1. A good name— (, Hebrew); "good" is supplied here from .
loving favour—kind
regard, that is, of the wise and good.
3. are punished—that is, for
their temerity; for the evil is not necessarily punitive, as the
prudent might otherwise be its objects.
4. humility and the fear of the
Lord—are in apposition; one produces the other. On the results,
compare Proverbs 3:16; Proverbs 8:18.
5. he that . . . them—Those
who properly watch over their own souls are thus preserved from the
dangers which attend the way of perverse men ().
6. Train—initiate, or early
instruct.
the way—literally, "his
way," that selected for him in which he should go; for early
training secures habitual walking in it.
7. The influence of wealth sets
aside moral distinctions is implied, and, of course, disapproved
(compare Proverbs 19:6; Proverbs 21:14,
&c.).
9. a bountiful eye—that is, a
beneficent disposition.
for he giveth . . . poor—His
acts prove it.
10. Cast out—or drive away.
Scorners foster strife by taunts and revilings.
11. (Compare Margin).
pureness of heart—and
gentle, kind words win favor, even from kings.
12. preserve—or guard.
knowledge—its
principles and possessors.
overthroweth—utterly
confounds and destroys the wicked.
13. Frivolous excuses satisfy
the indolent man's conscience.
14. The mouth—or flattering
speeches (Proverbs 5:3; Proverbs 7:5)
ensnare man, as pits, beasts. God makes their own sin their
punishment.
15. is bound—or firmly fixed.
Chastisement deters from crime and so leads to reformation of
principle.
16. These two vices pertain to
the same selfish feeling. Both are deservedly odious to God and incur
punishment.
17. Here begins another division
of the book, marked by those encouragements to the pursuit of wisdom,
which are found in the earlier chapters. It will be observed that at
Proverbs 22:22-24, the
proverbs are generally expressed in two verses instead of one (see
Proverbs 22:22-20).
18. These lessons must be laid
up in the mind, and
fitted—or better,
"fixed" in the lips so as to be ever ready.
19. That . . . Lord—This is
the design of the instruction.
20. excellent things—or
probably of former times.
counsels and knowledge—both
advice and instruction.
21. Specially he desires to
secure accuracy, so that his pupil may teach others.
25. a snare . . . soul—The
unsuspecting are often misled by bad company.
27. should he take, &c.—that
is, the creditor.
CHAPTER 22
.
1. A good name— (, Hebrew); "good" is supplied here from .
loving favour—kind regard, that is, of the wise and good.
2. Before God all are on the same footing (Proverbs 14:31; Proverbs 17:5).
3. are punished—that is, for their temerity; for the evil is not necessarily punitive, as the prudent might otherwise be its objects.
4. humility and the fear of the Lord—are in apposition; one produces the other. On the results, compare Proverbs 3:16; Proverbs 8:18.
5. he that . . . them—Those who properly watch over their own souls are thus preserved from the dangers which attend the way of perverse men ().
6. Train—initiate, or early instruct.
the way—literally, "his way," that selected for him in which he should go; for early training secures habitual walking in it.
7. The influence of wealth sets aside moral distinctions is implied, and, of course, disapproved (compare Proverbs 19:6; Proverbs 21:14, &c.).
8. (Compare Proverbs 11:18; Psalms 109:16-20; Galatians 6:7; Galatians 6:8).
the rod . . . fail—His power to do evil will be destroyed.
9. a bountiful eye—that is, a beneficent disposition.
for he giveth . . . poor—His acts prove it.
10. Cast out—or drive away. Scorners foster strife by taunts and revilings.
11. (Compare Margin).
pureness of heart—and gentle, kind words win favor, even from kings.
12. preserve—or guard.
knowledge—its principles and possessors.
overthroweth—utterly confounds and destroys the wicked.
13. Frivolous excuses satisfy the indolent man's conscience.
14. The mouth—or flattering speeches (Proverbs 5:3; Proverbs 7:5) ensnare man, as pits, beasts. God makes their own sin their punishment.
15. is bound—or firmly fixed. Chastisement deters from crime and so leads to reformation of principle.
16. These two vices pertain to the same selfish feeling. Both are deservedly odious to God and incur punishment.
17. Here begins another division of the book, marked by those encouragements to the pursuit of wisdom, which are found in the earlier chapters. It will be observed that at Proverbs 22:22-24, the proverbs are generally expressed in two verses instead of one (see Proverbs 22:22-20).
18. These lessons must be laid up in the mind, and
fitted—or better, "fixed" in the lips so as to be ever ready.
19. That . . . Lord—This is the design of the instruction.
20. excellent things—or probably of former times.
counsels and knowledge—both advice and instruction.
21. Specially he desires to secure accuracy, so that his pupil may teach others.
22, 23. Here follow ten precepts of two verses each. Though men fail to defend the poor, God will (Proverbs 17:5; Psalms 12:5).
in the gate—place of public gathering (Job 5:4; Psalms 69:12).
24, 25. (Compare Proverbs 2:12-15; Proverbs 4:14).
25. a snare . . . soul—The unsuspecting are often misled by bad company.
26, 27. (Compare Proverbs 6:1; Proverbs 17:18).
27. should he take, &c.—that is, the creditor.
28. (Compare ). Do not entrench on others (Deuteronomy 19:14; Deuteronomy 27:17).
29. Success rewards diligence (Proverbs 10:4; Proverbs 21:5).