1.
The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;
of. Genitive of Relation ( App-17 ), being the title or heading of the whole book, some being "for" him; others "by" him. If not, why the words of Proverbs 10:1 ? Chapters Proverbs 10:19 , Proverbs 10:19 are not to "my son", but are in the third person, "he" and "him". See App-74 , and note also other sub-headings, Proverbs 25:1 ; Proverbs 30:1 ; Proverbs 31:1 . All these are covered by the Genitive of Relation ( App-17 ).
2.
To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;
To know = For discerning. So in verses: Proverbs 1:3 , Proverbs 1:4 , Proverbs 1:6 .
wisdom. Hebrew. chokmah. There are six words rendered "wisdom" in this book.
(1) chokmah, rendered "wisdom" except in the passages below. It occurs thirty-nine times in singular, and three times in plural (Proverbs 1:20 ; Proverbs 9:1 ; Proverbs 24:7 = true wisdom); forty-two times altogether (6x7. See App-10 ).
(2) binah = discernment or discrimination. Once rendered "wisdom" (Proverbs 23:4 ). Elsewhere, in twelve passages rendered "understanding"; once "knowledge" (Proverbs 2:3 ).
(3) leb = heart; rendered "wisdom" four times (Proverbs 10:21 ; Proverbs 11:12 ; Proverbs 15:21 ; Proverbs 19:8 ).
(4) 'armah = shrewdness; rendered "wisdom" only in Proverbs 8:5 ; elsewhere only in Proverbs 1:4 rendered "subtilty"; Proverbs 1:12 rendered "prudence",
(5) sahal = prudence, or good sense, rendered "wisdom" once (Proverbs 1:3 ); and
(6) sekel = insight, rendered "wisdom" (Proverbs 12:8 ; Proverbs 23:9 ); elsewhere rendered "understanding" (Proverbs 3:4 ; Proverbs 13:15 ; Proverbs 16:22 ), and "prudence" (Proverbs 19:11 ). For "sound wisdom", see note on Proverbs 2:7 .
instruction = admonition or discipline. Sometimes rendered "chastening".
words = sayings. Hebrew. 'imrah. See App-73 .
understanding. Hebrew. binah. See note on "wisdom", Proverbs 1:2 .
3.
To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;
wisdom. Hebrew. sakal. See note on Proverbs 1:2 (No. 5), above.
4.
To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
subtilty = prudence. Same root as Genesis 3:1 . Compare Matthew 10:16 . 1 Samuel 23:22 . Not the same word as Genesis 27:35 .
simple = artless, guileless, unsuspecting. Compare verses: Proverbs 1:22 , Proverbs 1:32 , Proverbs 1:7 ; Proverbs 8:5 ; Proverbs 9:4 , Proverbs 9:16 ; Proverbs 14:15 , Proverbs 14:18 ; Proverbs 19:25 ; Proverbs 21:11 ; Proverbs 22:3 ; Proverbs 27:12 .
5.
A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
will hear. Illustrations: Eunuch (Acts 8:27 , Acts 8:39 ): Sergius Paulus (Acts 13:7 ); the Bereans (Acts 17:11 , Acts 17:12 ); Apollos (Acts 18:24-28 ).
6.
To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.
the interpretation = satire, or the point of what is said. Occurs only here and Habakkuk 2:6 .
words. Hebrew. dabar. App-73 .
7.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
fear = reverence. This expression occurs fourteen times in Proverbs (Proverbs 1:7 , Proverbs 1:29 ; Proverbs 2:5 ; Proverbs 8:13 ; Proverbs 9:10 ; Proverbs 10:27 ; Proverbs 14:26 , Proverbs 14:27 ; Proverbs 15:16 , Proverbs 15:33 ; Proverbs 16:6 ; Proverbs 19:23 ; Proverbs 22:4 ; Proverbs 23:17 ). See App-75 .
