CHAPTER 10
. Here begins the second part of the book, , which, with the third, , contains series of proverbs whose sense is complete
in one or two verses, and which, having no logical connection, admit
of no analysis. The parallelisms of are mostly antithetic; and those of , synthetic. The evidences of art in the structure are
very clear, and indicate, probably, a purpose of facilitating the
labor of memorizing.
1. wise [and] foolish—as
they follow or reject the precepts of wisdom.
maketh . . . father—or,
"gladdens a father."
heaviness—or, "grief."
2. Treasures . . . nothing—that
is, Ill-gotten gains give no true happiness (compare Proverbs 4:17;
Matthew 6:19).
righteousness—especially
beneficence (Psalms 112:9).
death—the greatest of
all evils.
3. (Compare ). The last clause is better: "He will repel the
greedy desires of the wicked."
4. slack—literally,
"deceitful," failing of its purpose (compare ).
maketh rich—(compare ).
6. Blessings—literally,
"Praises." The last clause is better: "The mouth of
the wicked covereth (or concealeth) violence (or mischievous
devices)" to be executed in due time (Psalms 5:9;
Psalms 10:7; Romans 3:14),
and hence has no praises (compare Romans 3:14).
7. blessed—literally, "for
a blessing," or praise.
shall rot—literally,
"be worm-eaten," useless and disgusting.
9. perverteth his ways—acts
deceitfully.
known—discovered and
punished.
10. Two vices contrasted;
hypocrisy, or insinuating evil against one (Proverbs 6:13;
Psalms 35:19), and rashness of
speech. In each case, the results are on the evildoers.
12. strifes—or, "litigations."
covereth—by forgiveness
and forbearance.
13. In the lips . . . found—hence,
not beaten, as the wicked-speaking fool.
void of understanding—
(Proverbs 6:32; Proverbs 7:7).
14. lay up knowledge—that is,
as treasures for good use.
mouth . . . destruction—or,
"as to the mouth," c., destruction is near they expose
themselves to evil by prating.
15. Both by trusting in
"uncertain riches" (), or by the evils of poverty (), men, not fearing God, fall into dangers.
16. The industry of the
righteous is alone truly successful, while the earnings of the wicked
tempt and lead to sin.
18. Both vices must one day be
known and punished, and hence their folly.
19. Much speech involves risk of
sin; hence the wisdom of restraining the tongue (Psalms 39:1;
James 1:26).
20. Right speech is the fruit of
a good heart, but the wicked show theirs to be useless.
23. Sin is the pleasure of the
wicked; wisdom that of the good.
24. it—the very thing. The
wicked get dreaded evil; the righteous, desired good.
26. that is, causes vexation.
28. gladness—in confidence of
realizing it.
expectation . . . perish—in
disappointment.
29. The way, &c.—that is,
God's providence sustains the righteous and overthrows the wicked ().
31. bringeth forth—literally,
"germinates" as a plant.
froward—(Compare
Proverbs 2:12; Proverbs 2:14).
cut off—as an
unproductive plant.
32. know—regard and provide
for (Psalms 1:6).
frowardness—all kinds
of deceit and ill-nature. The word is plural.
CHAPTER 10
. Here begins the second part of the book, , which, with the third, , contains series of proverbs whose sense is complete in one or two verses, and which, having no logical connection, admit of no analysis. The parallelisms of are mostly antithetic; and those of , synthetic. The evidences of art in the structure are very clear, and indicate, probably, a purpose of facilitating the labor of memorizing.
1. wise [and] foolish—as they follow or reject the precepts of wisdom.
maketh . . . father—or, "gladdens a father."
heaviness—or, "grief."
2. Treasures . . . nothing—that is, Ill-gotten gains give no true happiness (compare Proverbs 4:17; Matthew 6:19).
righteousness—especially beneficence (Psalms 112:9).
death—the greatest of all evils.
3. (Compare ). The last clause is better: "He will repel the greedy desires of the wicked."
4. slack—literally, "deceitful," failing of its purpose (compare ).
maketh rich—(compare ).
5. son—as Proverbs 1:8; Proverbs 1:10, and often.
sleepeth—in indolence, and not for rest.
causeth shame—literally, "is base" (compare Proverbs 14:35; Proverbs 17:2).
6. Blessings—literally, "Praises." The last clause is better: "The mouth of the wicked covereth (or concealeth) violence (or mischievous devices)" to be executed in due time (Psalms 5:9; Psalms 10:7; Romans 3:14), and hence has no praises (compare Romans 3:14).
7. blessed—literally, "for a blessing," or praise.
shall rot—literally, "be worm-eaten," useless and disgusting.
8. wise, c.—(compare Proverbs 9:8 Proverbs 9:9; Proverbs 9:16), opposed to
prating fool—or, "fool of lips of wicked language."
fall—headlong, suddenly.
9. perverteth his ways—acts deceitfully.
known—discovered and punished.
10. Two vices contrasted; hypocrisy, or insinuating evil against one (Proverbs 6:13; Psalms 35:19), and rashness of speech. In each case, the results are on the evildoers.
11. a well—or, "source" of good to himself and others (John 7:37; John 7:38). On last clause, see on Proverbs 10:1.
12. strifes—or, "litigations."
covereth—by forgiveness and forbearance.
13. In the lips . . . found—hence, not beaten, as the wicked-speaking fool.
void of understanding— (Proverbs 6:32; Proverbs 7:7).
14. lay up knowledge—that is, as treasures for good use.
mouth . . . destruction—or, "as to the mouth," c., destruction is near they expose themselves to evil by prating.
15. Both by trusting in "uncertain riches" (), or by the evils of poverty (), men, not fearing God, fall into dangers.
16. The industry of the righteous is alone truly successful, while the earnings of the wicked tempt and lead to sin.
17. keepeth—observes (Proverbs 3:18; Proverbs 4:22).
refuseth—or, "turns from reproof," which might direct him aright.
18. Both vices must one day be known and punished, and hence their folly.
19. Much speech involves risk of sin; hence the wisdom of restraining the tongue (Psalms 39:1; James 1:26).
20. Right speech is the fruit of a good heart, but the wicked show theirs to be useless.
21. Fools not only fail to benefit others, as do the righteous, but procure their own ruin (compare Proverbs 10:11; Proverbs 10:17; Hosea 4:6).
22. it maketh, c.—"it" is emphatic. Riches from God are without the sorrow of ill-gotten wealth (compare Ecclesiastes 2:21-23 1 Timothy 6:9; 1 Timothy 6:10; 1 Timothy 6:17).
23. Sin is the pleasure of the wicked; wisdom that of the good.
24. it—the very thing. The wicked get dreaded evil; the righteous, desired good.
25. (Compare Psalms 1:4; Psalms 37:9; Psalms 37:10; Psalms 37:36).
righteous . . . foundation—well laid and firm (Matthew 7:24; Matthew 7:25).
26. that is, causes vexation.
27. (Compare Proverbs 9:11; Psalms 55:23).
28. gladness—in confidence of realizing it.
expectation . . . perish—in disappointment.
29. The way, &c.—that is, God's providence sustains the righteous and overthrows the wicked ().
30. (Compare Proverbs 12:3; Psalms 37:9-11; Psalms 102:28).
earth—or, "land of promise."
31. bringeth forth—literally, "germinates" as a plant.
froward—(Compare Proverbs 2:12; Proverbs 2:14).
cut off—as an unproductive plant.
32. know—regard and provide for (Psalms 1:6).
frowardness—all kinds of deceit and ill-nature. The word is plural.