---
title: "Clarke"
description: "Verse Proverbs 29:1. Hardeneth his neck — Becomes stubborn and obstinate. Verse Proverbs 29:3. But he that keepeth company — רעה roeh, he that feedeth har"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/proverbs/29"
---

Verse [Proverbs 29:1](../../../kjv/proverbs/29/1). ***Hardeneth*****his*****neck*** — Becomes *stubborn* and *obstinate*.

Verse [Proverbs 29:3](../../../kjv/proverbs/29/3). ***But he that keepeth company*** — רעה *roeh*, he that *feedeth harlots*, יאבד yeabed, shall utterly destroy his substance. Has there ever been a single case to the *contrary*?

Verse [Proverbs 29:4](../../../kjv/proverbs/29/4). ***He that receiveth gifts*** — This was notoriously the case in this kingdom, before the passing of the *Magna Charta*, or *great* *charter of liberties*. Hence that article in it, Nulli vendemus justitiam; "We will not sell justice to any." I have met with cases in our ancient records where, in order to get his *right*, a man was obliged almost to ruin himself in *presents to the king,* *queen, and their favourites*, to get the case decided in his favour.

Verse [Proverbs 29:5](../../../kjv/proverbs/29/5). ***Spreadeth a net for his feet.*** — Beware of a flatterer; he does not flatter merely to please you, but to *deceive you* and *profit himself*.

Verse [Proverbs 29:9](../../../kjv/proverbs/29/9). ***Whether he rage or laugh*** — *Coverdale* translates, "Yf a wyse man go to lawe with a foole, whether he deale with him frendly or roughly he geteth no rest."

Verse [Proverbs 29:11](../../../kjv/proverbs/29/11). ***A fool uttereth all his mind*** — A man should be careful to keep his *own secret*, and never tell his whole mind upon any subject, while there are other opinions yet to be delivered; else, if he speak *again*, he must go over his old ground; and as he brings out nothing *new*, he injures his former *argument*.

Verse [Proverbs 29:12](../../../kjv/proverbs/29/12). ***If a ruler hearken to lies*** — Wherever the system of *espionage* is permitted to prevail, there the system of *falsity* is established; for he who is capable of being a *spy* and informer, is not only capable of telling and swearing lies, but also of cutting his king's or even his *father's* throat. I have seen cases, where the *same spy* received pay from both parties, and deceived both.

Verse [Proverbs 29:13](../../../kjv/proverbs/29/13). ***The poor and the deceitful man*** — It is difficult to fix the meaning of תככים *techachim*, which we here render the *deceitful* *man*. The TARGUM has, "The *poor* and the *man* of LITTLE WEALTH." The SEPTUAGINT, "The *usurer* and the DEBTOR." The VULGATE, "The *poor* and CREDITOR." COVERDALE, "The *poor* and the LENDER." OTHERS, "The *poor* and the RICH;" "The *poor* and the OPPRESSORS." I suppose the meaning may be the same as in [Proverbs 22:2](../../../kjv/proverbs/22/2): "The rich and the poor meet together; the Lord is the Maker of them all." Where see the note.

Verse [Proverbs 29:16](../../../kjv/proverbs/29/16). ***When the wicked are multiplied*** — That, in the *multiplication of the wicked transgression is increased*, requires no proof; but an important doctrine attaches to this. On this account wicked nations and wicked families are cut off and rooted out. Were it not so righteousness would in process of time be banished from the earth. This will account for many of the numerous instances in which whole families fail.

Verse [Proverbs 29:18](../../../kjv/proverbs/29/18). ***Where*****there is*****no vision*** — My old MS. Bible, following the *Vulgate*, translates: *Whan prophecye schal failen, the peple* *schal ben to scatered*. Where Divine revelation, and the faithful preaching of the sacred testimonies, are neither reverenced nor attended, the ruin of that land is at no great distance.
***But he that keepeth the law, happy*****is*****he.*** — Go how it may with others, *he* shall be safe. So our Lord: "Blessed are they who hear the word of God, and keep it."

Verse [Proverbs 29:21](../../../kjv/proverbs/29/21). ***He that delicately bringeth up his servant*** — Such persons are generally forgetful of their obligations, assume the rights and privileges of children, and are seldom good for any thing.

Verse [Proverbs 29:22](../../../kjv/proverbs/29/22). ***An angry man stirreth up strife*** — His spirit begets its *like* wherever he goes.
***And a furious man aboundeth in transgression.*** — His furious spirit is always carrying him into *extremes*, and each of these is a *transgression*.

Verse [Proverbs 29:23](../../../kjv/proverbs/29/23). ***A man's pride shall bring him low*** — A proud man is universally despised, and such are often exposed to great mortifications.

Verse [Proverbs 29:24](../../../kjv/proverbs/29/24). ***Hateth his own soul*** — נפשו *naphsho*, his *life*, as the outraged law may at any time seize on and put him to *death*.
***He heareth cursing*** — אלה *alah*, the *execration* or *adjuration*, (for all culprits were *charged, as before God*, to *tell the truth*,) ולא יגד velo yaggid, but HE will not tell IT. He has no fear of God, nor reverence for an oath, because his heart is hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

Verse [Proverbs 29:25](../../../kjv/proverbs/29/25). ***The fear of man bringeth a snare*** — How often has this led weak men, though *sincere* in their general character, to deny their God, and abjure his people! See the case of *Peter*; and learn from this, O reader, that where the mighty have been slain, *thou* wilt fall, unless thou call on the Strong for *strength*, and for *courage* to use it. Be not ashamed of JESUS nor of his *people*, nor of his *cross*. Glory in this, that thou knowest *him*, art joined to *them*, and art counted worthy to bear it.

Verse [Proverbs 29:26](../../../kjv/proverbs/29/26). ***Many seek the ruler's favour*** — To be screened from the punishment determined by the law; but should *he* grant the favour sought, and pardon the criminal, this takes not away his guilt in the sight of God, from whom all just judgment proceeds.

Verse [Proverbs 29:27](../../../kjv/proverbs/29/27). ***And*****he that is*****upright in the way*** — "But as for those that be in the right waye, the wicked hate them."-COVERDALE.
To this verse the VULGATE adds the following: *Verbum custodiens* *filius extra perditionem erit*; "The son that keeps the word shall not fall into perdition." This is not in *all copies* of the Vulgate: but it was in that from which my old MS. Bible was made, where it is thus translated: *The sone keping the worde schal ben* *out of perdicyon*. I believe *verbum* here is intended for the Divine *word*; the revelation from God.

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