1.
The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son maketh a glad father: but a foolish son is the heaviness of his mother.
2.
Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.
wickedness = lawlessness. Hebrew. rasha'. App-44 .
profit nothing. Illustrations: Rehoboam (2 Chronicles 12:1-4 , 2 Chronicles 12:9 ); Gehazi (2 Kings 5:20-27 . 2 Kings 21:6 ); Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:31 , Daniel 4:33 ; Belshazzar (Daniel 5 ); the Rich FoolLuk 12:20, Luke 12:21 . Compare Luke 16:23 , Luke 16:24 ). Compare Proverbs 11:28 .
righteousness delivereth, &c. Illustrations: Daniel (Proverbs 6:22-30 . Compare Proverbs 13:6 ); Noah (Genesis 7:1 .Hebrews 11:7; Hebrews 11:7 ).
death. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Effect), for the things which lead to death.
3.
The LORD will not suffer the soul of the righteous to famish: but he casteth away the substance of the wicked.
will not suffer, &c. Illustrations: Elijah (1 Kings 17 ); David (2 Samuel 17:27-29 ).
soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .
the righteous = a righteous one.
casteth away = repel, &c. Illustrations: Israel (Judges 6:1-4 ); Samaria (1 Kings 18:2 . 2 Kings 6:5 ); Jerusalem (Lamentations 5:10 . Zephaniah 1:18 ); the Chaldeans (Habakkuk 2:8 ).
the wicked = lawless ones. Hebrew. rasha'. App-44 .
4.
He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.
poor = needy. Hebrew. rush. See note on Proverbs 6:11 ,
slack = deceitful. Asm Proverbs 12:24 .Psalms 52:2 ; Psalms 120:2 , Hosea 7:16 .
5.
He that gathereth in summer is a wise son: but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.
gathereth in summer, &c. Illustrations: Isaac (Genesis 18:19 ); Joseph (Genesis 47:12 ); Timothy (2 Timothy 3:15 .Acts 16:1 , Acts 16:2 ).
sleepeth in harvest. Compare Proverbs 24:30-34 .
6.
Blessings are upon the head of the just: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
Blessings: not simply good things, but good things bestowed by another.
head. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Part), App-6 , for the whole person.
the just = a just one.
violence, &c.: or, the mouth of lawless ones conceal violence.
7.
The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.
The memory = What is remembered of him; not what he remembers; see Psalms 146:4 . Illustrations: Elisha (2 Kings 13:21 ); Jehoiada (2 Chronicles 24:15 , 2 Chronicles 24:16 ); the woman (Mark 14:9 ); Mary (Luke 1:28 , Luke 1:48 ); Dorcas (Acts 9:36 , Acts 9:39 . Compare Proverbs 22:1 ; Antipas (Revelation 2:13 ).
the name, &c. Illustrations: Balaam (2 Peter 2:15 .Jude 1:11 .Revelation 2:14; Revelation 2:14 ); Ahaz (2 Chronicles 28:22 ); Athaliah (2 Chronicles 24:7 ); Herod (Acts 12:22 , Acts 12:23 . Compare Psalms 9:16 ).
8.
The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.
will receive, &c. Illustrations: Abraham (Genesis 22 , Hebrews 11:8 , Hebrews 11:17 ); David (2 Samuel 7 ); widow (1 Kings 17:10-16 ); Rechabites (Jeremiah 35:6-10 . Compare Proverbs 23:22 ).
a prating fool = a fool (Hebrew. 'evil. See note on Proverbs 1:7 ) of lips: lips put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for what is spoken by them. Illustrations: Korah, &c. (Numbers 16 ); Diotrephes (3 John 1:9-10 ). Compare 2 Peter 2:10 . Jude 1:13 .
9.
He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.
uprightly = in integrity.
10.
He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall.
11.
The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
mouth. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for what is spoken by it.
12.
Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.
Hatred stirreth up strifes. Illustrations: Ishmael (Genesis 21:9-14 .Galatians 1:4 , Gal 1:29 ); Jews (Acts 13:50 ; Acts 14:2-4 ; Acts 17:5 , Acts 17:13 ).
love covereth. The opposite action. Compare 1 Corinthians 13:4 . Illustrations: Joseph (Genesis 40:15 . Compare Pro 45:5-8 . Proverbs 17:9 ; Proverbs 19:11 ); David (2 Samuel 1 ); Paul (Philemon); Christ (Matthew 26:41 .Mark 16:7 . John 20:25-27 ; John 21:15-19 , &c.)
sins. Hebrew. pasha'. App-44 .
13.
In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.
lips. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for what is spoken by them.
understanding. Hebrew "heart", put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), App-6 , for understanding.
foolish. Same word as in Proverbs 10:8 .
14.
Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.
15.
The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty.
his strong city. Hebrew city of his strength. Figure of speech Antimereia. App-6 .
destruction = that which destroys them. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Effect).
poor = weak. Hebrew. dal. See note on Proverbs 6:11 .
poverty = rush. See note on Proverbs 6:11 .
