings. Take my word for it, that he who lives privately lives safely; and every one should live within his own income. Envy no man; pray for a quiet life, though it should not be dignified. Seek a friend, and associate with thy equals."

Verse [Proverbs 25:8](../../../kjv/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.

Verse [Proverbs 25:9](../../../kjv/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 *twelve* of your fellow citizens! O the folly of going to law! O the blindness of men, and the rapacity of unprincipled lawyers!
On this subject I cannot but give the following extract from Sir *John Hawkins's* Life of Dr. Johnson, which he quotes from Mr. *Selwin*, of London: "A man who deliberates about going to law should have,
1. A good cause;
2. A good purse;
3. A good skilful attorney;
4. Good evidence;
5. Good able counsel;
6. A good upright judge;
7. A good intelligent jury; and with all these on his side, if he have not,
8. *Good luck*, it is odds but he miscarries in his suit." O the glorious uncertainty of the law!

Verse [Proverbs 25:11](../../../kjv/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 particularly relative to *one point*, will appear to the company to suit all.
**Is like*****apples of gold in pictures of silver.*** — Is like the refreshing *orange* or beautiful *citron*, served up in *open work* or *filigree baskets*, made of *silver*. The Asiatics excel in *filigree* *silver work*. I have seen much of it, and it is exquisitely beautiful. The silver wire by which it is done they form into the appearance of numerous *flowers*; and though these wires are *soldered* everywhere at their junctions with each other, yet this is done with such *delicacy* and *skill* as to be scarcely perceptible. I have seen *animals* formed on this *filigree* work, with all *their limbs*, and every *joint* in its *natural play*. *Fruit-baskets* are made also in this way, and are exquisitely fine. The wise man seems to have this kind of work particularly in view; and the contrast of the *golden yellow fruit* in the exquisitely wrought *silver basket*, which may be all termed *picture* *work*, has a fine and pleasing effect upon the *eye*, as the contained *fruit* has upon the *palate* at an entertainment in a sultry climate. So the word spoken judiciously and opportunely is as much in its place, as the *golden apples* in the *silver baskets*.

Verse [Proverbs 25:12](../../../kjv/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 the above metaphor.

Verse [Proverbs 25:13](../../../kjv/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 up, so that the snow is easily preserved. The *common method of cooling their wine*, which is as *easy* as it is *effectual*, is by dipping a cloth in *water*, wrapping it round the *bottle*, and then hanging the bottle in the *heat of the sun*. The strong *evaporation* carries off the *caloric* from the wine, and the repetition of the wet cloth in the same exposure, makes the wine almost as cold as *ice*.
How agreeable this must be in a burning climate, may be easily conceived. Perhaps it is this to which the wise man refers; for it is a fact that they could have no *snow in harvest*, unless such as had been *preserved* as mentioned above; but this could be only in a *few places*, and within the reach of a *very few persons*. But cooling their liquors by the *simple mode of evaporation* already explained, was within the reach even of the *labourers in the* *harvest field*. I think the text favours this supposition; for *ketsinnerth sheleg*, need not be referred to *snow itself* procuring cold, but to a *coldness like that of snow*, procured by *evaporation*. If this interpretation be allowed, all difficulty will be removed.

Verse [Proverbs 25:14](../../../kjv/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 *clouds* which appear to be laden with vapour, and like the *wind* which, though it blow from a rainy quarter, brings no moistness with it. So the vain boaster; he is big with promise, but performs nothing.

Verse [Proverbs 25:15](../../../kjv/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*.

Verse [Proverbs 25:16](../../../kjv/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."

Verse [Proverbs 25:17](../../../kjv/proverbs/25/17). ***Withdraw thy foot*** — Another proverb will illustrate this: "Too much familiarity breeds contempt."

Verse [Proverbs 25:20](../../../kjv/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 found in *crystalline incrustations* of from one third to half an inch thick. It is found also in solution in the water of some lakes in *Egypt* and *Hungary*. The borders of these lakes are covered with crystalline masses, of a grayish white or light brown colour; and in some specimens the *natron* is nearly *pure carbonate of soda*, and the *carbonate* is easily discovered by *effervescing* with an *acid*. It appears to have its Hebrew name from נתר *nathar*, to *dissolve* or *loosen*: because a solution of it in water is *abstersive*, taking out *spots*, c. It is used in the East for the purposes of *washing*. If *vinegar* be poured on it, Dr. Shaw says a *strong fermentation* immediately takes place, which illustrates what Solomon says here: "The singing of songs to a heavy heart is like vinegar upon natron:" that is, "there is no *affinity* between them and opposition, colluctation, and strife, are occasioned by any attempt to unite them."
*And poureth vyneger upon chalke*. - COVERDALE. This also will occasion an *effervescence*. See [Jeremiah 2:22](../../../kjv/jeremiah/2/22).

Verse [Proverbs 25:21](../../../kjv/proverbs/25/21). ***If thine enemy be hungry*** — See this and the next verse explained, [Romans 12:20](../../../kjv/romans/12/20).

Verse [Proverbs 25:22](../../../kjv/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*,
And *pure from dross* the *silver* runs *below*.
S. WESLEY.

Verse [Proverbs 25:23](../../../kjv/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 is supported by the *Chaldee, Syriac*, and *Septuagint*; but the *Arabic* reads *south wind*.
***A backbiting tongue*** — A *hidden tongue*.

Verse [Proverbs 25:24](../../../kjv/proverbs/25/24). **It is*****better to dwell in a corner*** — [Proverbs 21:9](../../../kjv/proverbs/21/9).

Verse [Proverbs 25:27](../../../kjv/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 sercher of mageste, schal ben oppressid of* *glorie* - Old MS. Bible. He that searches too much into *mysteries*, is likely to be confounded by them. I really think this is the *meaning* of the place; and shall not puzzle either myself or my reader with the discordant explanations which have been brought forward with the hope of illustrating this passage.

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