---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Proverbs 21"
description: "CHAPTER 21   :-. 1. rivers—irrigating channels
(Psalms 1:3), whose course was
easily turned (compare Deuteronomy 11:10).
God disposes even kings as He ple"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/proverbs/21"
---

CHAPTER 21

.

**1. rivers**—irrigating channels
([Psalms 1:3](../../../kjv/psalms/1/3)), whose course was
easily turned (compare [Deuteronomy 11:10](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/11/10)).
God disposes even kings as He pleases ([Proverbs 16:9](../../../kjv/proverbs/16/9);
[Psalms 33:15](../../../kjv/psalms/33/15)).

**2.** (Compare [Proverbs 14:2](../../../kjv/proverbs/14/2);
[Proverbs 16:2-25](../../../kjv/proverbs/16/2-25)).

**3.** (Compare [Psalms 50:7-15](../../../kjv/psalms/50/7-15);
[Isaiah 1:11](../../../kjv/isaiah/1/11); [Isaiah 1:17](../../../kjv/isaiah/1/17)).

**4. high look**—(Compare *Margin;*
[Psalms 131:1](../../../kjv/psalms/131/1)).
**proud heart**—or, "heart
of breadth," one that is swollen (compare [Psalms 131:1](../../../kjv/psalms/131/1)).
**ploughing**—better
"lamp," a frequent figure for prosperity ([Psalms 131:1](../../../kjv/psalms/131/1)); hence joy or delight.

**5.** The contrast is between
steady industry and rashness (compare ).

**6. The getting**—or, "what
is obtained" (compare [Job 7:2](../../../kjv/job/7/2);
[Jeremiah 22:13](../../../kjv/jeremiah/22/13), *Hebrew*).
**vanity . . . to and fro**—as
fleeting as chaff or stubble in the wind (compare [Proverbs 20:17-21](../../../kjv/proverbs/20/17-21);
[Psalms 62:10](../../../kjv/psalms/62/10)). Such gettings are
unsatisfactory.
**them . . . death**—act as
if they did ([Proverbs 8:36](../../../kjv/proverbs/8/36); [Proverbs 17:19](../../../kjv/proverbs/17/19)).

**7. robbery**—or, "destruction,"
especially oppression, of which they are authors.
**shall destroy**—literally,
"cut with a saw" (), that is, utterly ruin them. Their sins shall be visited on
them in kind.
**to do judgment**—what is
just and right.

**8. of man**—any one; his way is
opposed to truth, and also estranged from it. The pure proves himself
such by his right conduct.

**9. corner**—a turret or arbor on
the roof.
**brawling**—or
contentious.
**wide house**—literally,
"house of fellowship," large enough for several families.

**10.** So strongly does he desire
to do evil ([Psalms 10:3](../../../kjv/psalms/10/3); [Ecclesiastes 8:11](../../../kjv/ecclesiastes/8/11)),
that he will not even spare his friend if in his way.

**11.** (Compare ). That which the simple learn by the terrors of punishment,
the wise learn by teaching.

**12.** (Compare [Psalms 37:35-38](../../../kjv/psalms/37/35-38);
[Psalms 73:17](../../../kjv/psalms/73/17); [Psalms 73:20](../../../kjv/psalms/73/20)).
**house**—family or
interests.
**overthroweth**—either
supply "God" (compare [Psalms 73:20](../../../kjv/psalms/73/20)), or the word is used impersonally.

**13.** The principles of
retribution, often taught (compare [Psalms 18:26](../../../kjv/psalms/18/26);
[Matthew 7:1-12](../../../kjv/matthew/7/1-12)).

**14.** The effect of bribery () is enhanced by secrecy, as the bribed person does not wish
his motives made known.

**15.** But the just love right and
need no bribes. The wicked at last meet destruction, though for a
time happy in concealing corruption.

**16. the way of
understanding**—(Compare [Proverbs 12:26](../../../kjv/proverbs/12/26);
[Proverbs 14:22](../../../kjv/proverbs/14/22)).
**remain**—that is, rest as
at a journey's end; death will be his unchanging home.

**17.** Costly luxuries impoverish.

**18.** (Compare ). By suffering what they had devised for the righteous, or
brought on them, the wicked became their ransom, in the usual sense
of substitutes (compare [Joshua 7:26](../../../kjv/joshua/7/26);
[Esther 7:9](../../../kjv/esther/7/9)).

**19.** (Compare ).
**wilderness**—pasture,
though uninhabitable ground ().

**20.** The wise, by diligence and
care, lay up and increase wealth, while fools
**spend**—literally,
"swallow it up," greedily.

**21.** He who tries to act justly
and kindly ([Psalms 34:14](../../../kjv/psalms/34/14)) will
prosper and obtain justice and honor.

**22.** "Wisdom is better than
strength" ([Ecclesiastes 7:19](../../../kjv/ecclesiastes/7/19);
[Ecclesiastes 9:15](../../../kjv/ecclesiastes/9/15)).
**strength . . . thereof**—that
in which they confide.

**23.** (Compare [Proverbs 13:2](../../../kjv/proverbs/13/2);
[Proverbs 13:3](../../../kjv/proverbs/13/3); [James 3:6-10](../../../kjv/james/3/6-10)).

**24.** The reproachful name is
deserved by those who treat others with anger and contempt.

**25. desire**—that is, of ease
and idleness brings him to starvation.

**26.** The sin of covetousness
marks the sluggard, as the virtue of benevolence the righteous.

**27.** God regards the heart, and
hypocrisy is more odious than open inconsistency.
**wicked mind**—or,
"design" ([Proverbs 1:4](../../../kjv/proverbs/1/4)).

**28.** (Compare ).
**that heareth**—or heeds
instruction, and so grows wise.
**speaketh constantly**—or
sincerely (compare [Habakkuk 1:5](../../../kjv/habakkuk/1/5)), and
hence is believed ([Proverbs 12:19](../../../kjv/proverbs/12/19);
[James 1:19](../../../kjv/james/1/19)).

**29. hardeneth his face**—is
obstinate.
**directeth . . . way**—considers
it, and acts advisedly.

**30, 31.** Men's best devices and
reliances are vain compared with God's, or without His aid ([Proverbs 19:21](../../../kjv/proverbs/19/21);
[Psalms 20:7](../../../kjv/psalms/20/7); [Psalms 33:17](../../../kjv/psalms/33/17)).

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