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .
the beginning. And only the "beginning", not the end. It is not "wisdom" itself. True wisdom is to justify God and condemn oneself. See note on Job 28:28 , and Compare Proverbs 9:10 . Psalms 111:10 .
fools. Hebrew. 'evil. In this book three Hebrew words are rendered "fools": (1) ' evil = lax or careless habit of mind and body. Occurs nineteen times in Proverbs, viz. here, Proverbs 7:22 ; Proverbs 10:8 , Proverbs 10:10 , Proverbs 10:14 , Proverbs 10:21 ; Proverbs 11:29 ; Proverbs 12:15 , Proverbs 12:16 ; Proverbs 14:3 , Proverbs 14:9 ; Proverbs 15:5 ; Proverbs 16:22 ; Proverbs 17:28 ; Proverbs 20:3 ; Proverbs 24:7 ; Proverbs 27:3 , Proverbs 27:22 ; Proverbs 29:9 . (2) kesil = fat, and then dense, or stupid, which comes of it, showing itself in impiety. Occurs forty-nine times in Proverbs, viz. verses: Proverbs 1:22 , Proverbs 1:32 , Pro 1:35 ; Proverbs 8:5 ; Proverbs 10:1 , Proverbs 10:18 , Proverbs 10:23 ; Proverbs 12:23 ; Proverbs 13:16 , Proverbs 13:19 , Proverbs 13:20 ; Proverbs 14:7 , Proverbs 14:8 , Proverbs 14:16 , Proverbs 14:24 , Proverbs 14:33 ; Proverbs 15:2 , Proverbs 15:7 , Proverbs 15:14 , Proverbs 15:20 ; Proverbs 17:10 , Proverbs 17:12 , Proverbs 17:16 , Proverbs 17:21 , Proverbs 17:24 , Proverbs 17:25 ; Proverbs 18:2 , Proverbs 18:6 , Proverbs 18:7 ; Proverbs 19:1 , Proverbs 19:10 , Proverbs 19:13 , Proverbs 19:29 ; Proverbs 21:20 ; Proverbs 23:9 ; Proverbs 26:1 , Proverbs 26:3 , Proverbs 26:4 , Proverbs 26:5 , Proverbs 26:6 , Proverbs 26:7 , Proverbs 26:8 , Proverbs 26:9 , Proverbs 26:10 , Proverbs 26:11 , Proverbs 26:12 ; Proverbs 28:26 ; Proverbs 29:11 , Proverbs 29:20 ; and eighteen times in Ecclesiastes. (3) nabal = a vulgar churl. Occurs only three times in Proverbs: viz. Proverbs 17:7 , Proverbs 17:21 ; Proverbs 30:22 ; not in Ecclesiastes.
despise = have always despised, &c. Illustrations: Cain (Genesis 4:6-8 ); Hophni and Phinehas (1 Samuel 2:12 , 1 Samuel 2:25 ); Nabal (1 Samuel 25:25 ); Rehoboam (1 Kings 12:13 ); Athenians (Acts 17:18 , Acts 17:32 ); Jews and Greeks (1 Corinthians 1:18 , 1 Corinthians 1:23 , 1 Corinthians 1:24 ).
8.
My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
My son. See the Structure (p. 864) for the portions so addressed (Proverbs 1:6 , Proverbs 1:9 , Proverbs 1:18 ; Pro 19:20-34 ; Proverbs 27:1 , Pro 27:29 , Proverbs 27:27 ; Proverbs 30:1 , Proverbs 30:31 , Proverbs 30:31 ). Occurs fifteen times in this member. hear, &c. Illustrations: Isaac (Genesis 48:15 ); Moses (Hebrews 11:23 ); Samuel (1 Samuel 1:28 ; 1 Samuel 2:18 ; 1 Samuel 3:19-21 ); Timothy ( 2Ti 1:5 ; 2 Timothy 3:15 .Acts 16:1 , Acts 16:2 ).
thy father. The address is educational, this being the duty of the father, corresponding with Proverbs 31:1-9 , as contrasted with "the words of the wise", also addressed to "my son" (Proverbs 19:20 , Proverbs 19:24 , Pro 19:34 ; Proverbs 27:1 , Pro 27:29 , Proverbs 27:27 ).
thy mother. Compare Proverbs 31:1-9 .
9.
For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.
they: i.e. instruction and law.
ornament = garland.
neck. Showing cheerful and willing obedience, in contrast with stiffneckedness (Exodus 32:9 ) and pride (Isaiah 3:16 ). See also Genesis 41:42 .
10.
My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.
sinners. Hebrew. chata'. App-44 .
Consent thou not: Illustrations: Joseph (Genesis 39:9 , Genesis 39:10 ); prophet (1 Kings 13:8 , 1 Kings 13:9 ); Jehoshaphat (1 Kings 22:49 , contrast 2 Chronicles 18:2 ; 2 Chronicles 20:35-37 ); Joash (2 Chronicles 24:17 , 2 Chronicles 24:18 ).
