CHAPTER 1
. After the title the writer defines the design and nature
of the instructions of the book. He paternally invites attention to
those instructions and warns his readers against the enticements of
the wicked. In a beautiful personification, wisdom is then introduced
in a most solemn and impressive manner, publicly inviting men to
receive its teachings, warning those who reject, and encouraging
those who accept, the proffered instructions.
2. To know . . .
instruction—literally, "for knowing," that is, such
is the design of these writings.
wisdom—or the use of
the best means for the best ends, is generally employed in this book
for true piety.
instruction—discipline,
by which men are trained.
to perceive—literally,
"for perceiving," the design (as above)
understanding—that is,
words which enable one to discern good and evil.
3. To receive . . . of wisdom—For
receiving that discipline which discretion imparts. The Hebrew
for "wisdom" differs from that of , and denotes rather discreet counsel. Compare the opposite
traits of the fool (Proverbs 16:22).
justice . . . equity—all
the attributes of one upright in all his relations to God and man.
4. simple—one easily led to
good or evil; so the parallel.
young man—one
inexperienced.
subtilty—or prudence
(Proverbs 3:21; Proverbs 5:21).
discretion—literally,
"device," both qualities, either good or bad, according to
their use. Here good, as they imply wariness by which to escape evil
and find good.
5, 6. Such writings the wise,
who pursue right ends by right means, will value.
learning—not the act,
but matter of it.
wise counsels—or the
art and principles of governing.
8. My son—This paternal form
denotes a tender regard for the reader. Filial sentiments rank next
to piety towards God, and ensure most distinguished rewards (compare
Proverbs 6:20; Ephesians 6:2;
Ephesians 6:3).
10-19. A solemn warning against
temptation.
entice—literally, "open
the way."
consent . . . not—Sin
is in consenting or yielding to temptation, not in being tempted.
11-14. Murder and robbery are
given as specific illustrations.
lay wait . . . lurk
privily—express an effort and hope for successful concealment.
swallow . . . grave—utterly
destroy the victim and traces of the crime (Numbers 16:33;
Psalms 55:15). Abundant rewards of
villainy are promised as the fruits of this easy and safe course.
17-19. Men warned ought to
escape danger as birds instinctively avoid visibly spread nets. But
stupid sinners rush to their own ruin (), and, greedy of gain, succeed in the very schemes which
destroy them (1 Timothy 6:10), not
only failing to catch others, but procuring their own destruction.
20-33. Some interpreters regard
this address as the language of the Son of God under the name of
Wisdom (compare Luke 11:49).
Others think that wisdom, as the divine attribute specially employed
in acts of counsel and admonition, is here personified, and
represents God. In either case the address is a most solemn and
divine admonition, whose matter and spirit are eminently evangelical
and impressive (see on Proverbs 8:1).
Wisdom—literally,
"Wisdoms," the plural used either because of the unusual
sense, or as indicative of the great excellency of wisdom (compare Proverbs 8:1).
streets—or most public
places, not secretly.
21. The publicity further
indicated by terms designating places of most common resort.
22. simple ones—(Compare ).
simplicity—implying
ignorance.
scorners— () —who despise, as well as reject, truth.
fools—Though a
different word is used from that of , yet it is of the same meaning.
23. reproof—implying
conviction deserving it (compare , Margin).
pour out—abundantly
impart.
my spirit—whether of
wisdom personified, or of Christ, a divine agent.
25. set at naught—rejected as
of no value.
would none of—literally,
"were not willing or inclined to it."
26, 27. In their extreme
distress He will not only refuse help, but aggravate it by derision.
27. fear—the object of it.
desolation—literally,
"a tumultuous noise," denoting their utter confusion.
destruction—or calamity
(Proverbs 1:26) compared to a
whirlwind, as to fatal rapidity.
distress— (Psalms 4:1;
Psalms 44:11).
anguish—a state of
inextricable oppression, the deepest despair.
28. Now no prayers or most
diligent seeking will avail ().
29, 30. The sinner's infatuated
rejection brings his ruin.
32. turning away—that is, from
the call of Proverbs 1:23.
simple—as in Proverbs 1:23.
prosperity—quiet,
implying indifference.
33. dwell safely—literally,
"in confidence" ().
be quiet—or at ease, in
real prosperity.
from fear—without fear.
CHAPTER 1
. After the title the writer defines the design and nature of the instructions of the book. He paternally invites attention to those instructions and warns his readers against the enticements of the wicked. In a beautiful personification, wisdom is then introduced in a most solemn and impressive manner, publicly inviting men to receive its teachings, warning those who reject, and encouraging those who accept, the proffered instructions.
1-4. (See Part I).