16.
The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.
fruit = produce.
the wicked = a lawless one.
sin. Hebrew. chata App-44 .
17.
He is in the way of life that keepeth instruction: but he that refuseth reproof erreth.
refuseth. Some codices read "hateth".
erreth = leadeth astray.
18.
He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.
19.
In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.
wanteth not sin = lacketh not sin. Illustrations: Job ( Pro 32:2 ; Pro 34:5 , Pro 34:12 ; Pro 35:16 ; Pro 42:3 ); Job's friends ( Pro 32:3 ; Pro 42:7 , Pro 42:8 ); the widows (1 Timothy 5:13 ). Of the "Twelve", the one who spake most (Peter) erred most (Matthew 16:22 ; Matthew 26:74 ).
refraineth = restraineth. Illustrations: Eleazar (Genesis 24:21 . Compare Proverbs 4:26 ; Proverbs 15:28 ); Aaron (Leviticus 10:3 ); Saul (1 Samuel 10:27 . Compare Proverbs 11:12 ).
20.
The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.
tongue. Put by Fig;. Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for what is spoken by it.
21.
The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.
feed = shepherd: i.e. instruct. Illustrations: Job (Proverbs 4:3 , Proverbs 4:4 ; Proverbs 29:21 , Proverbs 29:22 ); David (Psalms 78:70-72 ); Peter (Acts 4:1-4 ); Philip (Acts 8:5-8 ); Paul and Barnabas (Acts 11:26 ; Acts 14:22-28 ); Judas and Silas (Acts 15:32 , Acts 15:33 ).
for = through.
wisdom: Hebrew "heart", put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), App-6 , for understanding.
22.
The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.
it = itself: i.e. the uttered blessing, like the "words of the wise".
23.
It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.
But. Supply Figure of speech Ellipsis ( App-6 ), "But [to exercise] wisdom [is as sport] to a man of understanding".
man. Hebrew. 'ish. App-14 .
understanding . . . wisdom. See note on Proverbs 1:2 .
24.
The fear of the wicked, it shall come upon him: but the desire of the righteous shall be granted.
the righteous = righteous ones.
shall be granted. Illustrations: Hannah (1 Samuel 1:20 ); Esther (Proverbs 4:16 ; Proverbs 8:15-17 ); Daniel ( Pro 2:16-23 ); Simeon (Luke 2:25-30 ).
25.
As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation.
As the whirlwind passeth, &c. Illustrations: Genesis 7:21-23 (compare Matthew 24:37-39 . Luke 17:26 , Luke 17:27 ); Elah (1 Kings 16:7-10 ); Sennacherib (2 Kings 19:35-37 ).
an everlasting foundation. Compare Matthew 7:24-27 .
26.
As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him.
smoke. In Eastern tents and houses, wood or charcoal fires, and no chimneys.
27.
The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.
The fear of the LORD. See note on Proverbs 1:7 .
prolongeth days = increaseth days; not necessarily in number, but in greater value and importance.
shortened = cut down, or made little, as in Isaiah 50:2 ; Isaiah 59:1 .Micah 2:7 . Numbers 11:23 ; Numbers 21:4 . (discouraged). Judges 10:16 (grieved); Proverbs 16:16 (vexed). Job 21:4 (troubled). Zechariah 11:8 (loathed). Psalms 102:23 , where it refers to affliction, not to continued living.
28.
The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.
The hope of the righteous, &c. Illustrations: Abraham (Romans 4:18-20 ); Joseph (Psalms 105:17-21 ); Hezekiah (Psalms 126 ); Daniel (Proverbs 6:10 ).
hope. Hebrew. yahal = an unlikely hope.
expectation = confidence. Hebrew. tikvah = a likely hope. Illustrations: Goliath (1 Samuel 17:44 , 1 Samuel 17:51 ); Athaliah (2 Kings 11:1-16 ); Sennacherib (2 Kings 19:23 , 2 Kings 19:37 ; 2 Chronicles 32:21 ); Herod (Matthew 2:16 ).
29.
The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.
the upright = an upright one.
destruction = ruin. Illustrations: Saul ( 1Ch 10:13 , 1 Chronicles 10:14 . 1 Chronicles 11:3 ); Jeroboam (1 Kings 14:7-11 .Isaiah 50:11; Isaiah 50:11 ).
iniquity. Hebrew. 'aven. App-44 .
30.
The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.
removed = moved, or shaken.
earth: or land [of promise].
31.
The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.
just = righteous, as in verses: Proverbs 10:30 , Proverbs 10:32 .
bringeth forth: i.e. as a plant.
froward. See note on Proverbs 2:12 .
cut out = cut off as unproductive.
32.
The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.
frowardness. See note on Proverbs 2:12 . Here plural = great [perverseness].