11.
If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:
blood. Figure of speech Metalepsis ( App-6 ), "blood" put for bloodshedding, and then bloodshedding put for the one whose blood was shed. See Isaiah 33:15 .
the innocent = an innocent one (singular)
without cause. Compare John 15:25 .
12.
Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:
the grave. Hebrew. sheol. App-35 .
pit. Hebrew. bor, a hole bored or dug. Hence a dry pit or grave. Compare Genesis 37:20 .
13.
We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil:
14.
Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:
15.
My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:
path. Some codices, with Aramaean, Septuagint, Syr, and Vulgate, read "paths" (plural)
16.
For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.
their feet = they. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Part), App-6 , for the persons who run. Quoted in Romans 3:15 . evil = mischief. Hebrew. rcl'a'. App-44 .
17.
Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.
in vain, &c. = it avails not. Figure of speech Paroemia. App-6 . The sight of the net does not deter the birds. They (emphatic) still go on to their capture and death. The next verse requires this sense. So men go on in their evil ways, though they know it is to their own ruin (Proverbs 1:18 ).
18.
And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives.
lives = souls. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .
19.
So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.
life = soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .
owners. Hebrew. ba'al, as in Proverbs 1:17 . The "owners" of a soul are like the "owners" of wings, and are caught in their own trap with their eyes open.
20.
Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:
(20-33) (Note the Extended Alternation in these verses). 21. The Call made. Expostulation of Wisdom with the simple. Promise to hearers. 25. The Call made. Expostulation of Wisdom with refusers. Promise to hearers.
Wisdom. Hebrew. chokmah. See note on Proverbs 1:2 .
without. The emphasis is on the publicity of her call.
streets = open or broad places, especially about the city gates (Deuteronomy 13:16 ), or open squares. Genesis 19:2 .Judges 19:15 , Jdg 19:20 ; 2 Chronicles 29:4 , &c.
21.
She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying,
saying. The Ellipsis of this verb has frequently to be supplied. See note on Psalms 109:5 .
22.
How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?
love. The second feature. The first was ignorance in Proverbs 1:7 .
23.
Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.
Turn, &c. = Turn [and listen to] my reproof.
Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos ( App-6 ), to emphasize the conditional promise.
spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 . Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject) for all spiritual blessings.
24.
Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
refused: i.e. refused [to hear], verses: Proverbs 1:24-33 .
25.
But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:
26.
I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;
I: i.e. I, Wisdom.
fear = what you fear. "Fear" put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause) App-6 , for the calamity which produced the fear. Note the Introversion in Hebrew of "fear", "desolation", "destruction", "anguish", in verses: Proverbs 1:26 , Proverbs 1:27 .
27.
When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.
desolation = tempest.
destruction = calamity.
28.
Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:
Then, &c. Illustration: Israel (Deuteronomy 1:45 , Deuteronomy 1:46 ). See also Isaiah 1:15 .Jeremiah 11:11 .Ezekiel 8:18 . Hosea 5:6 .
29.
For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:
For that = Forasmuch as.
30.
They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
31.
Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
Therefore, &c. Illustrations: Israel (Numbers 11:4-6 ;. Psalms 106:13 , Psalms 106:14 . Compare Numbers 11:20-23 and Psalms 106:15 . See also Numbers 14:44 , Numbers 14:45 ). Under Samuel ( 1Sa 8:7 , 1 Samuel 8:19 .
32.
For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
shall slay them. Illustrations: Israel (Deuteronomy 32:15-25 .Hosea 13:6-8; Hosea 13:6-8 ); Babylon (Isaiah 47:7-9 ); Moab (Jeremiah 48:11-15 ); Sodom (Ezekiel 16:49 ); Tyre (Ezekiel 28:2 , Ezekiel 28:7 ).
33.
But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.
shall dwell safely. Illustrations: Noah (Genesis 6:22 ; Genesis 7:23 .Hebrews 11:7; Hebrews 11:7 ); Shadrach, &c. (Daniel 3:25 .Psalms 138:7; Psalms 138:7 ); Daniel (Daniel 6:10 , Daniel 6:22 .Psalms 119:10; Psalms 119:10 ); Christ's sheep (John 10:28 ).
evil. Hebrew. ra'a'. App-44 .