2. To know . . . instruction—literally, "for knowing," that is, such is the design of these writings.
wisdom—or the use of the best means for the best ends, is generally employed in this book for true piety.
instruction—discipline, by which men are trained.
to perceive—literally, "for perceiving," the design (as above)
understanding—that is, words which enable one to discern good and evil.
3. To receive . . . of wisdom—For receiving that discipline which discretion imparts. The Hebrew for "wisdom" differs from that of , and denotes rather discreet counsel. Compare the opposite traits of the fool (Proverbs 16:22).
justice . . . equity—all the attributes of one upright in all his relations to God and man.
4. simple—one easily led to good or evil; so the parallel.
young man—one inexperienced.
subtilty—or prudence (Proverbs 3:21; Proverbs 5:21).
discretion—literally, "device," both qualities, either good or bad, according to their use. Here good, as they imply wariness by which to escape evil and find good.
5, 6. Such writings the wise, who pursue right ends by right means, will value.
learning—not the act, but matter of it.
wise counsels—or the art and principles of governing.
6. To understand—so as to . . . such will be the result.
interpretation—(Compare Margin).
words of the wise—(Compare Proverbs 1:2).
dark sayings—(Compare Psalms 49:4; John 16:25; and see John 16:25, Part I).
7. The fear of the Lord—the principle of true piety (compare Proverbs 2:5; Proverbs 14:26; Proverbs 14:27; Job 28:28; Psalms 34:11; Psalms 111:10; Acts 9:31).
beginning—first part, foundation.
fools—the stupid and indifferent to God's character and government; hence the wicked.
8. My son—This paternal form denotes a tender regard for the reader. Filial sentiments rank next to piety towards God, and ensure most distinguished rewards (compare Proverbs 6:20; Ephesians 6:2; Ephesians 6:3).
9. On the figures of , compare Genesis 41:42; Song of Solomon 1:10; Song of Solomon 4:9.
10-19. A solemn warning against temptation.
entice—literally, "open the way."
consent . . . not—Sin is in consenting or yielding to temptation, not in being tempted.
11-14. Murder and robbery are given as specific illustrations.
lay wait . . . lurk privily—express an effort and hope for successful concealment.
swallow . . . grave—utterly destroy the victim and traces of the crime (Numbers 16:33; Psalms 55:15). Abundant rewards of villainy are promised as the fruits of this easy and safe course.
15, 16. The society of the wicked (way or path) is dangerous. Avoid the beginnings of sin (Proverbs 4:14; Psalms 1:1; Psalms 119:101).
17-19. Men warned ought to escape danger as birds instinctively avoid visibly spread nets. But stupid sinners rush to their own ruin (), and, greedy of gain, succeed in the very schemes which destroy them (1 Timothy 6:10), not only failing to catch others, but procuring their own destruction.
20-33. Some interpreters regard this address as the language of the Son of God under the name of Wisdom (compare Luke 11:49). Others think that wisdom, as the divine attribute specially employed in acts of counsel and admonition, is here personified, and represents God. In either case the address is a most solemn and divine admonition, whose matter and spirit are eminently evangelical and impressive (see on Proverbs 8:1).
Wisdom—literally, "Wisdoms," the plural used either because of the unusual sense, or as indicative of the great excellency of wisdom (compare Proverbs 8:1).
streets—or most public places, not secretly.
21. The publicity further indicated by terms designating places of most common resort.
22. simple ones—(Compare ).
simplicity—implying ignorance.
scorners— () —who despise, as well as reject, truth.
fools—Though a different word is used from that of , yet it is of the same meaning.
23. reproof—implying conviction deserving it (compare , Margin).
pour out—abundantly impart.
my spirit—whether of wisdom personified, or of Christ, a divine agent.
24. stretched . . . hand—Earnestness, especially in beseeching, is denoted by the figure (compare Job 11:13; Psalms 68:31; Psalms 88:9).
25. set at naught—rejected as of no value.
would none of—literally, "were not willing or inclined to it."
26, 27. In their extreme distress He will not only refuse help, but aggravate it by derision.
27. fear—the object of it.
desolation—literally, "a tumultuous noise," denoting their utter confusion.
destruction—or calamity (Proverbs 1:26) compared to a whirlwind, as to fatal rapidity.
distress— (Psalms 4:1; Psalms 44:11).
anguish—a state of inextricable oppression, the deepest despair.
28. Now no prayers or most diligent seeking will avail ().
29, 30. The sinner's infatuated rejection brings his ruin.
31. fruit . . . way—result of conduct (Isaiah 3:10; Ezekiel 11:21; Romans 6:21; Galatians 6:7; Galatians 6:8).
be filled—even to repletion (Psalms 123:4).
32. turning away—that is, from the call of Proverbs 1:23.
simple—as in Proverbs 1:23.
prosperity—quiet, implying indifference.
33. dwell safely—literally, "in confidence" ().
be quiet—or at ease, in real prosperity.
from fear—without fear.